But I was wrong, and in a curious way I’m glad. It was part way through Raising the Bar that the face of public defence lawyer Jerry Kellerman suddenly rang its own bell in my sub-conscious. The actor in question is Mark-Paul Grosselaar, the same unbelievably smug Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell, and you might not actually believe me, but in this he can act! No, really, he’s good. However implausible I’d have found saying that a week ago, it’s true. I missed him in NYPD Blue, so I don’t know if he demonstrated these abilities then, but he’s using them now. Based on the first episode this isn’t exactly Murder One quality material, but it’s actually quite edgy in places and takes delight in exploring the motivation of characters rather than what they just do or say. In the first story Kellerman locks horns with the certifiable Judge Judy Kessler, played by Jane Kaczmarek, and ends up in prison with his client for his troubles. Yes, that’s the same women who played Malcolm in the Middle’s mother! Is there some sort of theme developing here? Actually no, because all the other actors have been culled from grown up TV, thankfully. They include Gloria Reuben (ER), Currie Graham (Desperate Housewives) and J. August Richards (Angel). In a typical Bochco twist after the conclusion of the main story we’re presented with vital pieces of information about the characters that entirely alter our perception of them. It’s divisive, but it made me want to see episode two despite the obviousness of his manipulation. I’m not predicting a Perry Mason run for Raising the Bar, but it’s sufficiently different for it to establish an audience if the writing quality remains consistent.
