Man Up!

Network: ABC
Episodes: 13 but 5 didn’t air on ABC (half-hour)
Seasons: One

TV show dates: October 18, 2011 — December 6, 2011
Series status: Cancelled

Performers include: Mather Zickel, Dan Fogler, Christopher Moynihan, Teri Polo, Amanda Detmer, Henry Simmons, Jake Johnson, and Charlotte Labadie.

TV show description:      
Will Keen (Mather Zickel) has an evolved, sensitive nature and that’s a big part of the reason why his wife, Theresa (Teri Polo), fell in love and married him. But there’s more to Will than his emotional side and he’s ready to prove it — to Theresa, his children — 13-year-old Nathan (Jake Johnson) and cute Lucy (Charlotte Labadie) — and especially himself. Along with his best friends, Kenny and Craig, Will sets out to redefine the modern man. Just don’t expect him to stay out too late — he has work in the morning.

Kenny Hayden (Dan Fogler) is the perpetual child. He’s impulsive, immature, and lacking a fundamental understanding of consequences. He once sold his ex-wife’s mixer to buy a Boba Fett action figure on eBay. Now free from his marriage to Brenda, Kenny spends his days indulging his every impulse, going on adventures with his pals, and taking advantage of his roommate, Craig.

Craig Griffith (Christopher Moynihan) has never been called a man’s man by anyone. Friends with Will and Kenny since high school, Craig’s always been the romantic one in the group. Writing poetry and sharing his feelings are part of his everyday life and Craig knows that sexy is a state of mind. At least, that’s what he heard on Oprah.

When Will gets lost on one of his adventures in manhood, Theresa is the beacon of sanity that brings him home. She’s responsible and pragmatic and is able to skillfully juggle being a supermom. It’s looking after her husband and his partners-in-crime that often drives her crazy. She’s glad to let Will make the decisions for the family, as long as they match with her own ideas.

Theresa’s best friend and Kenny’s ex-wife is Brenda Hayden (Amanda Detmer), a registered nurse who is currently dating a wonderful guy named Grant. She’s got a short attention span and enjoys torturing her ex-husband, an area where she really excels.

Grant is the ultimate man: everything a modern male should be. He’s considerate, athletic, and handsome. When Grant enters the family as Brenda’s new beau, his undeniable charisma makes things difficult for her ex-husband, Kenny. While the two men may be polar opposites, they both know that there is strong potential for them to learn from each other and grow to be better people. Or at least that’s what Grant thinks.