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.
Harry’s Law is one of the best shows on TV right now. Please don’t take that enjoyment away from my week. Janet Snyder
Totally enjoy the show. Most are not worth watcbing; this one is. Renew and keep. Wish its new time would be a week night, not Sunday.
I love this show. I think the cast of characters works well together and it is just a good show and not like all the others. It stretches the mind and is enjoyable where as so many of the shows have so much filthy language they are not enjoyable to watch. When are you going to cut out some of the filthy language the guests are allowed to get by with? Cut out some of the shows that set bad examplesfor everyone with all the killing and brutality.
No, No, NO, – do not cancel this show. Great cast, great story lines. One of the very few shows worth watching.
please save Harry”s Law, thought it was going to sunday nights, but i can’t find it anywhere.
Love this show! Suggest that they quit moving it to different nights and leave it somewhere long enough to see if it has a good following – which I’m sure it will. Love the cast, story lines and Kathy Bates. Please bring it back.
Please bring Harry’s Law back. Love the show. Why does the stupid shows stay on and great ones go off? Let me know when it will return.
I will be very sad to see such a show as Harry’s Law canceled. There are not many good shows around anymore which leads us to watch Neflix almost every night. Please do not cancel Harry’s Law.
Great show, please don’t cancel it!
I don’t understand why this show and others like it ( Prime Suspect)are cancelled. Are studio execs intimidated by strong women? And 18-49? Are they nuts? When I was in that group I didn’t know what TV was. I was out partying , with friends, taking a class. I’m 71 now. Now is the time to watch TV.
Are these the same people who have a Senate committee on contraception and NOT invite women?
Don’t cancel the show!!!! Take it back downstairs to the show store and those story lines.
I loved the show, and she, being one of my favorite actresses, I’m truly disappointed by the cancellaion,
it should definatly comeback! GREAT SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Harry’s Law is great show. I do not think it should be cancelled. Why is
it everytime you but a good show on the air you go and cancel it.
Please find a way to bring it back. A great line for Friday night
and now your station is playing around with shows you need to
listen to the people that watch your show.
I really enjoyed Harry’s Law. It was different, and even funny at times. I miss it and hope that it is not cancelled for good.
I don’t know how you guys determine who is watching Harry’s Law and who isn’t, but you are making a big mistake if you cancel this outstanding show. The one show I look forward to week after week. It is smart, erudite, funny, sometimes heart-breaking, and meant for an intelligent viewer. Such a happy alternative to all those folks trying to lose weight or find their true love in the middle of a South American rain forest while cavorting around in bikinis. Why don’t you do us poor smart people a favor and keep it on? Harry’s Law makes NBC… Read more »