Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2008 > September > 02 > Entry
9/2: Surprisingly big numbers for TNT’s “Raising the Bar”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Steve Bochco’s latest drama “Raising the Bar” opened at an impressive 7.7 million viewers Monday night, according to Nielsen estimates.
Atlanta-based TNT says that’s the biggest ratings ever for a new series on a ad-supported cable. That excludes broadcast TV, non ad-supported cable such as Disney and pay cable such as HBO.
Despite generally poor reviews, the drama about the interaction between the Los Angeles public defenders’ office and the district attorney’s office found an initial audience thanks to two factors: a lead in monster by the name of “The Closer” and the lack of competition over on the broadcast networks, which were airing a mix of political convention news and hurricane updates. And surprisingly, a lot of people do watch TV on Labor Day. It’s not a holiday where viewing drops off sharply like some other days.
“Raising the Bar” was the second largest show on TV Monday night, beaten only by NBC’s ” Deal or No Deal,” which drew more than 10 million people for its first one million dollar winner after more than 180 shows. It even beat the fourth season debut of Fox’s “Prison Break.”
Whether this show has the makings of a genuine hit depends on how it does in coming weeks.
Comments
By Lara
September 2, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
I gave it a chance and may watch one more episode before adding it to my TiVO list. The judge is super annoying and it is hard to look at the main guy without hearing Zach Morris - no matter the color and length of hair.
By reddot
September 2, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
I hear the next episodes are so much better. I’ll be watching.
By John Allen
September 2, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
The judge is very annoying and not believeable…she grates on your nerves and is such a bitch. If she were a real judge she would not win re-election. It’s not the usual caliber of shows for the channel. If I had another good choice I would have changed the channel after the first 15 minutes.
I doubt that I watch a second episode.
It’s a 1.5 on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being tops.
By John Allen
September 2, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
The judge is very annoying and not believeable…she grates on your nerves and is such a bitch. If she were a real judge she would not win re-election. It’s not the usual caliber of shows for the channel. If I had another good choice I would have changed the channel after the first 15 minutes.
I doubt that I watch a second episode.
It’s a 1.5 on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being tops.
By John Allen
September 2, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
The judge is very annoying and not believeable…she grates on your nerves and is such a bitch. If she were a real judge she would not win re-election. It’s not the usual caliber of shows for the channel. If I had another good choice I would have changed the channel after the first 15 minutes.
I doubt that I watch a second episode.
It’s a 1.5 on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being tops.
By metri
September 2, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
i loved it
By MountainMama
September 2, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
I really enjoyed watching “Raising the Bar”. I agree with others that the judge’s character is extrememly annoying…but unlike others, I think she IS very believable, as we have a judge here in the mountains who is very similar.
I thought the show did a good job of giving you initial information about each of the main characters; enough info to make me want to know more. And I guess the Judge’s “right hand man” swings both ways, or so it seems. THAT alone should be interesting TV.
I will definitely watch again; I’ve never been disappointed with a Steven Bochco TV series.
By MountainMama
September 2, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
I really enjoyed watching “Raising the Bar”. I agree with others that the judge’s character is extrememly annoying…but unlike others, I think she IS very believable, as we have a judge here in the mountains who is very similar.
I thought the show did a good job of giving you initial information about each of the main characters; enough info to make me want to know more. And I guess the Judge’s “right hand man” swings both ways, or so it seems. THAT alone should be interesting TV.
I will definitely watch again; I’ve never been disappointed with a Steven Bochco TV series.
By saint
September 2, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
Only One Ping, One Ping…. Very weak show, can’t compare to Boston Legal.
By new mom
September 2, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
We suffered through it, giving it a chance only because we LOVE the closer. I was so disappointed…it was just so cheesy. And predictable. We kept saying ‘gee, do you think _ will happen?’ And sure enough…At the end, I hoped the person in the shower would have been the black DA, just for a surprise, not the pretty blonde…Gee, who saw that one coming???? And my husband said he kept looking for Screech coming down the hall…
What I noticed is how fast the dialogue went, but not in a good clever sort of way. It was as if the director gave the ‘actors’ 5 minutes worth of lines, but said ‘now do it in 2 minutes.’ It just seemed rushed and unbelievable.
But then again, it’s just our opinion. It’s NO Closer, though.
By SCOOPSMAN
September 2, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this
NOT THE CALIBRE OF PAST BOCHCO CREATIONS. NO I WILL NOT WATCH #2
By Sherry L
September 3, 2008 2:19 AM | Link to this
I thought it was interesting and will watch next week before deciding to stick with it or not. I do agree that it is hard not to think of Saved by the Bell - lol!! I think the judge is too much of a bitch, which makes for good tv, but seems a little unrealistic. Will have to wait and see how it progresses.
By Beautiful
September 3, 2008 2:47 AM | Link to this
boooooo will not watch again. poorly done.
By Beautiful
September 3, 2008 3:25 AM | Link to this
let me put it another way. i shouldn’t know the ending 5 minutes after it started!
By PHRED
September 3, 2008 6:51 AM | Link to this
I MIGHT give it one more viewing. If there’s nothing else on. It was WAY too much like a bad The Practice. Too much soap opera.
By IsthatyouZach
September 3, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this
Like everyone else, it was very distracting to watch the show and wonder when Screech and Lisa will come bouncing into the scene. Despite the longer hair and different color, all I saw was Zach Morris. Mark-Paul has not transitioned very well.
The show was predictable and it made me question if English was my first language. Everyone spoke so quickly.
Now the judicial law clerk, (haha, who reminds me of a young Jude Law)… was so incredibly hot and his secret well…. his character alone is the only reason I will tune in next time to this poor soap opera drama.
By Barbara in NY
September 3, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this
A great deal of over-acting, but I suppose that helped to establish each character. Still, some other TV series manage to hold an audience without the loud voices and overacting.
The away from the office scenes where attorneys may wish to stop for a drink seemed particularly contrived. Is our hero supposed to be some Henry Fonda character, fighting the good fight for all mankind? If so, we may tire of him before the end of episode #2.
I, for one, did not find the judge to be annoying. (LOL) Her patience was truly put to the test by the annoying public defender.
Oh, well, let’s give it a chance.
By sharon
September 3, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this
I am a fan of everything Steven Boccho does. My favorite drama of all times is Hillstreet Blues. I was not impressed with the first episode but I will give it another try. The characters ar pretty average, no one really stands out or have any appealing qualities. Gloria Rueben is more beautiful than ever. As for the judge, she is exactly what is wrong with our judicial system. These people are in control of our lives and they make decisions with our lives based on power play and spitefulness. The defendant lost eleven months of his life on a case of mistaken identity and she still wanted to keep him behind bars just to spite the public defendant. I found myself getting angry watching it because I know this happens and is happening to many men in this country, especially black men. When the prosecutor told her boss that she felt they were prosecuting an innocent man he said “even if he didn’t do this I’m sure he’s guilty of something else we didn’t get him on” sums it all up.
By sharon
September 3, 2008 7:29 AM | Link to this
I am a fan of everything Steven Boccho does. My favorite drama of all times is Hillstreet Blues. I was not impressed with the first episode but I will give it another try. The characters ar pretty average, no one really stands out or have any appealing qualities. Gloria Rueben is more beautiful than ever. As for the judge, she is exactly what is wrong with our judicial system. These people are in control of our lives and they make decisions with our lives based on power play and spitefulness. The defendant lost eleven months of his life on a case of mistaken identity and she still wanted to keep him behind bars just to spite the public defendant. I found myself getting angry watching it because I know this happens and is happening to many men in this country, especially black men. When the prosecutor told her boss that she felt they were prosecuting an innocent man he said “even if he didn’t do this I’m sure he’s guilty of something else we didn’t get him on” sums it all up.
By GH
September 3, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
Very disappointing, and not from a “Saved By The Bell” perspective - I never liked that show….
After all the hype, it just didn’t deliver. A bad combination of The Practice and Ally McBeal, with poor story lines. Great acting, though, on the part of the judge. Brought her role to reality.
I won’t be wasting another hour next week.
By CASSIDY
September 3, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
what an awful show…Boccho mailed this one in…the hair is so annoying, but the writing is worse..
By CASSIDY
September 3, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
what an awful show…Boccho mailed this one in…the hair is so annoying, but the writing is worse..