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 can’t believe NBC would cancel a highly rated series like Harry’s Law. Finally a series with substance and they are cancelling it. They are sabotaging their own network! I, like MANY viewers, love this series and are utterly shocked that NBC is volunteering to degrade their network even further. Someone with a brain for success needs to step up and soon. Don’t take a winning series and dump it! Save this show with the wonderful Kathy Bates and the rest of the cast – PLEASE.
Keep Harry’s Law on the air! Certainly one of the best dramas to be recently aired. Entertaining weekly plot which often dared touch on controversial subject matter and interesting / sometimes quirky character developments. Not everyone who watches TV wants to view mindless comedies or yet another reality or competetion show. Great story / Great acting / Believable characters!!
I hope the network will reconsider cancelling “Harry’s Law.” It is such a well written show and is one of the only shows in this genre my husband and I look forward to each week.
Maybe the TV schedule sould be all true reality shows with the reality cameras
Harry’s Law is so entertaining. I am so tired of “reality shows” that aren’t very real! Please don’t cancel.
This is one of the best shows on t.v. Please don’t cancel it. It is so much better than all those reality shows
One of the best shows ever, it is shame to see it go! It is amazing how they keep complete garbage on the air and get rid of all the good stuff. I loved it! This show had a bit of everything humor, drama, and an amazing cast. This is a big mistake, I will probably not watch anymore shows on NBC for a long time it isn’t worth it every time they get something good they cancel it!
Please Please keep Harrys law what an enjoyable show, always looked forward to Sunday night, now not so much. Please reconsider your audience and what they what to view.
Please Please keep Harrys law what an enjoyable show, always looked forward to Sunday night, now not so much. Please reconsider your audience and what they what to view.
Oh Oh Oh Please Keep Harrys Law it makes us enjoy TV once again, its not a Reality Show, way to many of those on these days.
Loved Harry’s Law and the actors!
Please do not cancel this show. It is one of the few things that NBC has to offer! Most of your other programs stink! If this gets cancelled I will stop watching NBC all together! It is a great show and I would like to see more next year.
What a shame! Wonderful legal arguments – most of which approached the lapses of good sense as it applies to today’s law and the courtroom. Loved the show, the actors and actresses and the plots. Someone at NBC is out of touch – really though – aren’t all the Corporate biggies out of touch?
Please renew Harry’s Law….It is a wonderful show…one of the very BEST.
this is one of the few programs we watch. please, please, please bring it back. drop all those stupid reality shows. “yuck”