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.
It’s the best show on NBC and for that matter one other networks as well and we record and watch each and every episode.. I am retired from Show business, Music to be exact and The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra where members talk about Harry and hew Law and some of the “Suits” at NBC say it’s a no no and you go along with it? get real as you have a winner here like the top shows many years ago on network TV.. I get Direct TV and can watch 100s of channels but when your Harry is on we… Read more »
For the 1st time in years, I am treated to true entertainment. A laugh, a cry, many emotions have been brought about by an endearing cast! It is nice to be treated so well intellectually and NOT insulted by so called REALITY shows. Find a good slot (shame on programming authorities) with a higher viewership as a lead in, promote Harry’s Law and guaranteed ratings WILL increase !!! Do not steal a good, enjoyable program from its many fans!!!
Please do not cancel Harry’s Law! There are so few really intelligently written shows that hold the interest of anyone over 50 and that age group probably watches more TV than any other. This means we see the ads and promotions and we are more likely to buy the products since we have the funds …so please give this more thought.
The show is great! Kathy Bates is terrific. Can’t we have a smart law show?
Please don’t cancel this series, it has great scripts and superb acting. Try placing it in a decent timeslot. I so look forward to it every week. It’s entertainment at it’s best. There are a few of us adults out here that are not interested in mindless youths drinking and sleeping around, or this single guy/gal trying to find mister/ms. perfect in 13 weeks, come-on enough of the reality garbage that’s on T.V. right now, a good show with amusing, thoughtful, fearless characters is television worth watching.
Watching so little T.V., I can take it or leave it. However, after seeing Harry’s Law, I became a regular. (As regular as one could be with all the change of times and cancellations). My husband and I look forward to our hour with Harry’s law firm and her eloquent words. We hope it will not be cancelled. NBC would be wise to make it a “keeper”.
Do not cancel. Do not change anything about the show. Harry is awesome. She is kick butt attorney. Very good show.
PLEASE save Harry’s Law..it is one of the best written shows we have to watch. The actors do such a great job. My friends and I look forward to it each week and then the discussion about it the next day. I am 52 so I am in that older group, but we shouldn’t be denied this show because of our age!!
Why would you even consider cancelling Harry’s Law !!!
leave it on tired of reality TV. why do you cancell half way deceient shoiws.
leave it on tired of the reality TV. thanks
Please tell me this is not true. I love this show and the cast is great. I love all the back-handed humor and personalities. I think the writers are very creative and they don’t allow Harry and team to alway win. These days it’s hard to find something that’s worth a weekly TIVO/DVR schedule. I’ve laughed, cried and yelled at various times during this show, all of which means it prompts somekind of emotions, that too is unusual these days for a TV series.
This is one of the very best programs on TV.Why cancel a show that actually has a plot? These stupid reality shows are inane.Most of them can’t ,sing, dance or even tell a joke.Please keep Harry’s Law on.Quit moving it around in different time slots.Give it a chance to build an audience. NBC has done it before,they can again.They should remember that middle-aged and older people have money to spend. We choose where to spend it.I won’t be watching NBC if Harry’s Law is cancelled!
Please Harry’s Law on. TV is such a wasteland these days and it is refreshing to have at least one adult program on Sunday. With the advent of all the reality tv series and stupid game shows there hardly seems a reason to turn the tv on. I am a fan of the whole cast and how there characters interact. I don’t need a wonder woman series that will be off after a couple of broadcasts – yawn.
Bring Harry’s Law back. It’s a program for thinking people. Wonder Woman, are you kidding ?.