Raising the Bar - my new fix

I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at TNT's newest show Raising the Bar, thanks to Beth over at Role Mommy.

First let me give you some background of why I consider myself a perfect TV critic. I love TV. I love prime time TV, a whole freaking bunch. I am the annoying type of person who will see a background person in a new pilot and yell out that they once appeared in some other show that never made it past 2 seasons. One of my favorite genres of TV is murder, mystery. I am a Law and Order die hard. I just recently discovered the very intriguing Criminal Minds. The problem is there are not many of these shows that are keeping my interest. Well I have good news for you guys. Raising the Bar is going to be my new addiction. 

Just so you know, I have only watched the pilot, I have 2 other episodes to sneak peek and I am waiting. Why you ask ? Because I want to watch them with uninterrupted time, so I can fully enjoy them, I am treating them as a big TREAT for myself and I can't wait. 

Raising the Bar stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar, I will admit I was over NYPD Blue by the time he came on, and I am proud to say I never watched Save By the Bell (probably b/c I am 40).  He plays a defense attorney (Jerry Kellerman) who really cares about his clients. I will admit, at first I thought he was overacting a bit, but after about 10 minutes in, I was sold and his passion and frustration was tangible. His boss is played by Gloria Reuben who we all remember from ER (remember her husband on ER went on to be in Third Watch - see I am annoying). Gloria's character was calm and smart. I suspect there will be more to her in later episodes.

Jane Kazmarek plays the judge. OH MY GOSH, I never watched Malcolm in the Middle, but I have always found Jane to be a likable actress.  She is the biggest bitch !! She plays the part perfectly. Right on. I hate her already. If I see her on the street I will yell at her that she is UNFAIR !!!!  The female ADA played by Melissa Sagemiller was a bit bothersome. I am sick of perfect blond lawyers wearing low cut shirts, does that really happen ??  At first I thought I would dislike her and her character, but she did grow on me and she became believable. Her boss reminded me of Kevin Spacey and just seemed annoying. Two other characters that were interesting were the Judge's law clerk played by Jonathan Scarfe who has some secrets. Following his character will be very interesting. Teddy Sears plays a rich guy who takes a job in the public defender's office, lots of humor in this character. 

So here is the deal. I did not think I was going to like the show at first, seemed like the same old overacted predictable law show. Somewhere in the first 15 minutes I fell for it and enjoyed it and was looking over at my hubby saying, oh yes,  I like this. I was amazed at how much I hated the judge and was routing for Jerry. I really liked the L&O Conviction series (and yes I know that Marcus McGrath played by J. August Richards is from Conviction) and I do feel this is in comparison to that show.  There is not a large part of the show dedicated to detectives and cops, it is more geared to the lawyers and the courtroom. However, it doesn't stay at work, you see their lives outside of their jobs. That is where many of the twists show up. I won't give anything away, but there were several twists, some predictable others NOT SO MUCH. I really enjoyed it and I am looking forward to the next 2 shows I have, then I will be making sure TIVO is ready to record it !!!

I would highly recommend giving this show a chance. I think you will enjoy it, and I also think it will develop more each episode, they have a bunch of different characters to work with to keep it all interesting.