Hollywood Backlot: ‘Men of a Certain Age’

Scott Bakula hugs director David Boyd, center, while Ray Romano talks with members of the crew.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Kwesi Boakye, who goes by Kwesi, left, and Isaiah Montgomery, who play the sons of Andre Braugher’s character, Owen, kill some time with extra Aaron Zachary Philips, right. during a day of filming.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Scott Bakula gets ready for action on the softball field during the shoot at Birmingham High School in Van Nuys.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Scott Bakula checks on a contact lens after his eye started bothering him before shooting a scene.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Andre Braugher cuts loose with a swing between takes in the shooting schedule.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Robert Loggia, left, who plays Ray Romano’s dad, Artie, gets some last minute notes from assistant director Stephen D’Amato before shooting a scene.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Tina Tholke, production supervisor, center, and Eric Cetinich, production assistant, hold cue cards for a scene starring Robert Loggia, left, on a day of filming TNT’s “Men of a Certain Age.”  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Equipment on the “Men of a Certain Age” set.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The script includes notations for the day’s shoot.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Props are readied for a crowd scene.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Joe’s Party Depot is the name of the store owned by Ray Romano’s character.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

‘Men of a Certain Age’ is one of the few television shows being shot on film.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Scott Bakula, in the black jacket, jokes with extras on the softball field between takes.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Patrick Gallagher, second from left, and cast members joke with Andre Braugher, seated far right, before shooting a scene. Braugher’s Owen is heading a softball team composed of his employees at a family-owned car dealership, utilizing his sales staff, including Gallagher and the other cast members, against his parts department.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Andre Braugher jokingly knocks on the protective cup of Matt Price, who plays Lawrence, before shooting another scene at Birmingham High in Van Nuys.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Andre Braugher, Ray Romano and Scott Bakula gather for a portrait on the set at Paramount studios in Hollywood. The show is back for its second season.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)