Bochco Is "Raising the Bar" with Another Legal Show

Steven Bochco is best known for his legal and cop television shows. This week he has another title to add to his list of shows as Raising the Bar premieres on TNT. Raising the Bar is another legal drama of Bochco's that takes place in the Bronx. The 10-episode series is based on Indefensible, a book by public defender David Feige. It stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Commander in Chief, NYPD Blue, and originally Saved by the Bell) as an idealistic public defender, Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle) as a haughty judge, and Melissa Sagemiller (Sleeper Cell) as an idealistic assistant district attorney. On Monday, September 1, the new series will air, with a pilot directed by Jesse, Bochco's son.

The elder Bochco's past work in television production has lasted four decades and he has earned ten Emmy's over this time. Despite his years of success, Bochco says that he hasn't figured out what makes a hit show. But, as the producer of Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue, L.A. Law, and others, I'm sure he has an idea. His other series became hits on their own accord, never did he have to resort to "putting a gun to people's heads and [then saying], 'OK, you're marrying this material, now learn to love it.'" So, come Monday, we'll see how Bochco's next venture does without "putting a gun" on perspective viewers' heads.

Sources: L.A. Times