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.
Love the show .LEAVE IT ALONE
This is the best show on tv . my family loves it and so do i .
harry’s law should be kept. it has wonderful messages and quality speeches. if the network cancels it, it is even more stupid than most of us think
Harry’s law SHOULD be renewed. The network decision makers need to be cancelled.
Harry’s Law is a GREAT tv show and is very enjoyable. THIS SHOULD NOT BE CANCELLED. There are a few TV shows that are worth watching week to week,, and NBC why would you want to cancel your own best show???? I hope you read all tthese posts
harrys law is the best show on sundays please do not cancell
NBC has gone crazy to think of cancelling Harry’s Law. My husband and I both love it and it is about the only thing we watch on NBC. Story lines are current, great group of actors and of course Kathy Bates is wonderful. I agree moving it around hurt a lot. When NBC finally gets a good show they need to support it.
Please don’t take off this show, i can see it might not have had people watching it cause it was changed days and times we never knew where it was or would turn up, keep it it is a great show….
Harry’s Law is one of the best shows on tv !! Kathy Bates (especially) and the rest of the cast are great. If you take it off the air *while it’s your #1 draw, you’re crazy !!
We love Kathy Bates, no matter what show or movie she has been in! I am somewhat like Harry, in that we both say what we want, even if it is not politically correct or polite. The cases are unusual, which makes the show even more fascinating. I like Adam a lot too, as he is every girl’s brother or best friend. Overall, we can’t wait for Sunday night and Harry!
I think this show is fantantastic. The writers helps me see today’s issues from a persepective that helps me see both sides of a situations. Kathy Bates is wonderful as the sarcastic yet warm hearted Harry. The supporting cast does a great job also. Especially Tommy Jefferson. A man who appears so superficial yet is very vulnerable and hurting.
Keep this show on the schedule for next year
Mary Morris
Love the show. Bring it back. I do find that the “crazy” character is trying to be another “Denny Crane” from Boston Legal, which I am sorry to see gone. It was a good show too.
I look forward to Watching Harry’s Law each week. The cast is wonderful and Cathy Bates has you riveted when she is speaking in court. The episodes have all been interesting. I truly hope this series is not cancelled.
NBC would be very wrong in dropping this wonderful show. My husband and I look forward to watching Harry’s Law every week. It has a little of everything in it that keeps both my husband and I watching. All the characters in this show do a great job and Harry’s Law should be given another chance.
Harry’s Law is a breath of fresh air from the normal shows we are subjected to as so called entertainment. This show is the for thinking person who has outgrown the current brainwashing media and has progressed into reality. (the real reality).