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 renew Harry’s Law for the falls season. I haven’t seen this kind of law humor since Columbo from long ago. Kathy Bates is great as are all the other case members. Ratings aren’t everything, although the show seems to be holding its on. It is the highlight of our Monday night. Hope you listen to all the good comments and keep the show on the air in your fall lineup.
Renew! Only new show this year worth following. It certainly deserves more attention.
Harry’s Law is a fantastic show! The whole cast is perfect and the show is a breath of fresh air on stale, dull, mind numbing network TV. We’re so tired of the numerous CSI shows, reality tv shows are cheap and pitiful. This is a class show and very unique, along with Parenthood. NBC is on the right track with these two shows and they need to give Harry’s Law a chance. Quit cancelling shows before they even develop an audience. Some of the best shows in the history of TV started out with not so great ratings and ended… Read more »
Please renew Harry’s Law. It is well-written, has strong, memorable characters and, given the opportunity, will become an audience favorite. Like other David E. Kelly projects, it is funny, poignant, and smart. With Kathy Bates as the lead actor, advertisers should love it. It is the flipside of Boston Legal … and just plain wonderful.
I love this show and look forward to it each week. Please don’t cancel this show. There are so few great shows. The cast on this show is great. Another thing when you do get a good show it only shows for a little then goes on a break, for example: The Closer and many other shows do this – I just can’t remember the names (Glenn Close stars in one of them). Please keep Harry’s Law. Great show!
Please keep Harry’s Law. Love the show and love Kathy Bates and all cast members. It is a serious law drama with a sense of humor. Haven’t seen this kind of show since Columbo from long ago. Give it at least one more season to let the show tie up loose ends. Ratings don’t tell it all. Sometimes you just need to keep a show because you have a “gut” feeling it is good. From all the comments I have read, I’m not the only one who loves the show. The highlight of our Monday night!!!
great show! renew,renew!!!!
Harry’s Law is a show that works the same as Boston Legal. I would love to see this show renewed for this summer or this fall. Because it is a David E. Kelly show, I would love to see it go and bring in William Shatner in a guest role as…wait for it…Denny Crane…and David Spader as well. Make it a 2 hour special, working with Harry and Tommy Jefferson, oh yes, that would be a show to see. It is likely contract requirements and getting ABC to sign off on it since that was home to Boston Legal will… Read more »
Hope this show is renewed! It’s on my DVR to record each new one so I don’t miss any episodes. Superior TV in so many ways — Kathy Bates is an exceptional actress and the writing is sooo much better than on the average show — very thought provoking in the court scenes, great humor throughout, interplay between actors terrific. Would be nice if a network threw at least this one bone to viewers who appreciate some intelligence in the shows they watch.
Harry’s Law is a great show, the cast is excellent and Kathy Bates is outstanding in her role. She is such a gifted and Accomplished Actress. Harry’s Law is refreshing, it allows the characters to be real. This drama is different from any other law show currently on It tackles tough issues with humor and compassion. The age interaction is a plus and brings out the best of all the characters. We love the show. It would be a mistake to cancel. Harry’s Law is very entertaining.
LOVE Harry’s Law, Kathy Bates and the entire cast……my friends do too. It tackles controversial issues and the inequities in our society, just as Boston Legal did. I love the interaction of all the characters and how their lives are evolving and connected….like real life…not just one storyline. Please keep this show on…it is my favorite and will only get better as time goes on. The season finale was great!!
We absolutely love the show! All the characters are great. Definitely should be renewed.
This show just has to be renewed!! I have looked forward to viewing the show from week to week. I love the mixture of seriousness and comedy. Kathy Bates is absolutely wonderful in her part!
This show is one of the finest shows to come along in ages. There is so few good programs on television, which I might add are spoiled due to the high number of commercials, it would be a shame to not renew “Harry’s Law”. If CBS, NBC and ABC want to do something constructive to improve the viewers pleasure, cut down on the commercials.
Harry’s Law is the best written show on TV right now. I am not only married to a lawyer, but have a lawyer for a son, a father, a father-in-law, and a brother-in-law. I worked in a law office as early as a teenager & into my adult life. Although the romantic drama part of the show seems construed, it is a typical occurence. KEEP THIS SHOW!!! You actually have a following amongst lawyers, which says a whole lot more for other said shows. Kathy Bates is amazing.