The Mind of the Married Man

The majority of us guys are not equipped for the great task of committing to one woman, and even less do we manage the skills of communication. This makes married life pretty troublesome and sometimes even awkward. If someone has any doubts, just check the recent divorce rate in the U.S. (over 60%, granted not all male fault). This show blew me away with its first season, it was honest, candid, and completely from the male perspective. Great casting, writing and development of the characters the way Sex & the City once did--by portraying their inner life--contributed to the brief success of MMM. The witty writing drilled way down to the great oil seas of "man thinking", where oil can be found, but it could just as well kill all the sea life in the North Atlantic. The development was great until the second season when a few baby seals were already dying. Throughout the second season focus tended to shift towards the female point of view with Mike's wife having an affair and Jake getting a divorce. But, the focus was still on the miserable male. The anti-hero perhaps. Who knew what the right thing was, but, couldn't think clearly since other parts of the body than the brain was clearly doing all the thinking. The writers did, however, stray off course and steered the show towards very hazardous waters. Hence, driving into an ice berg called the third season. This was a great show, the chemistry was there, and as "KWC619" says it came off ass "crude done tastefully". This, if any show, was a hell of a conversation starter at any dinner party that included couples and a true television experience. I sincerely hope they will release the two seasons on DVD so more people could enjoy it.

This is the best show I've seen on t.v. in a long time. I just don't understand the negativity that i've seen in reviews (NY Post reviewer had already made up her mind by reading the script)and by comments on message boards. I'm a 32 year old professional and the conversations these characters have ring true. The only reason I can come up with that people don't like this show, is 1) they are threatened women, 2) they are threatened women masquerading as men, 3) think that "Friends" is a real hoot, 'nuff said on that one. If HBO doesn't renew this show for another season, then what? Oooohhhh, I can't wait for another showing of Short Circuit 2, or please anything with Steve Gutenberg! Come on people, the reason that entertainment is in such a sorry state is that people just hate to think and be entertained at the same time. I can't believe I wasted time writing this, but wanted to balance the negative reviews. Mind of the Married Man rocks! If you like Woody Allen, Animal House, Caddyshack, Dean Martin Roasts, Golf, NFL, NHL, and HATE Barbra Streisand, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Kmetko, Alec Baldwin (any Baldwin for that matter), Men's Health Mag, Al Gore, and Hillary, then give it a try.

I was reluctant to watch this show at first, fearing it would be overly manly and leaking with testosterone(yes I am a guy) as a sort of opposite to Sex in the City or maybe even a retaliation to such a program. To my pleasant surprise, though, the show packs plenty of humor, smart writing, and top notch acting. I had never been one to watch HBO original series, feeling they were out of place on a channel now inappropriately named Home Box Office that was originally meant to air uncut movies. This show turned me around though, and I look forward to when it comes on.

The main character, Micky(played by Mike Binder) is a man that I think most of us guys can identify with somehow, whether it be through his constant questioning of his own commitment to his beloved wife or, for a change of pace, not his trouble understanding woman, but in understanding himself as a man. Claims that the show is unrealistic are only true in that a lot of us may not take the chances that Micky takes and that his two friends seem to be very much playing his Id and Super Ego almost too perfectly. The lack of realism in those ways, though, is a blessed thing, for if they wasn't there, the viewer would not be able to truly understand the importance of fidelity, of love, and sacrifice which make up the theme of the series. I mean, if the show were completely realistic, then we may as well stick to our own mystifying experience and enjoy our lack of answers. The show is designed just so that it retains those necessary pieces of realism, but also takes the viewer out of reality for the purposes of showing where men make their mistakes, when they do something right, and when, most importantly, they think they are doing something wrong which is completely natural and forgivable.

Mike Binder, also the creator and director of the show, gives us a chance to truly peer into Mickey's mind and allows us to witness what may happen if we did, in fact, happen to take that invitation into an attractive strangers apartment. He shows us what his fantasies are, where his guilt comes from, and how much he truly does love his wife and strives to be the perfect husband, as well as father. Overall, the show has a message that is both positive and heart warming. It gives hope to the worrisome man, and insight to the confused wife. The acting is superb, as well as the writing. I would go into more detail, but I'm spent. Give it a chance. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

I would hate for women to watch this show and think; "So this is what men are like when us women are not around, how informative."

It also hails women as having it 'more together,' and as being smarter than men, just because these particular men are losers. It also seems that on this show, men can't keep from cheating or almost cheating.

It's just plain sexist in my humble opinion. I feel like the main character is a jackass ambassador speaking on my behalf.

This is a great show. I love it, and I know that in time this will be seen as one of the top comedies on HBO. I find it so funny. It's on Signature now in reruns and coming back this summer and I for one can't wait. Mike Binder and Sonya Walger give such a realistic look at the imperfection of marriage. I am a big fan of his and wrote a review here of his HBO movie and I feel that I should weigh in on his show as well. He's getting the guy side of marriage an airing and I know that upsets a lot of people but my wife and I think it's funny and healthy for this side to be shown. ( I sit through Sex in the CIty with her, it's only fair) Watch the show. It's brilliant.