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.
This show was cancelled because the wrong demographic was watching it…as evidenced by the comments on this site (I’M TALKING TO YOU, NON INTERNET SAVVY ALL CAPITAL LETTER MOM AND DAD OF 6.) No offense, but you can tell by reading these that the audience for this show wasn’t exactly the prized young viewer demographic advertisers are going for, which (for better or for worse) has large amounts of disposable income because of fewer responsibilities (and perhaps less common sense), and will spend their money on those products advertised during commercial breaks.
I absolutely loved this program. Always upbeatand funny. Kathy Bates portrays a genuine human being with great character. You just gotta love her. I was very disappointed when it didn’t return this season. Please give it another try. I am sure there are many people out there like myself who enjoy great show like this. The whole cast was wonderful. I also enjoyed the way the little stories in the middle of the big story unfolded, i.e., the relationships of various cast members. Can’t say enough good.
I really enjoy the show and hope it is renewed. It is one of the best on NBC Teaches good values and character.
I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS GREAT SHOW WAS CANCELLED, IT WAS GREAT AND VERY HEARTWARMING. IT SHOWS THE GAP BETWEEN ALL OUR RACIAL TENSIONS IN THE COUNTRY CAN BE CURED BY LISTENING, TRYING TO UNDERSTAND AND STANDING UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. IT SURE BEATS THE SHOWS THAT TEACH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO JUMP IN BED ON THE DATE, HAVE CHILDREN OUT OF WEDLOCK AND MAKE US TOTALLY DOGS IN HEAT. GIVE A GOOD SHOW TO THE YOUNG. THEY WILL LEARN WHAT TO BE LIKE, NOT TO WATCH SHOWS THAT TEACH THEM “IF IT FEELS GOOD, DO IT”. THANK YOU FOR… Read more »
If it means that Mark Valley will be on the air, I’m going to start watching!
Love it hope it stays on. Kathy Bates is awesome per usual. Give it another season I think you’ll be surprised.
I would watch Harry’s Law over wonder woman any day. I really loved the show.
I started watching this show a week ago, on an online website. It’s really good, unlike other legal tv shows, this one is fun. I really would like a second season.
My favorite show, great writing, funny, and timely subject matter.
give this show another season.
I love this show! One of the few shows that still has a good message to deliver. Give it time, you will have a good response and it will be a good show for NBC. Hope execs see this and give it a second season.
I love this show. It is very interesting, and I like the way Harry works. She is so smart and gets the job done no matter what. Keep her on the air and asked her fans to support her and you will get a good response. At least I can sit through the show and not have to turn my head away because of the gore.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoy Harry’s Law. We have watched it regularly. We think it is one of the best programs on TV. We would like to see it in a 9:00 p.m. time-slot. We hope very much that it is renewed for another season.
Donna Baker
I luv this show. I believe the writers are brilliant and I adore Kathy Bates. She’s never looked lovlier. I agree with Allen above, a little more emphasis on the cases. I believe that one problem may be your time slot. By 10pm my husband is asleep. It would also be helpful if we were kept aprised of the air schedule. Sometimes I miss it because I forget it’s on so late and if it’s actually on or not. The cast is fantastic, every one of them, especially Tommy. I also believe that a huge plus is the variety of… Read more »
I really liked Harry’s Law as well did my family and friends. I think you should give it a second chance. I think I would focus on them working cases rather then all their love lifes even though that can be entertaining I think the cases themselfs and the trouble they get in and out of is the best.