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.
WENT LOOKING FOR HARRY’S LAW FATE WHEN IT WAS NOT ON LAST NITE. IT WAS THE ONLY SHOW I WATCHED EVERY WEEK. ALL THE ABO VE COMMENTS ARE RIGHT ON. BRING IT BACK NBC.
I love Harry’s Law. She shows the true feelings of a lot of women her age in the workplace. Work is not always pretty or glamerous and this show reflects that. Keep the show.
Please don’t cancel it! It’s a good show! Every time I find a decent tv drama it gets canceled and some ridiculous reality show takes its place.
Harry’s Law is the most insightful and delightful show to come along in a long time. We couldn’t believe such substance came on NBC. We kept thinking it was on a premium channel. If NBC drops this fine show, they will deserve the following they get. Get a clue and give us something really WORTH watching!
I truly beleive that KATHY BATES IS AND WILL ALWAYS DOMINATE THE ROLES SHE PLAYS. GREAT ACTRESS WITH SOME NEW FACES. I ENJOYED THE SHOW AND HOPE THEY BRING IT BACK. THESE DAYS TV CONSISTS OF TOO MUCH REALITY SHOWS AND ITS TIME FOR US THE AUDIENCE TO MAKE WISE DECISIONS AND ALLOW THE WRITERS TO ENTICE US EVERY WEEK WITH NEW EPISODES….COME ON NBC WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR….
I love Harry’s Law. It is smart, funny and interesting. Issues are dealt with in challenging and compelling ways – important issues that need to be brought to the public eye. I feel disappointed that the show is no longer on.
Excellent writing; compelling ethical dilemmas; quirky, memorable and well-developed characters; the most-watched show on NBC… why in the world would you NOT renew this wonderful series? This show makes you think, and creates great opportunities for meaningful conversation and thoughtful introspection. Please, please, please bring it back!
Harry’s Law is one the best shows on tv currently. If you must dump a tv show, dump those reality shows! Kathy Bates and her crew are outstanding!
I love harry’s Law. Make it easier to find and put it on at 9:00pm. Don’t cancel it, it’s great.
Wonder Woman? Really?! Really?!! You have got to be kidding! Harry’s Law is by far th best show NBC has out out in a while. In fact it is the only show I watch on NBC. I myself told five friends and a family member about the show and they all were crazy about it. I wonder if the amount of viewers are including people who have to record it due to schedules…I know we all do. Maybe a new time slot. Don’t cancel!
Harrys’ Law is the only show I watch regularly. The wonderful acting and original plots keep me captivated.
Please, please don’t cancel it.
My husband &I could not believe Harry wasn’t on tonight
It is the best show on TV today! We have taped every episode
so we can watch them again. Kathy Bates is the best as is the
whole cast. PLEASE bring it back! Maybe if it were on a little
earlier more people could watch it.
My husband and I love Harry’s Law. Kathy Bates is perfect in her role and her cast is great too! It is funny and heart-warming. Don’t cancel it. We look forward to Monday nights now because of this show.
It figures that when a Great Show comes on a network and going to go up against some big boob, dinky costume (what were “wonder womens rating – in the olden days) remember batman? superman? well when a really great show comes along and gets people really interested in law, courtroom closings, and enjoy laughing at Harry’ s antics they decide to cancel. Why not put Looney Tunes on?
I truly believe that time slots are crucial in a shows survival and inevitability! What I mean is that some really fantastic shows, for example “Harry’s Law,” are bumped to time slots that, in my mind, are ridiculous like 9:00PM Hawai’i standard time. That is the time when people are normally putting their children to bed or adults need to rest up for the next days activities and therefore are not going to be interested in watching a television drama at that particular time slot. I also recommend that the network switch time slots with earlier prime series that, again… Read more »
I like the show Harry’s Law very much….don’t cancel it