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.
I very much like Kathy Bates both as an actress and as the character “Harry”; but as for the show itself, I do not really care for the inner-office snits, flirtations, heartbreaks, and hissy fits. The courtroom scenes, on the other hand, are usually interesting and the arguments well presented and intriguing. I especially liked the episodes with the wonderful Jean Smart. Give it a chance and bring it back.
Keep it without question; the show has a great group of characters (as all David E. Kelly shows have) but his shows touch on so many, many ideas, our stengths and weaknesses as a country and a people……Kelly hits home on so many things and always well worth watching whether you agree or disagree with the outcome
Tonight was my first disappointment in Harry’s Law. How did the high school girl get off?” It is illegal to sell drugs and that is just what she did and the doctor implied it was wrong. “O” should not have been mentioned. The gov’t does not belong in our personnel lives, like this. However, this allows this girl to go on to college and deal with drugs., No standards or moral issues anymore in our young people and some adults. I objected at this program tonight.( It would have been appropriate if Harry LOST this case). Other than this, I… Read more »
Really lame. This last episode with the “talent” show was the worst. I couldn’t stomach it . So bad that I deleted the episode after the first 15 minutes. Then deleted the series recording. Really lame episodes leading up to this — getting disabled kids kicked out of school, an expensive legal fight to get rights for a gorilla instead of buying the critter and the cigarette company vendetta that denies any personal responsibility. (I used to smoke and quit 30 years ago. ) Cancel it. The show is so damaged I don’t think even a new staff of writers… Read more »
love Harry’s Law. It is a great show. Grreat adult entertainment. Don’t cancel it. Wish NBC would find a time and leave it there. I do like the Sunday time.
Harry’s Law is such a great show and I hope it returns next season.
Thank you,
C. Hall
Harry’s Law is a great show..aloot better than some on television now days. The story line and the charaters are great!!! Thats the problem with the networks the think its a good idea to re arrange shows and they end up down poorly in ratings..just leave things alone..If its aint broke don’t fix it!!!!!
I’ve always been a big Kathy Bates fan; she can play anything, but apparently even she can’t save the severe downslide of Harry’s Law. Was an outstanding show the first season. Now I don’t know what in tarnation they call themselves doing. Too many characters; the new girl is unlikable. And why is Mark Valley’s character there? To stand around looking pretty?
I loved the first season of Harry law why in the world did you change the format. I would love it if somehow they could go back to the original format because It was actually one of the best written shows last year. Please dont cancel just find away to return to the original concept.
I loved the first season of Harry’s Law…This season really sucks. It was 3 people against a crule world, and they won. Now it is a big law firm, too many people, everyone is sleeping with everyone. Way too big an office, and they are losing cases. I truley loved the first season and I love Kathy Bates. The writers are really scewing the show up. I hate to see it happen…….:(
My husband and I SO enjoy Harry’s Law. We love the controversial issues that Harry and her staff deal with daily. Please leave it on Sunday night as there is NOTHING ELSE to watch!
We love Harry’s Law! There are very few programs that my husband. And I both enjoy.
NBC should renew this wonderful show, and KEEP IT IN THE SAME TIME SLOT !!
Hey, here’s an idea: Kat McPhee should have a guest spot on Harry’s Law – maybe that would kick up the ratings!!!
We love Harry’s law here at our house. The biggest problem is NBC messing around with the scheduling and burying it on Sat. night. I hope it comes back, but as much as I love Kathy Bates, I wish they would do something more attractive with her hair.
Harry’s Law is good entertainment, a really good program that should definitely NOT be cancelled. NBC — please let this show live longer, don’t cancel it.