Court 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.
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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?
Image courtesy TNT.
I am so very disappointed by TNT’s decision to cancel this show. It was by far one my favorites . I kept watching for the return date but only got promo’s for new shows.
The new shows are not as interesting. I agree with the other comments by fans of the show. TNT you made a big mistake! Please reconsider bring this show back. The characters, the writing, the story lines were great!
Somebody help me please, these reality shows are killing me!! I’m looking to you TNT.
I have been looking,and searching for Raising The Bar to start and i find out it has been cancalled. I am so dissapointed!!! I loved the show and all the people in it. I’m glad that i didn’t remove the last three off my dvr,at least i can watch them again. I really wish you would reconsider and try the third season.I know that my husband and i would watch it and so glad that it was back!!!!!!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SHOW! THE ACTING IS INCREDIBLE. THE STORIES ARE GREAT. I LOVED WATCHING “THE CLOSER” AND THEN “RAISING THE BAR”. I BELIEVE A LOT OF PEOPLE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE SHOW. I ONLY KNEW ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT CAME ON AFTER THE CLOSER. IF YOU PUT SOME TIME AND MONEY IN ADVERTISING THE SHOW, I KNOW A LOT MORE PEOPLE WOULD WATCH IT.
I have been waiting for annoucements as to when the show will be starting again. Not
finding anything, I decided to use the web to get an answer. I am so disappointed that
Raising the bar was cancelled! You were just developing the characters. They
were certainly interesting.
We loved this show! Interesting characters, compelling story lines, and intelligent dialogue. So very disappointed that it’s not coming back, but not surprised when you consider the shows that do, which is a sad statement on this country’s level of over-all intelligence.
Miss Raising the Bar. Give it more time to be a hit.
Please bring it back. It was a great group of people and written very well.
TNT – Please reconsider
Fran
Loved this show…so disappointed that this show was canceled. What great cast and story. Please bring it back. Loved all the characters.
I don’t understand why this show was cancelled. Why?
Raising the Bar and Over There are (were) both such excellent , very thoughtfully produced as well as thought inducing productions …. with such excellent casts …. as well as meaningful plots … and drama … why do they drop the best ? I really like(d) Grey’s Anatomy …. which i deemed thoughtful, as well as entertaining, however, Raising the Bar and Over There both had greater depth. I do/ will miss them … they did much more than just entertain … they strongly tended to validate my “worldview”/values. Thanks so much for the effort !!!!
~bob c.
I’m so sad after reading this post! I can’t believe that TNT decided to cancel the best legal drama I have seen in years. As a lawyer, I though this depicted everyday work as real as possible. The cast was amazing as well as the stories. They should air the remaining episodes!
what a horrible decision for TNT….The closer is not even half the show Raising the Bar was…put this show back on the air !!!!!!!! i have had to sit watching these new series previews waiting to see when the third season is starting…you blew it TNT, this show had all the talent, wrinting and drama the channel strives for…TNT (we don’t know drama )
Really upset that this show has been canceled. As a legal transcriptionist I felt like I was watching my work coming to life in a different way — even though I do get watch trials and sentences and pleas when I do video. It was nice to see a series that dealt with the Public Defender’s Office. We’ve seen enough trials and tribulations of the rich. I looked forward to this series every week. BTW, I’ve tried to get into “Rizzoli and Isles” but then “Weeds” and the “Big C” just started, and “Rizzoli and Isles” is ho-hum at best,… Read more »
This is a fabulous series and a talented cast. The writing is exceptional. Give it more time. I’ve been waiting for more and genunitly surprised to find it’s been canceled. I can’t be alone. BRING IT ON!
A DEMOCRACY IS A TRIUMPH OF THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR. IN ANY SITUATION IN WHICH TWO FOOLS OUTVOTE ONE WISE PERSON MEDIOCRITY WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL. THUS I LOVE LUCY COMES ON SEVENTEEN TIMES A DAY FOR FIFTY YEARS AND RAISING THE BAR AND LA LAW GET TAKEN OFF.
That is very disappointing. That was a very well done show with great characters and great actors. I hope they air the remaining episodes and at least close out the series.