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.
Please keep Harry’s law on the air next season. I have really enjoyed it – just wish it would be moved to a better time slot. Monday at 10 has two other shows I like, so I have to watch one and tape the other two (if one is Harry’s Law). Wed. night’s lineup is really lousy (on all 3 networks) so they could move Harry to Wed. and pick up more viewers.
I love Harry’s Law. I go to bed at 9:00, but would drink a lot of coffee just to stay up late enough to watch it. There are three shows on television worth watching, Harry’s Law, a show on Public Television and NCIS. Otherwise, I don’t make it a point to watch television other than the news and weather. One good thing is that I read a lot more.
One of the best shows on offer this year. I hope they don’t drop the ball on this one. Too few really enjoyable programs to watch any more.
This show should definitely not be cancelled. It is a rare combination of intelligence and wit. While the premise may be unlikely, it doesn’t completely escape the realm of possibility. There are very few shows on t.v. that I make a point of watching, but this one is worth my time. I’ve enjoyed it from the beginning and recommended it to several people, all of whom started watching it. Please let it continue.
PLEASE KEEP HARRY’S LAW ON FOR ANOTHER SEASON (AT LEAST!) THE EPISODES ARE TERRIFIC – THE ACTORS ARE RIGHT ON POINTE!!! YOU CAN’T GET BETTER THAN KATHY BATES (SHAME ON NBC FOR EVEN THINKING OF CANCELLING HER SHOW!!!)
Keep the show. It is great.
My husband and I are very disappointed to learn this fantastic show may be cancelled. We have referred our friends to the program stating that it is “slick, amusing, and extremely entertaining.” Ms. Bates along with her fellow castmates are well-suited for the roles they play. Ms. Bates brings the best out of them!
For heaven sakes, Please renew it, it is the only show I absolutely can’t wait to see each week. For some reason nobody has ever heard of it when I asked if they watch, Keep it another season and I will advertise myself to get ratings up. Kathy Bates is the best!
Please don’t cancel Harry’s Law. The characters are wonderful. I’m an old fan of such shows as Perry Mason, Murder She Wrote and Columbo and Harry’s Law rates right up there with them. In this busy world we live, if I don’t get a chance to watch it on T.V. I watch it on the computer. I don’t think I’ve missed an episode. Please bring it back.
you have got to be kidding about dropping Harry’s Law. it is one of only 3 or 4 shows to watch on tv. bring it back.
Love this show, one of the only ones my husband and I agree on.
I really miss Harry’s Law. It was one of the few good, original shows on TV. It had interesting characters, interesting storylines, and dealt with difficult and important legal issues. Plus, it had humor and Kathy Bates! Please don’t cancel the show to substitute more of the usual mindless crap with which TV has become plagued and inundated.
too bad it hasn’t been on, good series, its funny, exciting and you just got into knowing the characters. Also too bad that you don’t consider that Canada likes the show too and the ratings would of course be higher.
NBC can’t seriously be thinking of dropping Harry’s Law. One of the few intelligent programs on the vast wasteland that T.V. has become with the likes of Jersy Shore and the real housewives of vapid land. Get a clue NBC. The idea that you’d substitute Wonder Woman for Harry’s Law is ridiculous—even if they’re both from David E. Kelly.
Didn’t he also give us Cop Rock???
please bring harry’s law back on. we know of a lot of people who are watching it now because we told them it is a decent show with a nice slice of humor. honestly you bring CHUCK the DUCK back and whack the LAW!!! REALLY??? you cant beat bates and she does an incredible job on this program. had a long distant call from my aunt last night a the first thing she said: I HAVE JUST ONE QUESTION WHAT HAPPENED TO HARRYS LAW? why don’t you move it to a different slot if this is a bad one for… Read more »
I love Harry’s Law and I tell everyone to tune into it. Kathy Bates is great as well as all the characters on the show. What are you thinking taking it off! Try a different time slot or day. Just let us fans know where it’s going to be!