Network: TNT
Episodes: 25 (hour)
Seasons: Two
TV show dates: September 1, 2008 — December 24, 2009
Series status: Cancelled.
Performers include: Mark-Paul 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.
TV show description:
This legal drama follows a group of law school classmates who work on opposite sides of the courtroom.
Idealistic Jerry Kellerman (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) is a public defender who brings compassion and boundless energy into the courtroom. He’s always ready to defend his clients, no matter what the charged. Jerry quarrels with the judges when they put process ahead of justice and he’s not always the most polished, but that’s part of his charm.
The lead defense attorney is Rosalind “Roz” Whitman (Gloria Reuben). She may seem like a pushover at first, but she’s anything but. She mostly works behind a desk, but doesn’t hesitate to try a case when she’s needed. Richard Patrick Woosley (Teddy Sears) also works in the public defender’s office, though he could have been a high-priced corporate lawyer. He struggles to let Roz know his true feelings.
Roberta “Bobbi” Gilardi (Natalia Cigliuti) is the most recent addition to the public defender’s office. Her first year was tough, as she was also pursuing a divorce from her drug-addicted, abusive husband. Through this experience and her case work, Bobbi’s learned to work the system, and she and Jerry began a relationship.
Marcus McGrath (J. August Richards) is a great friend to Jerry, despite the fact that they’re often on opposite sides of the courtroom. He’s a brilliantly talented prosecutor with a strong sense of morality and responsibility. Marcus brings these qualities into the courtroom and refuses to be lenient to the defense, no matter how difficult the circumstances.
Nick Balco (Currie Graham) is the lead prosecuting attorney. He likes a good challenge and loves to stick it to the other side as much as he can, especially Jerry and Roz. He has a sardonic wit and will use it whenever he can. He’s equally smarmy, ruthless, and brilliant. Michelle Ernhardt (Melissa Sagemiller) is determined to prove that she’s a great prosecuting attorney, not just a beautiful blonde. She’ll do whatever it takes to win the case, even if it costs her friends.
Unlike Jerry, Judge Trudy Kessler (Jane Kaczmarek) sees law as black and white, though she spent her early career as a public defender. She doesn’t allow either side any wiggle room and doesn’t allow others to see her vulnerable side. She had a romantic relationship with her law clerk, Charlie Sagansky (Jonathan Scarfe), until he ended it by coming out of the closet. Charlie hopes to become a judge in his own right someday, and he and Judge Kessler often play scenarios back and forth as she shows him the ropes.
Just change it she don’t need to be doing that to nick balco belly that hurt and that hurts his feelings you are okay nick I will keep you in my prayers I am sorry she done that to you I am really mad at you Michelle you jark
Michelle needs to stop stabbing nick in the belly that really hurts his feelings he look like he is fixing to cry I don’t want him to cry I feel really bad for him bless you nick okay baby bless you you should be a. Shame of yourself Michelle you are being a jerk to him and I don’t like it stop stabbing him in the belly right now change that part please I want someone to watch her like her boss or her new boyfriend hitting on nick poor guy
I was just talking about this show today. It was a really great show and I still don’t understand why it was cancelled.
You guys at tbs suck it was a great show bring it back you have nothing to lose everthing to gain
my my you people just do not know what you have done
I loved the show you always take off good ones
This is why I don’t watch much TV. Great shows like this get the ax way too soon while silly reality shows stay on and torture us for far too long. Great job TNT for ruining TV this summer. I hope some other channel picks Raising the Bar up and it runs for 20 years. In your face TNT.
This was an excellent show. What idiots.
I loved it. Great show!
Why cancel? its a nice show.
I was devastated to discover that one of my favorite shows, “Raising the Bar” was cancelled. It gave a much needed, realistic view of the legal system. I only hope that TNT reconsidersl
I was thrilled to see 3 new “RAISING THE BAR” episodes to watch until I started asking myself why are they doing this? Now I know. I really liked this show and all the cast members were great…no fantastic in their roles. I hate TV when they do this to us. You get involved in a great show and then they pull the plug on you and all the fine people who have invested their time and talents into it. I am sick and tired of networks keeping crap shows on way too long and shows like this they don’t… Read more »
am wondering what the name of the other woman Judge name is Ive seen her on many shows but can’t remember her name ,,the one who finally gives the child back to his legal mother. Tall woman.. damn!!can’t think of her name.. TY