Rake

When a show is really good just show it, do not make a p1ss poor attempt to remake it. This goes for any show but when it's also in the same language it really is incomprehensible why they'd bother!

I really like Greg Kinnear, and perhaps I'm doing this show a disservice by comparing it to the brilliant original Australian production, but I can't help myself. I wanted to like this one, especially when Peter Duncan (did I screw up his name? So bad with names...) is involved with this one, too. Unfortunately, from what I saw in the premier, the characters have none of the nuance and substance of the Richard Roxburgh version. The quirkiness, the warmth and the humor are missing entirely! From the get-go Keegan is just a jerk who gets away with sh*t, and no one shows any of the genuine affection for him shown in the original - an integral part of what made the show work. AND of course, it's been completely dumbed down for a US audience.

I don't understand why we can't televise a show made in another country. We must instead recreate it, change it, alter it, RUIN it, to make it "palatable" for American viewers. The intelligence, wit, humor and warmth of the original has been replaced by typical irascible American anti-hero tropes. What was a unique legal and human comedy/drama has been recreated in the same old same old image of a dozen others. If you can get your hands on the original, please run, don't walk, and view a truly brilliant piece of television.

First off let me clarify, the original Aussie Rake is one of my top 10 shows of all time. I haven't yet seen the U. S version as can't seem to get hold of it here in the UK, but will judge it on its own merit and not compare it to the original when I do find it. So, even though I'm yet to see it I feel compelled to make a comment purely based on some of the frustrating comments on here about the original and in particular the main characters behaviour and questions about why call it Rake? First off, you need to understand the meaning of the word Rake. In a historical context, a rake (short for rakehell, analogous to "hellraiser") was a man who was habituated to immoral conduct, particularly womanizing. A rake wastes his money on gambling, wine, women, and song, incurring huge debts in the process. Now, anyone who's seen the original please tell me that Richard Roxburgh captures this perfectly. I like Greg Kinnear a lot and look forward to seeing what he brings to the character, but for me there will only ever be one Clever Greene, and he has an Aussie accent.

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.

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!