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Raising the Bar: TNT Drama Cancelled; No Season Three

Raising the BarCourt will soon be adjourned for the Mark-Paul Gosselaar drama, Raising the Bar. TNT has decided to cancel the series after two seasons but, there may still be more to come.

From executive producer Steven Bochco, Raising the Bar revolves around a group of law school classmates who work on opposite sides of the courtroom. The drama’s cast includes Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben, Currie Graham, Melissa Sagemiller, J. August Richards, Jonathan Scarfe, Teddy Sears, Jane Kaczmarek, Stacy Hall, Natalia Cigliuti, Paul Joyner, Wayne Lopez, Jon Polito, and Angel Oguendo.

Back on September 1, 2008, the series premiere attracted 7.7 million viewers. That set a record for TNT as the biggest audience for a new series launch on regular cable. Unfortunately, much of the audience didn’t return for later episodes which averaged 5.5 million. Despite an early decline, TNT renewed the series for a second season.

Should Raising the Bar have been cancelled?

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On June 8th, season two of Raising the Bar attracted just 3.6 million and shed half of the audience of its lead-in, The Closer.

As a result of the low ratings, the cable channel has cancelled the legal drama. Via a statement, a TNT representative said, “Everyone at TNT had a great experience working on Raising the Bar with Steven Bochco and the rest of the show’s terrific cast and crew. We’re proud of the series and appreciate the efforts of all of the creative people who were involved. Unfortunately, ratings for Raising the Bar’s second season did not reach the levels required for TNT to renew the series.”

TNT had opted to split the second season into two parts. The first dozen episodes finished airing on August 24th. That leaves three episodes on the shelf. It was expected that they would air in early 2010 but they haven’t been given airdates yet.

What do you think? Are you upset that the series has been cancelled? Why do you think that Raising the Bar failed — acting, storylines, or something else?

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{ 587 comments… read them below or add one }

Lynn August 9, 2010 at 6:00 pm

I want the show back!!!! Come on…. all that other crap the networks are showing.. Bring us a back somthing worth watching…….. UGHHHH!!!!!!

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Aaron August 6, 2010 at 9:30 pm

Bring this show back. Get rid of some of those crappy reality shows. This was a very good show. TNT…you suck!

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Sandy August 7, 2010 at 8:50 pm

RIDICULOUS…I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SHOW RETURNING !!!! I’ll tell you what..TV is NOTHING BUT FGARBAGE these days….they keep all these stupid reality shows…1/2 hour comedy CARTOONS..and keep cancelling the good shows..THAT normal people like to watch…..

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Rodz August 4, 2010 at 8:55 pm

Great, A good show comes along and poof a few lows and its gone. Do you think that maybe, on the later season, people had other pressing thing’s to do and would return to watching the show at a later time (maybe they had friends record the showed for them). or well I guess there’s always other channels to watch it …………. *L*

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Jeremy August 3, 2010 at 7:28 pm

That sucks!! We loved that show!!!!! How do they know exactly how many people were watching it anyway???

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Jen August 3, 2010 at 3:09 pm

I loved this show and I’m extremely disappointed it was cancelled. Please publicize when the last few episodes will be run, I don’t want to miss them. Thank You!

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james c skinner August 2, 2010 at 8:28 pm

We have been waiting for this series to continue. It is hard to believe that it was cancelled. There are so many poor series on, and you choose to cancel this one. How ever calls the shots there must never have whated the series

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Sue August 2, 2010 at 8:14 pm

Wow! Really disappointed that the show was cancelled.

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mary c August 2, 2010 at 7:33 pm

I am crushed and utterly bummed! Mark Paul Gosselar is fantastic and I am so sad to not be able to even have any closure on the series!! This show is so much better than a lot of other shows that continue to air. Sigh.

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Pat Mitchell August 2, 2010 at 2:48 pm

What idiocy, to have cancelled this show. It should be on primetime television, abc, nbc, cbs, right in there with the more-inferior shows! Is someone crazy here. First, putting it on originally so late in the evening, then not adversiting it, on and on.

I am disgusted

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Jai August 2, 2010 at 9:02 am

Canceled? Very disappointed!!!!

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cyndi August 1, 2010 at 6:24 pm

BRING THIS SHOW BACK! IF TNT DOESN’T WANT IT SHOP IT AROUND WITH ANOTHER NETWORK! IT WAS MY FAVORITE AFTER GREY ANATOMY AND PRIVATE PRACTICE! THERE WAS NO OTHER SHOW ON THE AIR LIKE IT. UNFORTUNATELY IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WILL BE SOME COPYCATS…. GET BACK SOON!

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Kate Olson August 1, 2010 at 6:12 pm

how dare you leave this show unfinished!! And canceled to boot? Wrong – definitely wrong!!!

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Lea Zonzini July 28, 2010 at 4:53 pm

At least do a season wrap up…all the loyal watchers, what a huge let down.

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elisabeth dasilva July 28, 2010 at 3:16 pm

what, canceled?!! there is nothing but low quality shows on and they cancel this fantastic series. every episode clearly showed both sides of the same issue and though i almost always sided with the prosecution, the writing & acting was so good that i had a better perspective on the entire criminal justice system. what are they thinking canceling one of the best written legal shows while low IQ trash like glee is on?

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David Jackson July 28, 2010 at 1:01 pm

Raising the bar could have been sucessful with maybe a few tweaks.Ibelieve it had great content of a raw and true side of our judicial system reality hurts and it was a very gritty and sometimes darkside of our supreme lawyers,judges,and everyday working people dealing with prejudicial societys view of us.Will maybe another network be offered to pick up the show if it was pitched out there I bet someone with an eye for great television shows would not sleep on this WINNER!

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