Search - Raising the Bar: The Complete First Season on DVD

Jr N. from TAMARAC, FL
Reviewed on 1/26/2016...

Unlike other court shows like Law and Order etc.. this show shows the sincere efforts of the attorneys who are defending the accused individuals held in jail awaiting their trials. It's really a great show with a excellent cast and writing. Loved Judge Kessler!

Don't Waste Your Time

Anna Jacobs | 06/13/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The concept is okay if a little worn out: A bunch of attractive young lawyers on opposite sides of the fence; public defenders vs. prosecutors. Mark-Paul Gosselaar is oh so passionate about his clients' innocence and badly in need of a haircut. There are little touches to try and spice it up - the Judge's illicit relationship with a clerk who has a secret and you do get to see a few of the lawyers without much clothes on.

So why did I stop after the first DVD? Part of the reason has to do with the fact that there is only one judge 99% of the time, and this show is not set in some small town where that would actually happen. Raising The Bar is supposed to take place in Manhattan where an actual public defender would have cases in front of dozens of judges.

But more importantly, the break from reality is too complete for me. All the defendants are sympathetic. Every single last one. They are either outright innocent or they had such a good reason for doing what they did that you can't help but root for their side. It's an insult to the watcher's intelligence. Part of the allure of law shows for me is the nuance - this show has no shades of grey. To make matters worse, the prosecutors pull ridiculous stunts to cheat their way to putting innocent people in prison, and the police officers are portrayed as snarling monsters who could have easily been cast for the Sopranos. Watching this show became painful.

If you want to watch a show that's a lot like this one - except that it's actually done right, watch Conviction created by Dick Wolf. The lawyers are just as attractive (one is even the same as in Raising The Bar!) but it's a lot more interesting, nuanced and believable."

Charming and Addictive

Kyle Sharp | Toronto, Canada | 03/31/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Raising the Bar is one of the best court dramas I've seen in a long time. The writing is terrific, the acting is great, and they do a great job balancing out serious topic with light hearted humor. Some of my favourite scenes stem from the lawyers meeting up at their usual bar after hours. The budding romance between Bobbie and Jerry is also really entertaining because it gives the viewer something to hope for, giving them a reason to tune in next week. The show can get repetitive at times as Trudy's consistant brash unprofessionalism and unapolagetic hatred of Jerry becomes very annoying at times. That said, Raising the Bar is a fine show and an entertaining way to spend an hour."

A surprising treat.

Lee Deener | Texas | 07/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A very surprizingly addictive show. The characters grow on you from the start and make you interested in what will happen next to the characters, personally and professionally. Although it can be a bit predictable at times, it has a freshness to its presentation that will get you through wanting more. I worry that the show walks a thin line of being completely unrealistic as far as case subject matter. " is everyone going to be innocent and wrongly accused?" Where are the bad guys?I understand a noble,honest public defender..who happens to only get innocent and wrongly accused clients? That is Matlock/Murder She wrote cheesey and not what I expect from todays law dramas.Out of the whole first season, I think Mark only had one really "bad" guy. Still a great show, really clean cut; can only get better."