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 like the way the show realistically approach our court system problems of the day – politically and personally. Please do not cancel this series!
PLEASE don’t cancel. I love, love, love this show! Maybe have different high profile actors guest as lawyers on the show. May attract new viewers. Get some viewers to watch the show that only watched the first or second show. Improved with every episode. Thanks.
We love this show. We plan our “busy” schedule around being able to watch it, and when we can’t, we DVR it. It is a wonderful show and has so many messages that have gotten lost in this world as it is today. Please bring it back, so many of us are starved for “GOOD” television and this is definitely one of the best!!
This is the only show worth watching on TV, the first in a long time.
Don’t cancel Harry’s Law!
Keep it! It’s very entertaining. I like Kathy Bates.
Love it!!! Renew it!!!
Please bring Harry’s Law back. It was refreshing for a change. I am sick of all that pap the networks fotce on everyone. The showsd are aimed at a 5th grade IQ. Stop insulting the American public.
please do not cancel Harry’s Law. this show is the best. i laugh, i cry, i am passiontate about the different cases. Best law show on tv! David has done it again. Just give it a chance.
This is one of the best shows on tv! I love that the show actually bring out issues we are dealing with today. This is a feel good show. Don’t change anything, just give it more publicity. We are really sick of reality shows and cartoon characters!
I love the show, it’s smart and witty, and Harry always has a clever and compassionate way to get her point across. I just wish the networks would give these shows a decent chance to develop the characters and let the public get to know them before their yanked off the air.
We love the show and so does our daughter and son-in-law. And if you do bring it back don’t throw a lot of sex in it hoping to attract more viewers. You’ll lose us.
Please do NOT cancel this show—It has so many good messages that our declining society morals needs to see and be aware of — Kathy Bates is an awesome actor.
This is an awesome show with so many good messages for our declining moral society. Please do NOT cancel it! The cast is great – especially Cathy Bates!
I Love Kathy Bates!! She’s doing a wonderful job!! The script could use some help. Her family of actors are also doing a wonderful job. I say, bring it back for another season!
Love the show, Please don’t cancel it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are too few quality shows on Tv today. This is one of them and it should be renewed. It sends a great message that you shouldn’t judge people on your first encounter. People are multi-faceted and we are too eager to judge without all the information. This show does a great service.