Rake

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 The intelligence, wit, humor and warmth of the original has been replaced by typical irascible American anti-hero tropes.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.

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!

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.

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.

Rake reminds me of Franklin & Bash but instead of being charming the lead character is just an ass. He belongs behind an ambulance and not in a courtroom. He is completely inconsiderate and unrealistically seems to pull a lot of women. Super fake and totally vapid show.

This is not the worst show ever but there is nothing likable about any of the characters. They have no dimension and end up getting themselves into weird situations. The cases are equally unconvincing. Also for a comedy, it was not funny. A little bit sad maybe.

There is a reason why this show only lasted one season. There are many shows that have come before it and tackled the subject matter much more successfully. Fail.