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.
The show started weak and ended srong. Work on getting those early viewers back. As my husband said, Bates has grown into the part. It’s really Boston Legal all over again with Tommy as Denny and Harry as Alan.
I look forward to watching Harry’s Law every week. I love Kathy Bates. I’m getting a little tired of getting hooked on a show only to find out it has been canceled. Get rid of all the reality shows and bring back Harry’s Law next season. Who can forget,”peep toe, sling back, do me like a dog pump.” Now that’s what I’m talking about. NBC, pay attention. Bring back Harry’s Law next season. Don’t cram one more cop show down our throats.
Don and Karen in Sioux City vote for a renewal in ” Harry’s Law.”
This is a great legal drama that tells about the law of the land as it
is in this nation. The acting is outstanding. Memo to NBC executives: Give this series another chance to succeed. The late William Paley, CBS founder wanted to pull the
plug on a new series called ” Mash” because of poor ratings. But, Mrs Paley
intervened and urged hin to keep it on. As they say…all the rest is history!!
Please, please, we love Harry. The best show I’ve watched in a long time. All my friends have joined in to watch. Bring back Harry-we LOVE her!!!!
I have watched every show and looked forward to each one. This series had a great supportive cast and interesting story lines. I love the humor and looks Kathy Bates offers. Could Tommy Jefferson really be my other favorite character?
I love Harrys Law, it is very inspiring. I will be very upset if it is cancelled.
TWO VOTES FOR HARRY’S LAW FROM DON & KAREN IN SIOUX CITY.
IT IS A GREAT LEGAL DRAMA THAT IS SUPERB IN TELLING THE LAW IN THIS
LAND AS IT REALLY IS. KATHY BATES AND CREW DO AN OUTSTANDING ACTING JOB IN EACH WEEKLY EPISODE. MEMO TO NBC EXECUTIVES IN CHARGE OF PROGRAMMING: GIVE HARRY’S LAW A GOOD CHANCE TO SUCCEED. CBS FOUNDER WILLIAM PALEY WANTED TO PULL THE PLUG ON A POOR SERIES CALLED “MASH” AFTER ONLY 13 WEEKS. BUT, MRS PALEY INTERVENED AND AS THEY SAY…THE REST IS HISTORY!!!!
What a great show that presents fantastic points of view on a wide variety of current issues. I look forward to Monday nights because of Harry’s Law. It makes me laugh and tear up in the same episode because the actors really make you feel involved with the cases they present. PLEASE renew this excellent show next year. Thirteen episodes are not nearly enough!
Please bring it back…love it
ABSOLUTELY…….DO NOT CANCEL this wonderful show. Harry’s Law is not only a breath of fresh air but a humanitarian version of what being a law enforcement officer should be…..CARING. Harry and her team are all of that and more. All the emotions that make for good viewing are in this show. AND another thing…………it’s about time that we, the 50+ viewers, got a chance to watch something GOOD and not just the regular cookie cutter shows that all seem to be the same cops and robbers that you can predict an ending for before even seeing it. SHAME on those… Read more »
Don’t leave Harry’s Law off the air. Everytime we find something we really like that is not so violent, sexual, and stupid, it gets aired off. It’s a great show and in reality it is really telling truth about the law…I don’t want it to go…Keep it on.
Please keep Harry’s law. I look forward to watching this every week. I would not watch Wonder Woman.
Although Canadian viewers mean diddlysquat to the PNGs at the networks, I find Harry’s Law to be well-acted and well-written (hey, it’s Kelley; the man’s a god) and ANYTHING that brings Christopher McDonald to TV, let alone Kathy Bates, is worth saving.
Does this mean that people aren’t watching NBC comedies? Parks & Rec is fast becoming one of my favourites, as is the Office after a resurgence this year, and the new (cancelled?!?!) Perfect Couples is also extremely witty and clever, making it fun to watch.
One thing at a time. Bring back Harry’s Law!
We LOVE this show…all the quirky characters with Kathy Bates at the center…it’s one of two shows that we look forward to watching all week. And it easily replaced “Castle” which was our only Monday night show prior to Harry’s Law. PLEASE keep this show…there’s nothing else entertaining anymore…and those of us over 60 do watch TV (if it’s good!).
very clever, cute show, with some solid social messages, good stuff, so it should be continued next season, but since tv celebrates crap, I fear it won’t last