By Dean Robbins
Michael’s brothers create reality series
Last spring, members of the Jackson family decided to create a reality series. Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Marlon would reunite the Jackson 5, even though an important member — actually, the only important member, Michael — had opted out. This was garden-variety Jackson tackiness, but they outdid themselves by continuing the project after Michael’s sudden death in June.
“The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty” (Sunday, 8 p.m., A&E) allows us to watch these four overgrown children bicker, flounder in the studio, and work out 40-year-old issues important to no one but themselves. The most stunning moment to date is the brothers’ whitewashing of father Joe, the tyrant whom Michael blamed for making his life a living hell. “Everything he did for his family turned out to be a success,” says Tito, apparently forgetting about several decades’ worth of Jackson problems. “So how wrong could it be?”
One wishes Michael were around to provide an honest answer to that question.
‘Men of a Certain Age’
Monday, 9 p.m. (TNT)
Have you checked out Ray Romano’s comic drama, like I told you to? I expected the quality to dip after the brilliant pilot, but the series just keeps getting better. We’re watching a TV classic in the making, my friends, provided the public tunes in. (Hint, hint.)
“Men of a Certain Age” is about three friends sagging in middle age. In this week’s episode, each has a shot at that most elusive of goals — happiness. Joe (Romano) makes progress in his awkward relationship with his young son. Car salesman Owen (Andre Braugher) is determined to satisfy his customers and bachelor Terry (Scott Bakula) takes an acting gig as a married man and starts to get comfortable in the role.
In each case the glow fades, but it doesn’t disappear completely. The episode gives you the sense that happiness is possible, in spite of adult cares and responsibilities.
How rare is that? Like Owen, “Men of a Certain Age” deserves our thanks. CV
