Gone are the days when female protagonists such as Ally McBeal and Carrie Bradshaw ruled the tube. The quixotic sentiment is still there, but these days, Ally is a metrosexual man, her micro mini supplanted by multilayered T-shirts, tailored blazers and product-sculpted hair.
Despite his seemingly complete life, good career, his trusty friends and gym-enhanced physique, all he really wants is the right woman.
“Men are the new women,” says Max Mutchnick, co-executive producer of one of the latest guy-centered shows, “Four Kings.” “I’m so bored with guys on TV portrayed as kegger-crazed Neanderthals. It’s refreshing writing for men too old to live with their parents and too young to be married.”
Mutchnick isn’t alone. After the relative successes of CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother” and ABC’s “Freddie,” several TV networks are eager to invest time, money and promotional muscle in romantic, fraternal and funny young-dude sitcoms.
Developing smart, youthful comedies for men is lucrative, too–or at least that’s what network execs are gunning for in airing fare such as NBC’s “Four Kings,” ABC’s retooled “Jake in Progress,” which returns to prime time Monday, and CBS’ 60-minute guy comedy “Love Monkey,” which debuts Tuesday.
TV’s NEW MUSCLE
When two separate sitcoms use the term “suit up,” which means to throw on a suit to troll for ladies, there has to be a trend. Here are the deets for some of the young-dude TV shows. [THE DETROIT NEWS].
“Love Monkey”
DEBUTS 9 P.M. TUESDAY, CBS
Romantic protagonist: Tom (Thomas Cavanagh), a New York record executive
Wisecracking sidekick: Shooter (Larenz Tate)
Catchphrase: “Grant’s Law,” based on actor Hugh Grant, refers to man’s supposed inability to be happy with just one woman, and constantly looking for the next, better, newer one.
“How I Met Your Mother”
7:30 P.M. MONDAYS, CBS
Romantic protagonist: Ted (Josh Radnor), a New York architect
Wisecracking sidekick: Barney (Neil Patrick Harris)
Catchphrase: The “Lemon Law” allows you to bail on any date in the first five minutes, no questions asked.
“Jake in Progress”
8:30 P.M. MONDAYS, ABC
Romantic protagonist: Jake (John Stamos), New York publicist
Wisecracking sidekick: Mark (Dondre T. Whitfield)
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Catchphrases: “Come inside,” to huddle close and talk; “dream killer,” someone who douses hopes.
“Four Kings”
7:30 P.M. THURSDAYS, NBC
Romantic protagonist: Ben (Josh Cooke), a New York journalist
Wisecracking sidekick: Barry (Seth Green)
Catchphrases: “Slow clap,” to mock someone with slow applause; “chest,” a game where a guy punches a friend in the chest and runs away.
“Freddie”
7:30 P.M. WEDNESDAYS (USUALLY), ABC
Romantic protagonist: Freddie (Freddie Prinze Jr.), a Chicago chef
Wisecracking sidekick: Chris (Brian Austin Green)
Catchphrase: “Stupid works for me.”