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 cannot believe they cancelled Raising the Bar. It was one of the best new shows! And to add insult to injury…you kept Leverage…..Be for real!
IF EVERYONE WRITING/POSTING A BLOG HERE WOULD WRITE TNT AND LET THEM KNOW YOUR OPINION COUNTS — WE COULD GET RAISING THE BAR BACK. IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE: BETTER OFF TED RETURNED, PUSHING DAISIES RETURNED AND COUNTLESS OTHERS. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
What’s wrong with a network that will cancel a show with a 89% approval rating. Listen people, you have a great show here, can’t you tell that by the approval rating. People want this show, it is very entertaining and way better than these stupid reality shows. The people have told you what they want, why don’t you listen to them. The last time I looked I thougth this was America. Are you like our government not going to give us what WE want. Is it all about you too?
My husband and I started watching it together and after the second show he decided he was’nt going to watch it because he couldn’t stand Jane Kaczmarek’s character. He doesn’t have anything against her, just the character, you see he worked for a district attorney. I loved the show and can’t believe it was cancelled. I loved all the characters, storylines, etc. I thought all the actors were really good and they all meshed together well. If I had to pick one character I didn’t like it would be the district attorney character. Really, I’m sorry that it was cancelled.… Read more »
With Raising the Bar and Saving Grace both going down…I think Im done with giving TNT chances. How can I get emotionaly involved in a series knowing that it won’t last. TNT. You are on notice. I don’t have much left for you besides reruns of shows you know will do well. Raising the Bar was a great show.
I enjoyed watching “RAISING THE BAR” during the summer months when all the other channels had reruns on……
I believe the reason the series did not do well is due to the fact that we do not like seeing how corrupt our legal system is from the inside. Although it is a t.v. show, having been involved in a false legal claim, I know that our disgusting legal system is as bad or worse than what we have watched on Raising The Bar. With the corruption in our government and the hateful politicians who are destrying our great country—we would rather not watch it on a tv series as reality is more than painful enough.
Linda Holland
I really have enjoyed Raising the Bar. I truly missed Boston Legal and thought I had found something to rally around. Thought provoking about ‘the system’, gutsy in presenting the ‘disquieting’ side of plea bargaining, showing the humanity and putting a face to the many stories of the criminal system we never see . . . I think this is an important contribution and am saddened, that once again, the good shows seem to so quickly go by the way. Is it always about the profitability of a series? Sometimes you need to take a stand, let the public catch… Read more »
I TOO AM EXTREMELY DISSAPOINTED THAT RAISING THE NAR HAS BEEN CANCELED . I NEVER MISSED AN EPISODE AND WAS LOOKONG FORWARD TO ITS RETURN. WITH ALL THE JUNK AND REPEATS WE HAVE DUMPED ON US I CAN NOT BELIEVE TNT WOULD CANCEL THIS GREAT SHOW.
I can’t believe TNT has canceled this show. It is one of my favorites and given enough time to build an audiance it would be on par with Hill Street Blues, LA Law and ER . I hope one of the bigger networks decides it is worth a try. Everyone I know was hooked as soon as they watched the first episode. Even lawyers like its accurate portrayal and great storylines. Maybe TNT needs to get familiar with DVR viewership.
Raising the Bar was one of our favorite shows and we are so upset that it has been cancelled. With all the garbage that is on TV it was a pleasure to watch a show of this caliber. What a disappointment.
I just wish they’d leave the good shows alone….like so many, I enjoyed this show….it was fresh and entertaining with very good storylines……I can’t believe they cancelled it and yet things like silly reality shows continue….
I cannot believe you would cancel such a wonderful show. Great ensemble cast, great writing, great show. I was surprised when I saw the 3 new episodes on my DVR but while watching I was thinking Jerry and his new girlfriend were moving quickly with their relationship and then with the 2nd of the 3 I couldn’t understand Trudy’s rushing into a relationship, but with all the antics in the third episode I new it was over. I go to the web and see it is true. I am sorry that such good programming is cancelled while we are stuck… Read more »
at the very least the last 3 shows should have been advertised during the last 3 Closer episodes. so many people missed the last 3. I hope they will be repeated but at least let
fans know. lots of bad shows on. this was a keeper
I’m so disappointed in this program being cancelled. I looked so forward to the next episode. With all the crap on television, I can’t believe that they would cancel one of the few programs I enjoyed.
I hope they reconsider and but it back on. Don’t they care about the 3.7 million viewers who watched religiously?
Thumbs down for TNT on this one.