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.
It should not be Cancelled. Stations just want – the prime spots. They really do not care about us – the viewers.
Renew this show! It is the only show where the themes are critical in society.It’s like education where the students are given moral dilemmas and must decide what is the best course of action. Come to think of it, the thought-provoking nature of the program will get it cancelled. It belongs on PBS. What a shame.
A Wonderful show! Not many on air. The acting is superb. Disappointed it wasn’t on any longer. Please Don’t cancel but bring it back next season. Thank You-
We loved it, And are looking forward to it coming back.
Finally we get a great show and now you’re talking cancel. Keep it on one night not two . we are all sick of TOO much CSI and law and order.
Bring it back, please. There is so much crap on television and this is one show that I enjoyed watching. Kathy Bates is amazing.
To the powers that be… thank you SO MUCH for renewing this show!! Can’t wait for season 2- whoo hoo!!
Harry’s Law is so great – Kathy Bates is fantastic, believable and perfect in the role. WHY do they want to cancel a show that is intelligent, funny and aimed towards grown ups instead of the sleaze that is on tv?
My husband I want it all the time and hope that it renews. It has a different twist from the cops and lawyer shows.
Awesome show! I started watching mid-season and loved it. Please bring it back!!!
I really liked the show the first few weeks but somewhere along the way it felt tlike there was a change in writers. The last several plots seemed copied and desperate. Kathy has so much range but the writers are giving her fluff. And why do we need the mindless infactuations between the main charactors? I hope the network and the writers wake up and make this more of a dramatic show or Kathy won’t be the only one hearing a slamming door!
I would really like to see this show return to prim time, I am from Cinnati Ohio where the show is filmed, and my dauther (11 years) have looked forward to it coming back to prim time, plus I think Kathy Bates rocks. It was nice to see someone that stood up to the bullies, gang etc. even though it is a show I thourghly enjoyed it. Please Please try it again. Thank you
I really like this show and wish it would be renewed. Kathy Bates is wonderful. Please give it another try.
My wife and I love it. We record the other show we watch on at same time as Harry and watch Harry’s Law. It is good and deserves to be renewed.
This is one of the best shows on NBC. Kathy Bates plays the role beautifully! I love the young attorney Adam on the show as well. The courtroom scenes are what I enjoy most. I could do without the (office) romance but other external relationships add interest. I think it would do better in the 9 PM timeslot, but I’ll continue to watch at whatever time it shows.
David Baker needs to watch the show. Where on earth did you get the idea that this was “anti-male”. Kathy Bates is superb and the show gets better every time. They are still finding their rythem, but it is wonderful. And because I love it, it will probably be cancelled. I certainly hope not!!!!