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 cannot believe that NBC would be so insane as to cancel the best show on television, what was the problem too close to real politics and Republican vs Democrat. Airheads don’t want to see this kind of a program but then there’s the rest of us, possibly seniors and people who like to get their brains wrapped around a real story not some brainless reality show. Guess what, just ask what is the fastest growing section of our country…the Baby Boomers !!! It would be smart of NBC to reconsider your decision or step up FOX and show NBC… Read more »
Its a exception good show.
I hope that this show is not cancelled. It is entertaining, intelligent and has great acting. Maybe the show should go back to just running out of the shoe store. With all the nonsense that is on tv now, I find it insane to cancel something like Harry’s Law.
I think NBC execs have PLUM lost their minds!! Why would you pull the plug on a series that ranks second in viewership? It may not garner watchers from the 18-49 demographic, but it sure has most every 50-infinity viewer watching! We’re losing “House” and now “Harry”. What is left, the next version of tone-deaf auditioners, or another “kill me before I kill you” police drama? Better to cancel my cable subscription and curl up with a good book. Its not too late, NBC. Just like the fans resurrecting “Cagney and Lacey” and for two years shocking the s—- (shoes?)… Read more »
Do not cancel this show, we love it! X
This is an intelligent, current, humorous, program with very strong women. It is horrible that it has been canceled for some more humorous airhead show. Is that what you thing of you intelligent viewer. this is a damn shame. Perhaps if you had not tried to gentrify the program so much. Excellent cast, with surpurb inter-relationships but going back to some of the oriningal “shoe store” story ideas might have helped. What did you actually do to try to promote more viewers???? Very bad management. Very very decision to cancel. This is wrong, wrong, wrong!!!!
Harry’s Law is the only reason’s I ever look at NBC. Kathy Bates is great as a cranky, yet caring lawyer.
If it’s cancelled, there goes my only reason for tuning in to NBC.
PLEASE KEEP HARRY LAW ON TV THE WHOLE CAST IS GREAT ESPECIALLY KATHE BATES. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED HER MOVIES. SHE IS SO GOOD. YOU DON’T REALIZE WHAT A WASTE OF TALENT YOU ARE THROWING AWAY ONLY BECAUSE OF THE AGES OF THE VIEWERS.. aLL THE YOUNGER VIEWERS WANT TO SEE IS FOOD SHOWS, HOUSEWIVES OF YOU NAME IT. ANYTING THAT IS REALITY THEY WATCH. THEY AREN’T INTERESTED IN MEANINGFUL SHOWS WITH A PLOT. US BABY BOOMERS SHOULD HAVE SOME RIGHTS TOO. JUST BECAUSE WE ARE A LITTLE OLDER YOU ALL ACT LIKE WE DON’T MATTER, BUT WE DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is one of the best shows and to cancel it is disgusting.
No wonder NBC stinks in ratings, they don’t keep the shows worth watching!! I love Harry’s Law and I am devastated that it is being cancelled! That was the one show that NBC aired that was worth watching. I have seen every episode and I doubt anything they put in its place I will view. I surely hope that someone else picks up Harry’s Law. Keep showing those stupid reality shows and sitcoms, you will end up with no viewers!! BRING HARRY’S LAW BACK!!!!!!
nbc sucks will not watch nothing in its place.
What is it about David Kelley’s series and series longevity? They are always stupendous…brilliant, articulate. intellectual, wry, thought provoking. Why can’t you TV decision makers leave him alone. That was the best darn show on tv. Oh…I get it..Harry wasn’t a body-hottie…just a brain hottie…and YOU have to pander to the lowest common denominator here. I AM FURIOUS!
I am so disappointed that Harry’s Law is going to be canceled. It’s one of my favorite shows. Everyone I have spoken to also loves the show. NBC, please reconsider and renew Harry’s Law.
I cant believe they are cancelling harrys law. I love it.Just because older people like it doesnt mean its not good. Dont forget if older people dont vote we probably wouldnt have any one in office.If nbc does drop it ,i hope a cable co will pick it up.They seem to give their programs a chance. Lately cable is getting alot better. You people who cancel these shows are getting older and you wont like to be told that if older people like it ,lets cancel it. renew it please.
harry law cancell are you kidding every time we have a adult program we senior can relate to you take it off the air/ gifted man is another one what the mater with you guys. two and a half men is stupit how I met your mother another one. but you keep putting them on . this world is in bad shape………..
I love Harry’s Law! Like many other people, I record everything I watch on tv. Harry’s Law is one of my top favorite programs. Networks put to much into their rating. I’m sick of brain dead realty tv with high ratings. Who watches that crab.
This is a really good show. To take The New Wonder Woman over Harry’s Law is a big joke. Wasn’t it NBC that let Southland go only for TNT to pick it up and it’s doing very well. NBC will regret this move. Stop depending on the younger crowd and have shows that appeal to an older audience. Taking good shows off the air is probably why NBC is last and has rating problems. Keep this show on the air. It deserves another season!!