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.
This is one of the best legal shows on TV. I love this
show it is realistic and it tells the viewers the truth. RENEW
this show. Bates is the only lawyer that I have seen that
knows about an ends to Justice. She should be on the U.S.
Supreme Court she is not afraid of advocating for the least of
those LOL! She is the best depiction of what an attorney should
do to uphold her oathe.
I cant beleive it! A decent show, just cut off at the knees. I was basically paying cable for nothing until ” Harry” came along . I never stayed up for a ten o’clock since I retired, 19 yrs. ago! I even recorded it in case i fell asleep. I lost track due to time change (est), and the next thing I know “IT’S GONE”. Bring it back, please! I think the show was entertaining, as well as, educating when it comes to the law. In my opinion, every character, in one way or another, gave the viewers a reason… Read more »
RENEW IT! We love this show.
Keep the show going and keep bringing to light the sacred cows that the judicial system uses to overwhelm true justice without consideration of humanity. We need some real guts inTV programming, and NBC has finally shown that they can program something beside sex and juvenile humor.
Please keep the show! Love kathy bates and the way she cares without being mussy! Not sure on changes like the cast but would have kept the young lawyer wight he girl from dry cleaners if u broke up once that reason will b back!
We totally loved the show, it was just on the wrong night for the type of viewer who would enjoy it. Just don’t put it up against a typically popular show until it gets it’s audience established.
PLEASE PLEASE – DEFINITELY RE-NEW HARRY’S LAW IT IS THE BEST SHOW ON TV!
yes, RENEW!! I looked forward to it. Best show on TV…I just got into the habit of watching, and it was gone. Please bring it back.
I thought that this was an awesome show. I believe that I cried during almost every show because it was heartfelt and laughed at the characters . Kathy Bates… actually the entire cast was great. . This show should return for another season. Probably , if it aired earlier it would demand a higher %age of viewers.
RENEW! My friends and I love this show.
What the heck. Is wrong withyou canceling a great show like this??you do know that the
Baby boomers is one of the highest in age groups, right???this is the best show to be out
There for TV for years..you all are nuts to get rid of it..
I need it too keep going I really got hook on it neat tv love Katy Bates put it back on mickey
I love finally seeing Kathy Bates on the small screen. I like the show, like the premise of the show and find the characters interesting for the most part. Please renew it.
Yes I definately feel that the show should be renewed! I love this show! I watch it every Monday with my husband and was very sad when the finale came. At first the show had a slow start but as each week came the show got better and better! Kathy Bates is a legend and deserves to have this show still air.
I never stay up late to watch tv programs…. but I stay up to see Harry’s Law. What a nice, good-hearted scenario and such wonderful actors. I love Kathy Bates. Please keep this program for those of us who like an old-fashioned story. I dislike reality shows. After all, we are all in one every day. It is nice to escape!