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 hope this show survives, tho’ I hold out little hope. It is entirely too intelligent and character/plot driven to be appreciated by the yahoo’s who watch the caca on the networks. That seems to be the determining factor. It is way too good, especially with someone of Kathy Bates’ quality, to be renewed. I will faint dead away if they choose a show with thoughtful dialog, interesting observations about life and information about the workings of the legal system. Yes, I would watch Bates reading the proverbial phone book. Imagine how much I enjoy a good show built around… Read more »
Good Grief! This is a great show, and Kathy Bates has nailed to perfection her role. No one could do her role any better! The show has not had time enough to even begin to develop the characters, well except, Kathy, she came developed and loaded for bear! Please don’t cancel this show, many of us are tired of the whole reality thing, we change the channel, or turn off the tube. Look, This show is the most watched on NBC, I mean…hello! Another season for “Harry’s Law” hands down! One of the first shows in a long time that… Read more »
Maybe if we hadn’t seen any other David E. Kelley productions this show wouldn’t seem so lame. At his best, (Boston Legal), Kelley creates a true ensemble piece with no weak links. Biggest problem here? Brittany Snow and Nate Corddry are utterly limp in key support roles. I find both characters flat-out annoying. True, there is great character work being done elsewhere in the cast: Christopher McDonald, Paul McCrane, even Amy Aquino in tiny spots as Judge Coulis…but haven’t we seen all this before? Face it, compared to the snap and fizz of Boston Legal and the authentic originality of… Read more »
Keep it on!!!
I certainly hope that they bring back Harry’s Law. It is an excellent program. If memory serves me correctly (I don’t have the tv schedule handy), but Harry’s Law is on Monday night, 10:00pm which is the same time Hawaii 5-0 and Castle are on. Very tough competition. Possibly a time change would help.
Love this show!!! Kathy Bates is terrific- and the cast is fresh and endearing. I look forward to the show every week- love the human side , issues, and characters!! Please don’t cancel it- and please don’t add any more reality shows…. they give me the opportunity to watch all the USA, TNT, TBA, repeats. Please keep Harry’s Law!!
I was a die-hard fan of Ally McBeal; and like Harry’s Law even better!! It is fresh and original and campy and fun. I was worried about the show, because the finale seemed to tie everything up just a bit too nicely. If it comes back, she can’t keep winning wildly improbable cases on emotion alone. She has to start winning some battles by presenting a solid case, and taking a few bloody noses along the way. I don’t like the Jenna/Malcolm pairing on any level. Ewww! But, office romances do happen, so there is some life truth in having… Read more »
Keep Harry’s law on, please…it is a refreshing show that deals with individuals as well as law. It is a decent program, not full of blood and guts for a change. Great cast, love Kathy…please, please, renew…
We LOVE LOVE LOVE Harry’s Law and dont miss it…Keep it going
Harry’s Law is mind boggling and one of the best shows on the air. Bates delivery is great and must not be overlooked. I’ve had it with reality show and turn the TV off when they are on. Please networks stop wasting my time! It’s time to give the public something to think about! Keep Harry’s law alive!
Am so tired of the Reality Shows taking up Network space along with all the new cop shows. Harry’s Law provides a refreshing change to all of this as it stirs all of the emotions. Kathy Bates is brilliant as usual; the show would be nothing without her. I watch the reruns Saturday night as its original time slot is too late…..maybe it would get more viewers if it was on earlier as there is nothing else on Monday nights! SAVE THIS SHOW!
I’m a big fan of this show. It manages to be funny, outrageous, compelling, and sarcastic all at once.
Bates is perfection, surrounded by many close seconds. Tommy is a hoot, and it feels like they’re just getting started.
It would be a shame not to see where they go from here.
Please don’t cancel Harry’s Law. The intro music, the writing, Kathy Bates and everyone’s interaction with each other is refreshing and new every episode. And it makes you love Kathy Bates. The story lines are thoughtful, humorous, yet reach the emotion. One of the best shows worth watching.
I’ll say it again, Please don’t cancel Harry’s Law. The intro music, the writing, Kathy Bates and everyone’s interaction with each other is refreshing and new every episode. It makes you love Kathy Bates. What a terrific actress. The story lines are thoughtful, humorous and reach the emotion. One of the best shows worth watching ever put on TV.
I love Kathy Bates in anything and have really enjoyed this show. Please do not get it lost in the shuffle to another cop show or reality show.
I will be greatly disappointed if they do not bring Harry’s Law back. It was such a great show that was dramatic with lots of humor. We need humor. Lots of it. Forget Wonder Women. I would never watch that! Kathy Bates is the BEST! The sponsors would be crazy not to renew. I can’t wait for it to return. I would even watch re-runs. Put the series on DVD and I would buy it.
Thanks and looking forward to seeing Harry’s Law.
SaliAn
I absolutely adore this show. It’s a different twist on your usual lawyer show and Kathy Bates deserves an Emmy for her performance. So glad to see Paul McCrane back, too!
The preachiness was a little much to take at first, but that was toned down. NBC doesn’t deserve this show, their decision-making is suspect at best. A show that requires more than two brain cells to watch? Oh, the horror!
Let the show continue to develop Bates is brilliant and the other cast members are finding their way.