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.
Recommended Harry’s Law to several people who really enjoyed it and then it was cancelled. It is refreshing to watch such shows as this and not the low-class reality shows. Please bring Harry’s Law back as David Kelley always manages to give us a message. He is a great writer.
Why do you people always cancel the good shows. The cast and story lines where great. Who wants to watch a remake of Wonder Women I don’t
One of the best shows on TV. Do not let this happen!!
This is one of the best legal shows I have ever seen! I did not watch it in prime time, but did tivo it for the whole season and am watching the episodes now. This is such a GREAT show, won’t you PLEASE re-consider keeping it going? There are SO FEW entertaining shows on the air right now. I will really miss this series if it is cancelled! The ENTIRE CAST are SO tallented
The Baby Boomer generation is a huge, huge force! I would love to understand why Harry’s Law was canceled! Let us band together, BB! Get Harry back on………..SOMEWHERE!!
really like the show. time of evening you show it maybe the cause of viewers.
please rethink your choice to cancel Harry’s Law.
My favorite show. The second season changes were perfect. Love the whole cast. Would be sad to see it go. Kathy Bates is perfect for the part. Love Oliver especially after his short series went off the air
Please, please, please renew Harry’s Law!!! It is one of the best shows on tv, bar none. the show is well written and definitely superb acting– Kathy Bates is truly one of the Greats! There should be a lot less reality shows and more drama series.The entire cast of Harry’s Law make this show a success!
It was one of THE BEST shows on network TV. I suspect the only reason it’s being cancelled is that it’s a little TOO left for advertisers, especially in an election year. NBC, no guts.
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!! It absolutely should be renewed. Get rid of some of that other garbage that’s called “entertainment” and leave this show alone!
I Agree with you, Lindsey!
Hate that it is gone. It was at once funny, important, poignant and so much more. Well written, beautifully performed and just downright entertaining. There is so much junk on and they put more crappy reality t.v. on and take the good ones off because pathetic ignorant young adults seem to want to watch idiocy.
I Agree with you, Sandy!
I hope this show stays around , another network should pick it up . NBC is making so many mistakes it’s time to cancel NBC.
I agree with you, Dianna!
Harry’s Law was a favorite among our friends. We had many great discussions about the cases because most of them were relevant to everyday life. Sometimes we disagreed about how these issues should be handled in our society, but the discussions gave us all food for thought. Kathy Bates was a strong and believable attorney, fighting for individual rights whether you agreed or not. The outcome was strong and realistic in that not everything ended up being looked at through rose colored glasses. We cannot believe that this show may not be renewed. Add one more reality show, or goth… Read more »
P.S. – I never saw all of those segments here from the Orlando NBC affiliate, ’cause they kept changing the time and day of the week. I would have watched every one of them once I saw that first episode. I like her moxie and the fact she’s more talk than humanitarian in the long run. It was on Sunday, Tuesday, and some other days of the week, and the time slot changed too. It didn’t have a chance if you were expecting people to know when and where to find it w/o letting every one know every time it… Read more »
“Harry’s Law” is one of my most favorite… and I won’t be watching “Wonder Woman” whether or no, it’s not my style. Mostly a kids program and I’m quite a few past that. We’re lacking in sit-com shows, more like “Friends” & “Cheers” and others who’ve had long time runs. No matter how you look at the newer ones they just don’t measure up. Re-writing “Hawaii 50” where they have the “Book em”, done before the interrogation? Go figure, and now we’re going to have a “Sherlock Holmes” style with an Asian woman playing the part of Dr Watson and… Read more »