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.
Harry’s Law is the BEST show on NBC!!! If they don’t renew it, NBC might as well close shop. It’s bad enough they got rid of “Law and Order” ( Law & Order LA stinks), now they want to cancel “Harry’s Law”– not to smart at NBC!!!
This is an outstanding series! I am amazed that shows like this don’t have high ratings! It simply must mean that the majority of TV watchers are really not very smart! PLEASE RENEW THIS OUTSTANDING SERIES!!! Thanks, Pat Outlaw
I loved Harry’s Law! The characters are quirky and it’s beautifully written and the actors are great.
Ms. Bates is the star, but she has a fantastic ensemble who make that program work.
It’s time to bring back the better shows like Harry’s law and get rid of the reality and stupid shows that are turning the American people’s brains into mush.
My husband and I really like the show. Kathy Bates is great and so are all the characters. It was really easy to connect with everyone and it’s a mark of a good show that you care what happens to the characters. Some of the writing is corny but the actors are interesting and the feeling of the show is comfortable and inviting. I hope it comes back.
This is the only prime time show I have watched on NBC in years. It should be renewed.
It was put up against Castle and Hawaii Five-O at 10 on Mondays, and then the most recent episodes of the Closer added to the mix on TNT. That is a lot to ask of a new series. Have you counted the people who have watched it on Saturday’s at 8? I hope NBC does renew the show. I know I won’t be watching Wonder Women. Duh
why is it that everythime a show I really like comes on the n networks kill it!!! Please renew Harry’s Law. The cast is superb, the writing is excellent. I absolutely hate inane humorless shows like The Office. Couldn’t believe you cancelled “My Name is Earl” either. I guess having a show with a positive message is out of your league somehow. Please remember how many things there are in the economy and politics to depress the public. Give us back the show.
Keep it. Bates acts by facial expressions and it tells her story. Replace it with what??
This is my favorite show pleaser bring it back for another season.
Keep it on!
This is my favorite show on TV Please bring it back.
My husband and I love it. Please NBC don’t gavel
cancel this. I normally watch CBS shows. I didn’t like you
taking off Law and Order.
I like all the characters in Harry’s Law, but its been going downhill since the second episode. The show seems to be trying to please every possible audience, young, old, married, single, urban, suburban, whatever. Is it a comedy or not? Some pretty serious stuff in some episodes. I think it started out to be about a legal office in a weird location (shoe store), but now half the show is about the personal problems of the people who work there. Thank goodness for the fast fwd on my PVR! Replace 90% of the office love life with interesting or… Read more »
LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!! KEEP IT ON THE AIR!!!!
I love this show and think it would be a shame to lose a show with integrity, humor and wonderful actors!
Please keep this show!!!