What do real men think about mancaves? Meet RedEye’s “manel”: Steve Wilkos (the name as published has been corrected here and in subsequent references in this text) from “The Steve Wilkos Show” (and best known as “Steve the bouncer” on “Jerry Springer”), Chicago designer Ken Walter, Big Ten Network host Mike Hall, RedEye sports editor Phil Thompson and, of course, Bag Boy.
Define the word mancave.
Bag Boy: In my case it means “woman-free habitat.”
Ken Walter: A place that a guy can use as a haven or hideout. This room can also be a repository for furnishings your other half will not allow in the house.
Mike Hall: Didn’t Mancave have a morning radio show in Chicago for years?
Steve Wilkos: When you’re married with a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old, you don’t get a lot of mancave. My office is my sanctuary — where I can escape from the kids’ toys.
Phil Thompson: It probably looks like the inside of a Circuit City with the microwave, stereo, Xbox and SportsCenter all running at same time.
What’s the one thing your mancave must have?
BB: Febreze.
KW: A big honkin’ plasma.
MH: Depending on how true you stay to the “cave” part of the definition … a candle? Outside of that, I’d say a comfortable place to sit.
SW: I have a big overstuffed leather chair that I relax in.
PT: Equipment and/or jerseys from at least five sports you’ll never play.
Name one rule that governs your mancave.
BB: No Cheeseheads. No cheese, period. I don’t even put the stuff on my pizza. That’s dedication.
KW: There are no rules — anything goes as long as it’s done with great style.
MH: Know when to talk. Ya don’t talk on a big play, ya don’t talk during a potentially funny commercial, etc. And, ya don’t talk about certain topics (politics, shoes, shoe shopping, why Gould is spelled with a U, etc.).
SW: I try to keep my office off-limits to my children but it never works. So it’s [a] rule that is never enforced.
PT: No shirt, no shoes, no entry. Well, I can think of one exception.
Subs, potato skins or pizza?
BB: Subs. Hold the cheese.
KW: I’m definitely a pizza guy.
MH: Pizza. All the way. Subs if you’re an East Coaster. Potato skins if you’re a bit girly.
SW: Pizza — I just love pizza.
PT: Pizza. The possibilities are endless.
How big should the TV be?
BB: Size doesn’t matter, or so I’ve been told countless times.
KW: As big as you can possibly fit into the room. I’m doing a room right now with a 103-inch plasma.
MH: If it can fit inside your house, it’s too small.
SW: I have a 90-inch in the basement; 90-inch is the best — I think any bigger would be too big. And you’ve gotta have hi-def. It’s hard to watch sports without it now.
PT: Can you see it from space? Good, you’re almost there.
