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.
Please do not cancel this show. It is the only show I watch on regular network TV. I so look forward to it every week. Funny, pointed, clever, and even though you can usually count on a feel-good ending, I like the feel-good ending. I like feeling good. Duh. And if this can be achieved through interesting characters and clever writing, then let’s do it!! Keep this show! It’s different, and so worth it!
I hope Harry’s Law continues…it is one of the best….but, I liked Rubicon (AMC) a great deal as well and that got canceled! So, I hope I have better luck with this one!
Wonderful show – please bring it back!
Keep Harry’s Law! It is our favorite show, but it is up against two others of our favorites that we record. Change the night and keep it! Harry’s Law is intelligent, great fun!
We LOVE Harry’s Law and fully support continuation of the intriguing series. I would image the “drop off” rate occurred the night that Harry’s niece kissed the assistant that Harry hired. It definitely DID NOT seem appropriate or even believable. The scenarios that were addressed each episode were truly alluring, with good morale issues that we watch with dedication and support. We like this much better than the “wimpy” Hawaii 5-O series. PLEASE clean-up the unnecessary “love” issues and this series will be back with full support. Kathy Bates is exhilarating, believable and a “best choice” for this program. Thanks,… Read more »
I love Harry’s Law and am very disappointed that it has been cancelled. It is sooo funny. I love all of the cast and of course, Kathy Bates. I don’t think you gave it much of a chance.
Hope it comes back on.
This actually is one of my absolute favorite shows on TV. While I love Kathy Bates, the story lines are always interesting and intertwined with real people and situations.
We love Harrys Law please dont take it off .there is not much on tv that the whole family can watch .we watch it every sunday on demand
Harry’s Law was only one of two shows I watched faithfully on TV. I do hope the show is renewed! Kathy Bates was wonderful in her role as were the other members of the cast.
My husband and I love this show and jope it returns. These days it’s very hard for my husband to watch regular tv, he doesn’t care for all the reality or cop/csi type shows.
This series has real issues and gives it a humerous angle with a hoped for ending.
it would be a loss for it to be canceled.
YES !!!! KEEP HARRY’S LAW. JUST MOVE IT ANOTHER NIGHT WHERE THERE ISN’T ELSE ON LIKE WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY NIGHTS
Please bring Harry’s Law back. There are so many shows out there that have SEX in them and its hard to find something you can watch with another couple and not feel sick.
I really love this show. Kathy Bates is great.We love the whole cast. Please keep this show going.
harry’s law is the best. I dont miss any episode and i catch myself watching it twice. I hope this show gets renewed again same time or through out the weekend greatly executed and written.
We have found Harry’s Law our favorite series to watch. If not at home, we tape it. Kathy Bates is great in it and she has a wonderful cast, each member with their own story. Unlike other shows, we feel connected to every cast member. It is rare to find a show in this world of reality shows that has a “feel good” ending every episode. It would be sad to see it cancelled. Give it a chance and if necessary, move it to a night when competition from CBS and ABC are weaker. KEEP Harry’s Law!!!!