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.
I never have enjoyed a series so much as I have with Harry’s Law. Please don’t cancel.
There are so few programs that are not “blood and guts” and rough language. I like the subtle humor. To me the characters seem like real people! Like someone I’d like to know in person. It would be a shame to let this program go by the wayside.
Love Harry’s Law, can’t wait each week for the next episode! Kathy Bates deserves to be given a second season, she is great!!
LOVE Harry’s Law. It goes so fast because it’s that funny. I am tired of reality shows of vilence,etc…, Kathy Bates can deliver a line an the rest of the cast are gems! Please don’t cancel!
please please please renew Harry’s Law we love the show…finially a decent show
we can watch IT IS A MUST TO WATCH AND RENEW
Harry’s Law is one of the few fine television programs and should definately be renewed. The program has good drama, humor and takes a different look at the Law and how it gets used in the court room setting. If CBS,NBC and ABC want to improve the viewers pleasure, do something about reducing the number of commercials that spoil a good program, and renew Harry’s Law…
Please keep HARRY’S LAW! It treats its audience as the human beings we are – with functioning brain cells and the compassion we have been teaching our children to have and use for their fellow human beings. A refreshing change of pace from the drivel being produced today.
Love it – keep it!!!
Keep “Harry’s Law”. Best law drama since Boston Legal on ABC!
WE HOPE THAT THE NBC EXECUTIVES WILL PONDER THE FATE OF “HARRY’S LAW” VERY CAREFULLY. WHILE THE RATINGS HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT DISMAL THE LAST FEW EPISODES ….WE WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THE POWERS THAT BE THAT WILLIAM PALEY, FOUNDER OF CBS, WANTED TO JERK ” MASH” OFF THE AIR AFTER A FEW WEEKS …BUT MRS PALEY INTERVENED AND SAID TO WILLIAM ….:”GIVE IT A CHANCE.” ALL THE REST IS HISTORY. ENOUGH !!
Hello everyone I love the show its really bad that the nbc would cancel such a great show.I love everything about harrys law this is the first sitcom where I’ve seen interracial relationship on tv.and I thought it was great.please bring my show back….find me on facebook deshaun crawford
My husband and I, very active sixty year olds, can’t wait to view Harry’s Law ever week. It is a well written, real, and compassionate show where human characters involving themselves in real situations minus all the bloodshed and disturbing content of Law and Order. At least we can sleep nights! At the beginning we felt that the cast was a little stiff, but not to far into the series we found their quirpiness and venerability very endearing. Kathy Bates is indeed the star, but does not over power the cast in any way. She is a team player who… Read more »
Love this show and all the characters – NBC should give it a chance – it came on later in the season and needs to gain a following. Remember us over 50 folks are still working and have money to spend on advertised products. Start counting us in your demographics and leave on good shows for us to watch.
DON & KAREN TRULY ENJOY THIS OUTSTANDING LEGAL DRAMA AND WOULD
LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THIS PROGRAM TO STAY ON THE AIR!! KATHY BATES AND CREW ARE DOING A TERRIFIC JOB IN PRESENTING THE LAW IN THIS COUNTRY AS IT IS. TO THE NBC NETWORK EXECUTIVES IN CHARGE OF DECISION MAKING. REMEMBER THIS: BILL PALEY AT CBS WAS READY TO PULL THE PLUG ON MASH AFTER A THIRTEEN WEEK CYCLE…BUT MRS PALEY INTERVENED AND ALL REST IS HISTORY!!!
We enjoy watching Harry and the interesting characters she interacts with each week.
Great writing, interesting characters, and good interaction between characters… what isn’t there to like? We hope NBC will be wise and renew the show for next season. We are tired of “real” tv, and would like some enjoyable fiction for a change. It is fun to laugh, gasp, and even cry over some of the situations portrayed over the last couple of months.
How you even consider letting Harry’s law go…..Great writting and talented actors brought together to form a wonderful cast. I am a huge Kathie Bates fan she is a class act it would be a BIG loss if we let her talent slip through the cracks. I look forward to actually seeing a t.v. show that does’nt have to be in the reality relm……Please SAVE Harry’s Law!!!! Thank You