A couple months ago, NBC premiered a new legal TV series from David E. Kelley called Harry’s Law. The series started out decently in the ratings but has fallen quite a bit since then. Tonight is the season finale. Will it be back for season two or end up cancelled?
Harry’s Law revolves around Harriet “Harry” Korn (Kathy Bates), a cranky former patent lawyer. She’s abruptly fired from a big firm, forcing Harry to search for a fresh start. She 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 Harry and gives up his corporate job to join the team. With the help of Harry’s footwear-obsessed assistant, Jenna (Brittany Snow), they open for business as Harriet’s Law and Fine Shoes.
The NBC series debuted in January with a 2.2 rating in the prized 18-49 demographic and 11.07 million viewers. That was an improvement of nearly 50% in the demo when compared to the last original episode of Chase, the previous timeslot occupant and NBC has had a hard time filling that spot for quite some time. The second episode only came down 5% to a 2.1 rating and 10.43 million. Week three held steady. It was looking like NBC had a hit — or as close as the network seems to get these days.
Then, the fourth installment took a big tumble, dropping 19% to a 1.7 demo rating and 9.22 million. It stayed at that level for a couple weeks, popped up to a 1.8 rating, and has most recently been holding steady at a 1.6 rating. That’s pretty close to what Chase had been doing and that’s all but cancelled.
Tonight marks the twelfth and final episode of the season and Harry’s Law is averaging a 1.8 rating and 9.54 million viewers. It’s the 10th highest rated scripted series on the network, tied with Chuck. On the other big networks, the series would certainly doomed but NBC has lots of ratings problems.
In truth, based on the demo numbers alone, NBC shouldn’t bring back this series for a second season. However, though it ranks towards the bottom of the demo rankings, it’s the most-watched TV show on the network. Though that doesn’t count for much, considering the state of NBC, it may be enough to get Harry’s Law a renewal.
On the other hand, with David E. Kelley likely having another series on NBC next season — the new Wonder Woman — network execs might prefer that he focus on that one and let Harry’s Law go. If they don’t like the Wonder Woman pilot, that may be enough to save Kathy Bates and company.
NBC probably won’t reveal the fate of Harry’s Law until the advertiser upfronts on May 16th. We’ll keep you posted.
What do you think? Should Harry’s Law be renewed or cancelled? If it does comes back, how would you suggest they change it to attract more viewers?
Image courtesy NBC.
Fantastic!! It’s returning! Best show on the network…entire cast, crew and producer (David Kelley). The writers have a winner.
i think there are to many reality shows,that are silly . harrys law was wonderful when ever you get a good show on you mess it up,especially for the ederly they dont give a darn about reality shows the only reality shows are worth watching is survival island and big brother.
Loved it; bring it back
I read all the comments regarding Harry’s Law. And, I have to agree that the show
should definitely be brought back on the air. It’s a show where you want to think ahead
about what might happen. In other words, you have to use your brain; not just sit on the
sofa like a lump. Ninety eight percent of today’s programs are either crude, too violent
to watch, too explicit or just plain trash. Harry’s Law is a breath of fresh air. Please
put it back on the air. Thank you.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Harry’s Law. Kathy Bates is great and love the cast. So hard to find programs that have sex and filty language in. There is always something good to be learned from this program. Keep it on the air.
We LOVE Harry’s Law, and are concerned that we are hearing nothing about it in the promos for the fall shows. (as of July 4, 2011) If it is given a chance to start the new season, it may grow and develop quite a following. Some of us really like intelligent writing, good acting, and thought-provoking plot lines.
Gene and Dorothy » It’s returning in the fall.
Please bring back Harry’s Law. It is TV at it’s best!
Harry’s Law is one of the best series on television. Not only does it show women as intelligent, accomplished and compassionate. It does it without a sex object and with very little violence. I look forward to Monday nights on NBC just for this wonderful series. If you don’t bring it back you will disappoint millions of fans.
PLEASE!!!!! renew Harry’s Law. I really loved Mondays so I could sit down and watch the show with my husband(who is also a big fan of the show).
Can you please let me know as soon as possible so I can plan my Monday nights.I really do not watch much TV but I love your show.
Thank you,
Flora
I would like the show to come back. It was one of the only shows that women/girls could enjoy. I miss it and realize that the stupid shows must be what others want
while shows that have a real story are gone forever. NBC did not realize the numbers must have come by people who do not have any smarts…
I am watching Hot in Cleveland and it seems like the TV Land channel know what we want.
This a show with passion,integrety and content. The lady isn’t blonde, size 2 or shootig a gun. It is one of the shows I have seen in decades. It shou definitly be brought ack. It shows women are compassionate,hard woorking and care about their fellow man.
I love this show so much. Love Lathy Bates and her character. Love how one minute you are laughing, one minute you are angry and the next sad. Please bring it back…..there’s not too many shows that bring my husband to the set, other than sports, so please bring it back!!!
A great show! Can’t wait til its return. Wonderful characters. A nd good stories.
Harry’s Law was one of the best shows out there, no bloody killing, sex , etc. Just a decent show with a good story line. Esp. with Kathy Bates timing and execution. I guess the more killing and sex and language is what gets on the air. Too bad for the kids and people like me who want decent programs to watch. Bring it back PLEASE.
Harry’s Law is a program that I look forward to each week. The insite and wit of the writers are supberb. It should definitely be renewed for next season. Wonderful program. Bring it back please!
i hope they bring it back–i enjoyed it so much!!! i cried at the end!!!