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, PLEASE RENEW FOR A SECOND SEASON!!!!! Great DIVERSE cast of characters!!!!
As a member of the baby boomer generation, we are usually not out Friday nights, but at home enjoying some of the best TV on the air: Harry’s Law. Maybe someone needs to rethink demographics.
My favorite television show, I love the entire cast. If this is not drawing in people in this time slot……MOVE IT to another one!
YES, PLEAASSSE, RENEW HARRY’S LAW!! IT MAKES ME LOOK FORWARD ON MONDAY NIGHTS AFTER WORKING ON 1ST DAY OF WORKWEEK…. THE SHOW IS HUMOROUS AND DEFINITELY ENTERTAINING..
You can’t expect more viewers because all the intelligent people are already watching it.
I enjoy this show it reminds me a lot of Boston Legal even some of the characters carry similar traits (if thats a good or bad thing I don’t know). but I’m really tired of the Adam and his ex story line and she’s an enabler because she keeps him in her life.Get over it to both of them.
Please do not cancel Harry’s Law. We love this show. I adore Kathy Bates and she is a high caliber actress. She is a treat! 🙂
Harry’s Law is a must stay show! It is about righting the wrongs of our justice system. And the #’s show that people love to watch it, which really should count for a lot more then what it is. KEEP HARRY’S LAW!
Love the show and hope you don’t cancel it.!
Ditto to all the other comments. Love this show & the actors. Why can’t a show with intelligence, wit & compassion survive? Maybe we need “Harry” to argue the case for all those over 49.
Keep it!!!Refreshing TV. All my friends tape it,talk about. Don’t be afraid of good TV. People are sick of garbag.. There are few choices these days. Please keep it.
Please, Please don’t cancel!!!!!! this is a keeper!!
This Is a wounderful show very fresh and original, kind of quirky like Alley McBeal and we all know how successful that one was.
Sometimes a show needs a little time to find It’s footing look at “Cheers” It to several seasons before It caught on, considering most of the shows on NBC aren’t that great give Harry’s Law a chance.
Kathy Bates Is superb and the cast of young characters are spot on go HARRY!!!!!!!!!!!
Love love Harrys law..Kathy Bates is great please renew
My husband and I love Harry’s Law…it’s clever and funny and serious and has interesting characters…we hope it returns next season. Perhaps one reason it doesn’t have high ratings is the name…like it’s another Judge Judy? Please, everyone, vote to keep it on TV!