Last week, NBC unveiled their newest legal drama series, Harry’s Law. Interestingly, this isn’t a new Law & Order spin-off but rather the brainchild of David E. Kelley who created shows like ABC’s Boston Legal. He also worked on NBC’s popular LA Law many years ago. Will this legal series last as long as those or be quickly cancelled instead?
Harry’s Law revolves around Harriet “Harry” Korn (Kathy Bates), a curmudgeonly ex-patent lawyer. She’s abruptly fired from her blue chip law firm, forcing her to search for a fresh start. Harry finds it when she meets Malcolm Davies (Aml Ameen), a college student who desperately needs her help and ends up working for her. A young legal hotshot named Adam Branch (Nate Corddry) accidentally hits her and gives up his corporate job to join the team. With the help of Harry’s shoe-obsessed assistant, Jenna (Brittany Snow), they open for business as Harriet’s Law and Fine Shoes.
The TV series debuted last Monday and it attracted an okay 2.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 11.07 million viewers. It ranked in second place for the timeslot though probably would have been third if Castle had not been a repeat. Though that’s not a great debut, it’s a 47% improvement over Chase’s last original episode in the same timeslot. That’s very positive for NBC.
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Last night’s episode of Harry’s Law drew a 2.1 in the demo and 10.43 million viewers. That’s a loss of about 5% in the demo from the premiere but still positive since most shows lose between 10 and 15% of their viewership in week two. Most people who watched last week obviously liked it and returned and perhaps even told a friend or two.
After just two airings, Harry’s Law ranks in sixth place on the list of NBC’s most-watched scripted programs, just below 30 Rock. That’s very positive, especially considering NBC’s string of bad luck in the Mondays at 10pm timeslot. If the series can sustain or even build on these early numbers, it looks certain that NBC will renew it for season two.
But, what do you think? Do you like Harry’s Law? Do you think NBC should keep it going or just cancel it? What do you like or dislike about the new series?
Image courtesy NBC.
I’m a fan of Boston Legal and i like Kathy Bates here but there’s just too much of BL that is recycled here. Harriet not being a hugger (Alan Shore), that Thomas Jefferson lawyer’s, fast repetitive talk and eccentric demeanor (Denny Crane), Harriet indirectly ‘advising’ her client to flee (like Alan did)… I know this is unfair picking and comparison but it would take much better cases and charisma to fill the void that BL has left 🙁
to many shows like this already
I hope they keep it, yes, a lot of it bordered on the absurd. I am a huge Kathy Bates fan and I think this is a show worth watching. I loved Boston Legal and I think this show has big potential. Lets give it a chance, before we wipe it out.
I have deleted the show from my line-up. I enjoy the cast and premise but am unhappy with the conservative bashing that has happened with each show. The episodes would not have lost any impact if the “political references” had been omitted or at least 2 sides of the issues shared. I watch shows for entertainment–not politics!
Seen two episodes and that is enough. Too much ignorant liberal simplification of issues. This week the armed robber black grandmother expressed her envy for those who had EARNED their wealth by saying “where’s mine?” as justification from robbing a store for food. Guess she didn’t have any soup kitchens in her town, or churches, or Salvation Army, or Goodwill. This show sucks.
David E. Kelley, dean of the legal teleplay, is in top form with Harry’s Law, albeit in his serio-comic way, he stretched the premise to establish the bit. A suicidal black falling from the sky (Deus ex machina) to land upon a patent attorney is patently absurd. Then, to have a corporate lawyer hit her with his car (whereupon she lands on a mattress and he joins her claptrap storefront firm) strains all credulity, but with bows to our willingness to suspend disbelief, we’re off and running. And the pursuit has its payoff: enjoying what Kelley does best, does superbly,… Read more »
Deleted it from the DVR. Too much liberal propaganda and conservative diss’s
When I saw the previews I that this show looks ridiculous, but I was going to watch the 1st episode and check it out. To my surprise, I really like the show and plan on continuing to watch it.
I really like the characters, and the interaction between them
I loved both episodes so far. Definitely a keeper.
My husband and I really enjoy the show. The cast is very good and I like the banter between characters. It has tough competition with Castle, but we DVR both and watch them when it’s convenient. Please let it run.
I love the show and will continue to watch, although I’m not sure I would have watched it without Kathy Bates. The quirky premise has grown on me, though. And I love Harry. She’s great. Keep it!
We love the show – very original. Kathy Bates is great.
Deleted Harry’s Law from my DVR series recording after the 2nd episode. Loved the premise and supporting cast but Bates came across as “walking through the motions”. Maybe I hold her to a higher standard, as I’ve always loved her acting. But what really lost me was all the liberal political propaganda and blatant digs on conservatives. Hollywood has a huge platform, but I’ve got the remote control.
I am a 67 year old senior (but healthy and hip). I love Kathy Bates and the premise of the show. The Beginning of the first episode was delightful! To my horror: (because I half expected it–LOVED BOSTON LEGAL–until—) the series became a vehicle for liberal propaganda. Can’t you just be happy with a great script with great actors? Also, I thought the public use of “douche bag” was too much and out of character for an aged and admired attorney. TV entertainment is soooooooooooo hard to find!
Well said !!!
I agree. It appers that after the writer’s strike many years ago television has gone down the tubes. There can’t be a show without sex, profanity, and people fighting. When a good show like Harry’s Law comes along it gets ruined.
I agree. Your view morrors mine.
Ellen is so right about the liberal propaganda in shows. It was exactly what I said to my husband about the show while we were watching it. There are so few shows that we watch on network TV, when a good one comes along, its gets ruined by the writers own political views.
Healthy and hip Ellen is correct. If I want to watch liberal propaganda I can always turn to MSNBC. Its a good show except for the left leaning slant. There are so few good shows on network TV, keep the writers political views out of it and maybe the viewers will come back.
I love the show, and honestly this is the first time I have ever watch a D.Kelley show. I love it. I hope it makes it.