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.
PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL HARRY’S LAW………GOOD ACTING……GOOD WRITING……..DIVERSE CHARACTERS……..INTERESTIG STORY LINES…….ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS ON TV…….WE WATCH FAITHFULLY…AND LOOK FORWARD TO IT . WHY DOES THIS GREAT SERIES GET CANCELLED WHEN SO MUCH OTHER STUFF NOT WORTH WATCHING CONTINUES….PLEASE CONSIDER THOSE OF US THAT LOVE THIS SHOW
Come on! You’ve got a smart, funny group of actors dealing with timely topics and you want to cancel it?! One reason I heard was that the show appealed to the older demographic. Guess what! The Boomers have already started coming through the Social Security/Medicare lines. There are LOTS of us and we like this show. DO NOT CANCEL HARRY’S LAW!!
I hope you will reconsider cancellation of Harry’s Law. I enjoyed it so much and planned my schedule to be able to sit down and watch. The characters were so real and added much to my evening.
David Kelley should be REWARDED for his INTELLIGENT Show :
HARRY’S LAW.
PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL.
Harry’s Law would be a hit if you would put it up against some dumb reality TV show. I watched it when it first came on and then you moved it against something I was already watching. Same thing with the Good Wife. It was in a great time slot on Tuesday at 10:oo and then it was moved opposite Desparate Housewives.
I hope you keep on Harry’s Law and put it in a good time slot as it is contains drama, comedy and poignancy!
I loved Boston Legal and warmed to Harry’s Law. David Kelley is quirky and original. Hard to be that these days. Ultimately Boston Legal’s strongest suit was the unlikely friendship between Alan Shore and Denny Crane and the balcony scenes, some of them, were some of the best scenes in the show’s run. Kathy Bates and cast were very good. Not BL. But good and the show was finding its footing. It had a pretty good audience but it skewed older and I think wiser in terms of that audience appeal. I am older too. One of the few shows… Read more »
One of the few quality shows on TV. Pleas keep it on!
Jan
Give me a break, you have an intellegent show with actors that can actually act and you are going to cancell it. I guess the no brain, no clothes, no acting shows are the wave of the future. What a shame. Maybe the networks should take notice with the History Channel and Kevin Costners production of the Hatfields and McCoys. We aren’t all bumps on the couch looking for skin, shows with shock and awe. Please reconsider
Why is it that every time they have a great show that is actually worth watching the DUMBBELLS cancel it?!!!!! They claim the older audiance isn’t large enough and dosen’t watch their programming. Well, if they stopped canceling good shows like Harry’s Law etc. and replacing them with crap geard towards tweens & younger socalled adults, they just might be able to build and maintain an actual adult audiance base! <):o/ Stupid programming people!!! Grrrrrrr!!!!!
Harry’s Law is one of the last GOOd shows left….who is doing the polls on this? They have excellent actors and a wonderful writer. Please bring the program back next fall
I don’t know where they are polling but everyone I know likes it and is dissappointed that it is being cancelled. I faithfully watch it with my 17 yr old grand daughter, her 41 yr old father watched it too. How about that age spread? Some say the demographic of “older adult” doesn’t matter. Hey, baby boomers have the money to buy the products in the commercials. Think about that. Don’t cancel Harry’s Law just to put on another half dressed super hero. I won’t be watching that.
i love kathy bates and the intire staff on there. its a great show. do not cancel it
Please don’t cancel Harry’s Law
I love Harry’s Law. All of the characters are “real people”. So tired of “reality TV”it’s good to see some good actors for a change.
PLEASE DO NOT cancel Harry’s Law– it is one of four shows that we routinely watch. It is unique and well done and such a welcome relief from the “Reality TV” rave.
Thanks.