Shows about women, and the fears and challenges they face as they near middle-age, abound. But this delightful show, now starting it's second season, bluntly and honestly follows the stories of three men of that "certain age"--and what it means to look back, and look forward, and figure out where in the hell they go from here.
I won't go into details of the show. You can check out http://www.tnt.tv/series/menofacertainage/about/?contentId=52922 for that. All I can say is Ray Romano, Andre Braugher, and Scott Bakula: Thank You. Quality actors doing quality work. On basic cable TV. It's a rare event.
What really makes this show so special for me is that these guys are just so average. They are crinkly and a bit paunchy (well, except for Bakula). They have huge personality flaws. They make massive mistakes. But because the cast are seasoned and successful television actors, there is a richness and realness to each situation. No powdered lenses, just a grainy sense of day to day life.
When Owen (Andre Braugher), frees himself from working for his father in a job he hates and steps out on his own--all while the theme from Rocky plays loudly--well, I was literally cheering and clapping out loud. We've all been there. Or we wish we had. It's just from the heart.
I've heard that the main audience for "Men of a Certain Age" is women. It's even on opposite Monday Night Football, so TNT seems to understand that. Maybe we miss Carrie and the gang and all that "Sex and the City". There are certainly elements of "Men" that touch on the same nerves (though on a much more PG-13 level). There are even the same heart-to-hearts in the cafe, like on "Sex". Can we only be brutally honest with each other if we are eating? Maybe that's just the only time that we are actually still, face each other, and have hands too busy for our iphones.
I don't know exactly why I feel so vested in this certain group of men. Maybe they are just good actors. All I know is that I care about what happens to them next. I care where they go from here. I talk to the TV. Give them advice. Sometimes they listen. Other times, nooooo.
TV is not where I turn most of the time, but some shows are worth it. Men of a Certain Age is one of them. It doesn't just make me laugh, but it makes me feel that I'm not alone. Sitting well in the middle of my own mid-life crisis days, I understand what these men are going through. Re-evaluating life. Wondering why in the world I am investing my time and energy in the things I do. Am I even on the right path? Watching Joe, Owen, and Terry stagger along blindly helps. It's cathartic. It is chocolate media for my soul.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Laughing Club of India
I have a big, hearty laugh, and I'm not afraid to use it. I've heard over the years about the healing power of laughter and positive emotions, and I've personally felt the change that can come from letting myself be lifted out of a dark mood by watching a silly movie or chatting with an upbeat friend. Thinking about all of this and what film I'd like to share today, I have to highly recommend the documentary "The Laughing Club of India," directed by Mira Nair ("Monsoon Wedding" and "The Namesake").
These clubs were begun in 1995 by cardiologist Madan Kataria, who was inspired by the features in Reader's Digest magazine about laughter being the best medicine. Lovingly known as the Guru of Giggle, Dr. Kataria is continuing to meet with people around the world to share his program of "Laughter Yoga." What began with five people is now an international phenomenon with 6000 clubs in 60 countries.
This short film explores how these clubs have lifted the lives of those who participate in them, many every single morning. One woman shares that these clubs are important because Indian society is so full of rules and taboos that a bit of nonsense is vital. Another, a widow with 20 extended family members living in her home, goes up to the roof and has a club of one--heartily laughing all alone, with her arms thrown wide.
The clubs follow a set of routine laughing exercises that start small and build, interwoven with more traditional meditation and yoga techniques. My favorite is one where you open your mouth wide, stick out your tongue as far as you can, throw up your hands and say ha-ha-ha loudly. If there's a group with you, it helps to walk around and slap high-5's with each other. The film shows how difficult this is for many of the older Indian women, and they often broke into girlish giggles--maybe because society as a whole has taught them to keep their feelings to themselves. But in Laughter Yoga they are encouraged to mingle and be silly with those from a variety of castes, sexes, ages, and social levels.
That is another point of the clubs. It is a social gathering that brings people together and forms relationships. One participant says that to win over a sad heart is the only way to make your life worthwhile. One grandmother says that these clubs return her to more innocent and childlike feelings. "If I become a child again," she says, "I will not fear death."
And I'd be remiss not to mention that many participants discuss how their health has been improved through this activity. One says that it cleanses the blood stream. Another says it dramatically increased the healing of her cancer.
An uplifted, joy-filled existence is just more resilient. The cares of this world fall away when we are laughing and enjoying the company of others. I dare you to watch "The Laughing Club of India" without laughing yourself. It is definitely some good chocolate media for your soul.
This film is appropriate for all ages. You can find out more at laughteryoga.com.
It is also a part of the 2003 DVD "Full Frame Documentary Shorts, Vol. 1" available at amazon.com and blockbuster.com.
These clubs were begun in 1995 by cardiologist Madan Kataria, who was inspired by the features in Reader's Digest magazine about laughter being the best medicine. Lovingly known as the Guru of Giggle, Dr. Kataria is continuing to meet with people around the world to share his program of "Laughter Yoga." What began with five people is now an international phenomenon with 6000 clubs in 60 countries.
This short film explores how these clubs have lifted the lives of those who participate in them, many every single morning. One woman shares that these clubs are important because Indian society is so full of rules and taboos that a bit of nonsense is vital. Another, a widow with 20 extended family members living in her home, goes up to the roof and has a club of one--heartily laughing all alone, with her arms thrown wide.
The clubs follow a set of routine laughing exercises that start small and build, interwoven with more traditional meditation and yoga techniques. My favorite is one where you open your mouth wide, stick out your tongue as far as you can, throw up your hands and say ha-ha-ha loudly. If there's a group with you, it helps to walk around and slap high-5's with each other. The film shows how difficult this is for many of the older Indian women, and they often broke into girlish giggles--maybe because society as a whole has taught them to keep their feelings to themselves. But in Laughter Yoga they are encouraged to mingle and be silly with those from a variety of castes, sexes, ages, and social levels.
That is another point of the clubs. It is a social gathering that brings people together and forms relationships. One participant says that to win over a sad heart is the only way to make your life worthwhile. One grandmother says that these clubs return her to more innocent and childlike feelings. "If I become a child again," she says, "I will not fear death."
And I'd be remiss not to mention that many participants discuss how their health has been improved through this activity. One says that it cleanses the blood stream. Another says it dramatically increased the healing of her cancer.
An uplifted, joy-filled existence is just more resilient. The cares of this world fall away when we are laughing and enjoying the company of others. I dare you to watch "The Laughing Club of India" without laughing yourself. It is definitely some good chocolate media for your soul.
This film is appropriate for all ages. You can find out more at laughteryoga.com.
It is also a part of the 2003 DVD "Full Frame Documentary Shorts, Vol. 1" available at amazon.com and blockbuster.com.
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