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 should definitely be renewed-the story line-the acting is great-the only problem is that it’s up against -Modern Family – The network needs to change the time and it will do very well
My husband and I watched all the episodes of Harry’s Law and enjoyed it thoroughly. It is rare that my husbnd watches TV. So, if he enjoyed the show it is a good reason to keep it on the air. Kathy Bates is hilarious!!!!
My husband and I watch this show every time it is on. We love it!!!! It is so different, funny and cute. We really wish it would stay on TV. We will miss it if it goes off the air!!!!
It seems whenever we like a TV show, the network finds some reason to pull it. It is a good show—beats all the “reality” and game shows that are on TV. PLEASE KEEP IT ON TV!!!!!
I love this show! Actually it’s about the only decent thing on television anymore. It’s funny, outrageous at times but hits on real topics. Most other programs are simply ridiculous like 2 & 1/2 men, bang theory etc. Please don’t cancel this show
The show is so good. It was the best when they were in the bad neighborhood with the young black man watching over them. I don’t like that new female atorney they brought in. She is so boring and does not add anything to the show. I love Harry and Tommy being together. The cases they do are so good and relate to what is going on in the world.
Go back to the original format, that is what drew me to the show.
Best show on t.v. but I think it was better when the show was in a seedy neighborhood and was located in a shoe store.
I think Harrys Law is a real good show, and it would be a shame if it was canceled.
I would be very upset if this show gets cancelled. It is one of the best shows on TV.
I love Harry’s Law. I would be upset if it was cancelled.
All this show really needs is James Spader and William Shatner….watch the ratings go thru the roof if that happens! Boston Legal had it all but this show is really lacking, not only in story lines, humor, and defined characters, but in development. For instance; the episode where two sisters were accused of murder (similar to a Boston Legal episode where 2 brothers were accused of murder) the sister episode didn’t work and both sisters ended up guilty of murder when one was clearly innocent……the Boston Legal epsisode worked when each brother accused the other and it ended up that… Read more »
This series is wonderful. Along with it being very entertaining, it is informative and “gutsy” in that they address many recent issues the public interest is peeked. I do hope Harry’s Law is brought back to television…soon.
best show thats been on tv in a long time .we love harry’s law the trouble is you never know when its going to be on if you happen to catch it on weds then they rerun the same show again two or three nights later know dought it would have less viewers no one knows when to watch for it. again the best program thats been on tv in a long-long time
We LOVE this show. Miss it and hope it will come back.
I think Harry’s Law has fascinating and unique topics that can later discussed and even research. They are always timely ( as the episode about granting human rights to the gorila), gay adoptions etc. The acting is great, but I agree with the previous comment that it should return to the shoe shop. I have not liked the ambience since it became a huge office. I was also concerned about Kathy Bates’ health, she sounded as if she had a horrible cold there for a while. Please don’t cancel it. You all seem to cancel anything that has some intelligence… Read more »
This was a very unique show and I love it. I even watched the reruns. This part of Harry was made for Kathy Bates. She reminds me of Perry Mason in female attire. I can’t speak too highly of this show. All my friends and neighbors watch it ( when they can find it) Stop moving it around…and RENEW it. I did like it better when the shoe shop was part of the background and story. Working in a poor neighborhood did a lot for the show. I continue to watch it and will as long as I can. I… Read more »