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.
We love Harry’s Law. It is a champion for mature professional women and men. It gives so much encouragement to them and the young professionals as well. Please find a way to give it another season, maybe in a better time spot. I am sure you will see viewing increase.
This is one of my favorite shows! I just wish it came on at 9:00 pm rather than 10:00 pm. I loved the humor, the nuances with current affairs/sociology/american life/economics! Please, put this back on! There is So little to watch that has Any substance or good humor as this show does. Tom
Please renew Harry’s Law next season and put it on Wednesday nights so it can get more people to watch it. Castle is on Mondays and The Good Wife is on Tuesday so I have to use the on demand on my cable tv to watch Harry’s Law. Nothing good is on TV on Wednesday so I watch the show then.
Looked forward to the show weekly. Really miss it.
absolutely renew this show! it’s brilliant, witty, quick moving and fresh. there is nothing like it on television – and i think we’re all tired of the typical legal “law and order” type shows. BRING HARRY BACK!!!
Yes by all means renew. Once a week is barely enough.
My Goodness why cancel a perfectly charming citcom maybe you could tweek it to have a little more humor but what a nice change this program is to the usual fair. Why is 2 1/2 men popular not because of the characters but humor. Think Think-
RENEW…..it is a great show….I haven’t missed an episode!!!! Viewers do not know what they are missing!
Renew – one of the few intelligent shows on TV
Every time we get a good one the rest of the garbage wins out.
Harry’s Law is the only new show that I really like. KEEP IT.
We loved Harry’s Law!!!!! Very clever show and it was just getting started! If it were on earlier I bet there’d be more viewers. Not everyone has Tevo or DVR’s to record their programs and when you need your sleep to get to work on time something’s gotta give. Yes, Yes PLEASE RENEW…………HARRY’S LAW………………..Thank you!
It seems every show that I like gets cancelled. Harry’s Law is one of the best shows on TV. I guess that since it doesn’t revolve around sex or shows a lot of dead bodies it might get cancelled. NBC, please bring it back. It is definitely better than most shows that are on now.
Yes, renew Harry’s Law! It was enjoyable…gritty at times and very funny at others. Another season is surely in the cards for this cast and crew. Good luck!!
Renew–one show worth watching and the cast is great!
Harry’s Law is absolutely perfect. The cast is unbeatable. So for what it’s worth please, please renew it. Our condo thinks it should start earlier.
I have been a fan since Harry’s Law previewed. Renew it. This is one of the few things that I look foreward to watching and DVR’ing.