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.
Love Harry’s Law – hope it’s not cancelled for yet another ‘reality’ show!
We both loved this show and certainly look forward to it coming back! Kathy Bates was great, as were the rest of the cast. The episodes were a good portrait of the problems of the poor getting a fair trial compared to the rich who can afford great lawyers. It was great to cheer the cast on as they faced tough problems. Please bring it back..
My wife and I faithfully watched Harry’s Law every week. It is one of only a handful of good television shows that we look forward to. The writers do a fantastic job each and every week. Kathy Bates and the rest of the cast are also terrific. And the storylines are parovocative, edgy, thought provoking and thoroughly entertaining. What more could you ask for?
Bring it back! Tuned in this weekend, could not find it, very disappoined. Really like the show.
We LOVE Harry’s Law. Please do not cancel it. We enjoy all the characters and the plots. The show has a lot of comedy, plus a lot of food for thought. The characters seem like real people, and you actually learn something about the legal process. Kathy Bates is great, and the other characters are, too. At first we couldn’t stand Tommy Jefferson, but he has turned out to be a decent person in spite of his ego! When we saw we were watching the season finale, we were so disappointed. Please, please bring it back next fall or before.
We watched every episode and thoroughly enjoyed it. Besides being big Kathy Bates fans we were very impressed with the scripts and story line. Very well developed characters.
BRING IT BACK!
I’m tired of stupid sitcoms and reality shows. Please leave Harry’s Law on so that I can watch something that makes sense. Has NBC forgotten the mature folks out there in TV land? All the good shows are being canceled for; ‘don’t have to think shows’. Don’t use your brain just look.
We LOVE this show, please keep it on the air.
I was surprised – and disappointed – to not find “Harry’s Law” as an optional topic above. I have watched, eagerly, each episode this premier season and the characters have grown and developed in a truly impressive way. I even like Tommy Jefferson, who first came off as a knock off of “Denny Crane” of Boston Legal. Tommy has grown, as have all the other misfit characters. They are all people I can really care about – and root for. I hope that they will all return next season – especially because several cases (the albinos and the latest death… Read more »
Please don’t cancel Harry’s Law….we looked forward to watching every week! Consider moving it to 9 PM for more viewers.
Please renew Harry’s Law. The best show on tv since Saving Grace.
I looked forward to Harry’s Law and was disappointed when it did not air last Monday. Please bring it back. 🙁
Teri
OMG, NO!!! This is the BEST show NBC has aired in almost a decade!!! The characters and plot are absolutely phenomenal amd my fiance’ and I are thoroughly intrigued by ever show we watch! The problem isn’t the show, it’s the supporting cast! Much like sports, you can have one of the best players in the league, but if you don’t have a team to support him or her, then you won;t go very far!!! Kepp Harry’s Law on and find some other shows to support it!!! BTW- even if you have a good line-up one night, if the rest… Read more »
I just want to clarify, when I say “supporting cast”, I don’t mean the actors, I mean the other TV Shows the are in their line-up.
Don’t cancel Harry’s Law…I really looked forward to watching it.
Love this show and didn’t know the last I watched was the finale. Hope the network does not cancel it . Like other reviewers, I am not into all the fake reality series, and this is one of the few programs I watch faithfully.