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.
do not cancel harrys law. it is one of the best shows on tv.
My husband and look so forward to this show. We laugh, cry and sometimes both at the same time. It so appeals to our interest. We are in our 50’s and record it is we aren’t at home and watch it as soon as we get a chance. Please keep it on. There are so few shows that appeal to our generation..
When there is a plethora of mediocre and brain numbing shows on TV, along comes an outstanding show like Harry’s Law. I cannot believe that you are even considering canceling this brilliant show. I always looked forward to seeing this intelligent, well written and inspiring hour of quality TV. Please don’t leave me with shows like The Bachlorette or The Survivor. They are such brainless shows.
Please keep Harry’s Law. I so enjoy watching every episode; Kathy Bates is great and the rest of the cast pull it all together. I love the drama combined with comedy – what a refreshing idea. It is so nice to have a choice from the mindless reality shows. Seriously, there are too many; makes a person wonder why they have a TV with less and less to watch.
There is a reason why NBC ratings are low. Harry’s Law was one of the few shows that actually had any subject matter to keep you awake. I just looked at the remaining shows on all the networks and realize that CBC is whipping all of the other networks. HARRY’s LAW was unique and entertaining. Imagine, entertaining.
I think you need to cancel some of your executives instead of Harry’s Law. While you’re at it, put the Weather back in the Weather Channel. Weather isn’t suppose to be a documentary, it’s suppose to be current conditions. That’s what I think!
Please don’t cancel Harry’s Law. I enjoy Kathy Bates and her courtroom drama. Even though she is a gun-loving conservative – her legal briefings and summations are the kind of views we need to hear more of and in many ways makes people think about they listen to and how they interpret what happens in the media and politics. I find her show not only entertaining but educational as well!
One of the best 3 shows on TV. Please don’t pull it.
Harry’s law is going the way of another good TV show.. Chase why in the world would you cancel a show which has such great actors. Both of them….the casts mesh well and delivers great performances each week. Not one bad show between them.Kathy Bates is wonderful and it stinks anything with merit, good story line and entertainment is canceled. You ask what could be done to attract more viewers…THAT’S YOUR JOB….myself, my family and most of our friends are watching.
This is so disappointing. The mindless reality shows are taking over TV. Please give us a choice. The characters, the depth of the stores, the wit, and Kathy Bates are the absolute best! Switch networks, do something. Just let us keep Harry’s Law.
This show is one of the most entertaining on TV. Has a great deal of humor and Kathy Bates is excellent. Please do not cancel this show.
Better than 80% of the shows on TV.
I love Harry’s Law! So, of course, the network is thinking of dumping it. Kathy Bates is amazing, and one of the few smartly written dramas on TV…. hmm, actually can’t think of another one. It is the only smartly written drama on TV. But, yeah, let’s have another reality show or better yet, Wonder Woman. God….maybe Kathy Bates will take it to cable!
Please, please don’t cancel Harry’s Law. Kathy Bates is one of the best actresses, and the cast is outstanding. Love the chemestry and the talent. I just saw the finale epsisode. I had tears rolling down my face, it was so touching. I think the show is intelligent, and smart. It touches on social commentaries, and relevent issues. It also can be lots of fun, a bit of comedy. I’m hoping that the show will continue to survive!!!
Please do not cancel Harry’s law.
Please rethink cancelling this show. It is one of the bright spots in a sea of mindless reality shows. The cast is great and works well together. So much chemestry! Please keep it, Kathy Bates is amazing!
As Ceasar was right: Give them bread and circus’s. is a metaphor for a superficial means of appeasement. It was the basic Roman formula for the well-being of the population, and hence a political strategy unto itself.[citation needed] In the case of politics, the phrase is used to describe the creation of public approval, not through exemplary or excellent public service
WHAT!