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Raising The Bar

valmg | Sun 08-31-08 | 0 Comments

There have been times in the past that I read about new tv shows, movies and books and wished that I could get a sneak peek at something before everyone else. Thanks to Role Mommy I finally got my wish when I got a sneak peek at Raising The Bar, a new tv series set to premiere this week .

Raising The Bar is the latest series from producer Steven Bochco. Bochco also produced one of RB’s and my favorites, NYPD Blue, as well as other well known shows such as Hill Street Blues, LA Law and Doogie Howser MD (yes I know that wasn’t a legal drama). The show is written by David Feige, an experienced public defender and Professor of Law who is well known for his lectures on trial skills. Raising The Bar is a legal drama focusing on the battles between lawyers inside and outside of the courtroom. The cast is full of familiar faces.

The Public Defender’s Office is represented by Jerry Kellerman (played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar from NYPD Blue), Bobbi Gilardi (played by Natalia Cigliuti from All My Children) and Richard Patrick Woolsley (played by Teddy Sears from Ugly Betty). Their boss is Roz Whitman (played by Gloria Reuben from ER).

The District Attorney’s Office is represented by Michelle Ernhardt (played by Melissa Sagemiller from Sleeper Cell) and Marcus McGrath (played by J. August Richards from Conviction). Their boss is District Attorney Nick Balco (played by Currie Graham from Boston Legal).

No legal drama would be complete without a courtroom, where we find Judge Trudy Kessler (played by Jane Kaczmarek from Malcom In The Middle) and her law clerk Charlie Sagansky (played by Jonathan Scarfe from Into The West).

Jerry is the primary male character. He’s a young lawyer who feels very passionate about his clients and takes his job very seriously. He doesn’t really care if he steps on a few toes in order to help his client, not even when those toes belong to the politcally aspiring, tyrannical, “my way, no highway option” Judge Trudy Kessler. Charlie has a somewhat calming effect on the Judge, as well as at least one secret that neither the Judge or his friends are aware of.

Teddy comes from money but chose to work in the Public Defender’s Office so that he could make a difference, and make a difference he does when he pulls some strings to help a friend. Bobbi has just started working in the Public Defender’s Office and seems eager to get right to work.

Nick wants his Assistant District Attorneys to win and seems like an ass. It was great to see Michelle hold her own with him when sexual suggestion manifested itself in the workplace. Marcus has strong beliefs and views on justice.

RB and I watched three episodes and enjoyed what we saw. Raising The Bar had drama, sex, humor and secrets. Part of what made the shows enjoyable was the character interaction in and out of the coutroom. It was great to watch a legal show where the character’s personal lives were considtently part of the storyline. We found ourselves both trying to guess what was going to happen and who was going to do what. We both think Jerry needs a haircut and that it will be part of a future episode. We also both think that Michelle’s jealousy will be displayed publicly. I wondered if Nick really is a lech. I wondered if Richard’s money is his own or if it’s actually his fathers. I wondered if Marcus’ comment about “it being work” pertained to something personal in his past. RB’s prediction for the first season is that Jerry will sleep with Bobbi.

So. Want a peek? Here you go.

Raising The Bar is scheduled to premiere on Labor Day, Monday 09/01/08 on TNT at 10pm/9pm central. I hate to start watching a show after it’s started because I always feel like I don’t know everything I should. (As a result of this quirk I have passed up entire series.) If you’re a fan of legal drama television, or if you’re just looking for something new to check out, ensure that you don’t find yourself wondering what happened when and how and to who by making sure you’re watching (or recording) the premiere on Labor Day.