Rake

I knew this was going to be a poor imitation of the original, I was right.

I've only watched the first episode but that's enough for me.

It is a closer copy than I'd have thought would be acceptable for US audiences, though it is watered down, not as dark or as funny as the original but that is to be expected, that sadly is the way of the world when it comes to US remakes of anything.

I realize you probably can't expect people to learn about NSW state politics and the machinations inside our political parties but without that undercurrent the remake is pretty weak, so the translation to LA doesn't work.

So my advice is skip it, find the original and watch a magnificent funny dark satire of the law, crime and politics.

Of course YMMV.

This version **** out of 10

The Original ******** out of 10

Once again the USA is remaking another brilliant show, this time from Australia. Why they'd feel the need to remake a show in English, and replace the cast with B-listers (at best) is beyond me, however being a massive fan of the original series, I figured I would give this a shot.

The overlying plot is basically the same - a smarmy lawyer getting up to shenanigans, and getting himself into situations that are borderline criminal.

However, with shows like this it is impossible NOT to compare them to the original, and this version falls far, far short. The jokes are delivered in a more sitcom fashion, and rather than having little funny bits amongst the drama, they are forced upon and delivered like one-liners. The characters are hard to relate to, and become dislikeable very quickly, especially Cleaver (sorry, I mean Keegan) who has a likability in the Australian version.

I, in all good conscience, cannot recommend this to anyone. If you want a gritty drama with occasional humour, I highly suggest you watch the original series, which is in its 3rd season currently.

This, I suspect will go the way of so many remakes, and end up failing miserably.

I think this show has so much potential. It's funny, smart and it's entertaining. Hello!? Fox are you listening!?!? I spoke about this show at work and someone said they heard it was good. I like that there is diversity in the characters who ate not just window dressing for a PC weigh-in. Come on Fox create some buzz, advertise, back this show. Everybody's griping that shows are being dumped ridiculously fast. Set a trend. Actually let this develop. Other shows in TV history that were almost canceled went on to be hugely successful such as Cheers, MASH, Seinfeld. Need I say more? If networks keep airing shows and then give up on these shows, people are going to stop watching. It's happening already because we all figure "why bother? Why get into it because it's only going to get canceled. Thanks for listening.

Most of the criticisms of this show are based on comparisons to the Aussie version. Not having seen that one, I can just say that I am really enjoying this series. Why do I like it? Keegan Deane is an attorney who takes on some unusual cases, to say the least, yet his personal life is a mess. He is a compulsive gambler, alcoholic, and all around narcissist. He has a loan shark on his tail constantly, has no car, money or place to live...well, you get it. Yet, we manage to like him. Greg Kinnear is great in this role.

I especially like the unique spin they put on some of Keegan's cases, such as the beard-cutting Amish and the cannibalism case. Tara Summers is great as his assistant, and I like that they don't employ the sexual tension angle, which in my opinion is way too overused. My main criticism of the show is that the editing is often choppy.

Rake is compelling, fresh, energetic and funny. It seems that fans of the Aussie version want it to fail, but I hope it doesn't. I look forward to watching it!

Due to the usual remake that adds copious amounts of substituted water and sawdust.

Don't blame the recipe, blame the wannabe cooks.

Greg Kinnear is just too bland and nice to fill the lead role. The original Rake* is so much the author of his own self destruction, but still retains sufficient redeeming qualities to tip us over to forgiving the flaws, just as his many loves do.

The US version doesn't fill the rakish side sufficiently for us to care whether we forgive him or not. It all reminds me of those unfortunate wannabe clowns who think a cheap frizzy colored wigs, red nose and big shoes are all it takes. The timing, wit and novelty, having all whizzed right over their heads.

This pale version has not just whizzed over my (indifferent) head, but the heads of the puzzled US audience for whom it is all too strange and unpredictable, despite the attempted remake to do just that. Not frighten the trite sensibilities of middle America, thus rendering the whole exercise pointless.

*It occurs to me having read some of the other reviews that most Americans do not even understand the real meaning of "rake" as it is used here. Therein lies the problem.