Rake

Right now, I give it a seven. But it may be better in the future.

I was told that the original is an Australia TV show. And many fans come here to say many things bad about this new re-make... (That's why there should be only "crazy-fan," but no "fan.")

How bad this re-make to be doesn't interest me at all. All I can see is that finally there is a TV show about to challenge the mainstream lifestyle in a civilize way.

There is no mentally unmature teenager who become hero for no reason. Deane is not a nerd, behavior not like Dr.House, career being kind successful, good looking, good talking skill, and a friendly attitude. But everything else in your life are DOA.

That kind of honest is great!! "Hey, you mess up everything and every chance in your life, not because you have to save the world or because you are so lonely and special. You just mess up. Live with that."

Seven, and can be better.

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.

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.

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 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.