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
Kathy Bates is wonderful, the Kelley playbook is a really pushing the envelope from the get-go, but I vote KEEP IT. I’ve loved all of Kelley’s shows—I love the law anyway and David E. makes it fun and occasionally comes up with a courtroom closing I’d kill to hear in real life. Even when the absurdity makes you want to cringe, they touch on issues that are at the very least interesting. Moreover, it isn’t another reality show, and I’d vote for ANYTHING other than another one of them.
I loved this show. I can’t believe it is not still on. Everyone I talked to loved it. I missed it a couple of times and tried to catch it on Sat. night. With it being on at ten in the evening it was not always easy to tune into. If it comes back, it will be the most intellectual of the shows and heaven knows we need something more than the dumbed down trash that is on t.v. now.
My husband and I have looked forward to this show each week. I can not believe that it might not be back next season. I think “Harry” is an awesome character. I don’t care too much for the crazy guy lawyer that has guest starred a couple shows. But overall it is a great show. I love how Harry is always helping the underdog.
Please, NBC, bring it back…my wife and I watch only two or three shows a week and Harry’s Law was one.
Harry’s Law is my favorite show! It’s fun, clean & more real than alot of shows on tv now. It appeals to all three of the tv viewers in our home. It would be a real disappointment to see it go.
Oh, PLEASE, don’t cancel the best show that’s been on in ages. Do your job, NBC, give it the best advertising you can! It has the veiwership…c’mon NBC, sell this show!
I enjoy this show, and I hope it will be renewed
Keep it we both love it!
We love Harry’s Law and hope it will be renewed. We need more shows that are funny, address issues of the day and make people think.
This is the first decent show in a long time. Trully sick of all the realty trash on TV. This show needs to be renewed. Why do we want a remake of Wonder Woman?
Unlike much of the boring reality shoes and other garbage these days on television, Harry’s Law is extremely entertaining. DO NOT CANCEL THIS SHOW!!! Thanks
Finally, my husband and I agree on a show, which as not happened since Happy Days. Harry’s Law is the best new show on TV. We love it, hopefully it will be back so we can watch TV together.
My husband and I agree also, it is the best show on TV! Even my 25 year old son likes it!! Kathy Bates is so real in this, not a young Barbie doll type lawyer. All have great chemistry too.My fingers are crossed it comes back.
Love the show!!! Finally a decent show, and they want to cancel it. We have enough trash on tv. Let’s keep Harry’s Law!!!!
We truly love Harry’s Law and hope that NBC will renew it. The cast is great and we really look forward to the show each week. There are very few good shows on and we would hate for this one to go.