Michael Mario Albrecht is Assistant Professor of Media Communication at Eckerd College, USA.

’Want to understand the culture of masculinity in the 21st century US? Michael Mario Albrecht shines a new light on some of today’s most compelling television series by illuminating the connections between popular male characters and the social and political landscape within which they emerge. A much-needed book in the study of gender, media, and contemporary culture.’ Elana Levine, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA ’Michael Mario Albrecht adds a crucial, critical voice to contemporary discussions about Quality television. His careful and illuminating exploration of male-centered television series in the twenty-first century shows how their characters are caught between feminism and post-feminism, between new and old forms of masculinity, much like the men who enjoy the series. His sharp and pithy analysis carries substantial intellectual heft, while his highly readable prose makes this an excellent text for students of gender and culture at all levels.’ Timothy Havens, University of Iowa, USA

• Preface and Acknowledgments, Michael Mario Albrecht; Introduction, Michael Mario Albrecht; Chapter 1 Masculinity in the Obama Era, Michael Mario Albrecht; Chapter 2 The League and the Limits of the Bromance, Michael Mario Albrecht; Chapter 3 Mad Men and Nostalgic Masculinity, Michael Mario Albrecht; Chapter 4 Breaking Bad, Hung, and Masculinity in the Great Recession, Michael Mario Albrecht; Chapter 5 Louie on Louie, and Adam on Girls, Michael Mario Albrecht; Conclusion, Michael Mario Albrecht;

Michael Mario Albrecht is Assistant Professor of Media Communication at Eckerd College, USA.

’Want to understand the culture of masculinity in the 21st century US? Michael Mario Albrecht shines a new light on some of today’s most compelling television series by illuminating the connections between popular male characters and the social and political landscape within which they emerge. A much-needed book in the study of gender, media, and contemporary culture.’ Elana Levine, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA ’Michael Mario Albrecht adds a crucial, critical voice to contemporary discussions about Quality television. His careful and illuminating exploration of male-centered television series in the twenty-first century shows how their characters are caught between feminism and post-feminism, between new and old forms of masculinity, much like the men who enjoy the series. His sharp and pithy analysis carries substantial intellectual heft, while his highly readable prose makes this an excellent text for students of gender and culture at all levels.’ Timothy Havens, University of Iowa, USA

• Preface and Acknowledgments, Michael Mario Albrecht; Introduction, Michael Mario Albrecht; Chapter 1 Masculinity in the Obama Era, Michael Mario Albrecht; Chapter 2 The League and the Limits of the Bromance, Michael Mario Albrecht; Chapter 3 Mad Men and Nostalgic Masculinity, Michael Mario Albrecht; Chapter 4 Breaking Bad, Hung, and Masculinity in the Great Recession, Michael Mario Albrecht; Chapter 5 Louie on Louie, and Adam on Girls, Michael Mario Albrecht; Conclusion, Michael Mario Albrecht;