First off, why is this show called Rake? It should be called Idiot since the main character is just that. There have been many endearing shows where the main character exhibits eccentricities, but this show takes it too far.Secondly, the cases presented thus far have all been recycled from other, better, legal dramas. Programs that at least take legality into consideration when writing their scripts.Thirdly, the humor (or better, attempted humor) in this program is more mean-spirited than funny, but only when it is not completely without taste.Fourthly, the supporting characters, such as the mayor, are just as corrupt and nonredeemable as the main character, as are their subordinates and associates.Fifthly, the main character seems fine with his teenage son having an affair with his high school teacher, although that really says more about the pathetic writing staff then the storyline itself.And lastly, when the characters on a scripted show behave worse than those in the current batch of reality show crap, then it's time to Rake that show under the carpet and pretend it was never there.

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!

Terrible. I really like Greg Kinnear. It seems that he should be exactly the right fit for this role. He is not. I saw 2 episodes and then made the horrible mistake of watching the Australian version. So much about what the show should have been or was trying to be was made clear. I can't believe how different the two shows are. I sincerely hope that the American version is cancelled. Don't bother with this one - find a DVD of the original. I agree with other posters- why can't we just show the Australian version on our TV, or better yet, just create a different show that actually has some merit. I understand why US TV doesn't want to portray a gambling, coke snorting, prostitute loving, adulterous criminal attorney as an antihero. Or the pedophiliac relationship between the AU son and his french teacher. But the alternative they've come up with is unappetizing in every aspect. Why do networks continue to pander to the lowest common denominator? I would like to see an adult TV show. In fact there are a couple I quite like on TV right now. I am sure they wull be cancelled soon.

I like Greg Kinnear -I have seen that he can be very funny. This show is okay, no more, I have given it 3 episodes of my valuable time and will not continue watching, it just isn't good enough. The pilot introduced too many people, there was just a little bit too much of the "oh, I am a bad boy, owe the wrong people money, and make everybody I meet hate me"... and be totally charmed at the same time. The two following episodes was just more of the same, lots of bad luck and bad decisions. Not as funny as it could have been. Kee, or whatever weird name they have given the main character, never seems to finish anything, so it seems pretty unlikely that he would have finished college and law school, most people with his type of messed up personality don't. Greg Kinnear deserve a much better script. And if you have seen the trailer, don't bother with the show, you will have seen The joke...