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.
Harrys law is great. Us older people spend a lot of money also.
Just spent an evening with a group of people and it seemed everyone was of the same mind…………Harrys Law has been one of the best shows in quite some time, so many people were so upset that it has been cancelled. I so agree with many of the others who have posted on here. If another REALITY show comes on TV, I am throwing my TV out. What age group are the networks playing to? Goodbye NBC……………I am zoning you out….
I was very disappointed to hear that Harry’s Law was being cancelled. I was told that her show didn’t appeal to a younger demographic. Perhaps we seniors should DROP
your network and it’s sponsors.
Reality TV may be the “in thing” these days, but thinking people like a show with a plot, and a great cast.
I along with many of my friends young and old love Harry’s Law. It is refreshing to have something to watch on TV that is very well written and not another reality show. I hope that NBC renews it or they have lost many NBC watchers.
I love Harry’s Law. PLEASE PLEASE don’t take it off the air. It is refreshing to have a show that is mature for the 50 and older crowd. I love Kathy Bates and the whole gang.
Love this refreshing show. Please keep in on the air. I tape it, too, cause there are so many great lines in it. It has character.
I love this intelligent show…don’t cancel it! The storylines are interesting and the acting is superb!
I am so tired of these networks putting on a good show for one or two seasons and then cancelling them. Harrys Law is one of the best weekly shows in a long time. Please continue to fight to bring it back.
Harry’s Law is fantastic. To have a talent like Kathy Bates on prime time television is a joy. The entire cast is wonderful. NBC, you are making a mistake by cancelling this show. Please reconsider.
You have made very poor decisions with this show. You changed the charcters and story line that were giving it such a fresh look at law dramas. Then you put it in the very worst time slot you could. Yes, it may only appeal to the older population, but do we (the older population) not have a right to some decent programing. Reality TV is simply not attractive to mature and intelligent people, it is an insult. I so hope you bring it back in it’s old format with Malcolm and Gina, they were an integrel part of the show… Read more »
Is there anything we can do to keep this show on? We love it! Maybe another network will pick it up.
Why do they give us good shows and replace them with JUNK!
Harry’s Law, CSI-Miami, and Alcatraz are just a few that I can’t understand being pulled. I know it’s about ratings, but come on, do they think they’ll get better ratings with the replacements?
Harry’s Law is by far “THE BEST SHOW” on TV! Truly sick of reality shows. This show is wonderfully written and the characters are great in their interactions with each other. Keep it on the air please so there is something for me to watch. What has happened to television anyway? Hand fishing, swamp people, the Kardashian’s (who cares?) , why have 19 kids anyway but that is their business, bachelors and bachelorettes etc. We don’t need that type of tv. Since MASH went off it is at least in syndication so we watch reruns for good entertainment. Keep Harry’s… Read more »
I can’t believe that Harry’s law will be cancelled!
By far one of the best shows on NBC. Most of my family and friends watch it.
We are so fed up with reality shows….why would NBC even consider getting rid of one of the few good programs on their network?? Kathy Bates and the cast are wonderful, the writing is creative, and the stories are clever. We are certainly very unhappy with this decision. NBC needs to reconsider!
I loved Harry’s Law, I saw it two weeks ago and now it’s off the air. What the heck happened? Of course Saturday and Sunday night weren’t exactly the best nights to show it for any primetime watching. Thursday night is a great night for it. The comment from Dr. Ileen Kelly hits it right on the head, all these mind numbing reality shows aren’t exactly entertainment. With what we pay for television these I think they could at least give us more decent programs. What happened to the good old antennas?
Harry’s Law is one of the finest written television programs i’ve seen in years. I watch it, tape it and replay during the week. The entire cast is brilliant and they play off of one another personalities well. I have to tape the show when watching it because it makes me laugh so aloud, that I have to replay what i missed. I have a circle of friends that watch it and we do a phone chain call to remind each other so never to miss it. Good writing, talent and art is taken off the air but millions of… Read more »