Though Harry’s Law was the most-watched scripted TV show on NBC this season, the network cancelled it. As I’ve suggested in the past, advertisers favor shows that attract those in the 18-49 demographic. Though Harry’s Law had a lot of viewers, the legal series had some of the lowest demographic numbers on the network.
When asked why Kathy Bates and company had been let go, NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt said, “It was a difficult decision. Everyone here respects Harry’s Law a lot but we were finding it hard to grow the audience for it. Its audience skewed very old. It’s hard to monetize that.”
Bates broke the news of the show’s cancellation over the weekend. She wrote to fans, “Sad news today. Harry’s Law will not be renewed for a 3rd season. We are all terribly sad. Many thanks for all your support.”
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The actress later noted, “Waiting for this verdict was tough. We wrapped a month ago so it was a very long wait!”
Bates reconciled, “Tough day getting used to the idea of no more Harry. Think I’ll keep her with me 4ever.”
When asked if there was a possibility that Harry’s Law might move to cable, Bates responded, “No hope.” But, responding to an inquiry last night on the subject, Bates wrote, “Not sure, but don’t think so.”
Justine Lupe, who played Phoebe Blake, wrote, “Sad day. Little bit of heartbreak. What a gift to had had this time.”
Actress Karen Olivo, who joined the cast in season two as Cassie Reynolds, responded with a message to her castmates, “It was an honor, my friends!”
Nathan Corddry, who’d been playing Adam Branch since the show began, noted, “I’d thank everyone individually, but the list is too long.Never was happier professionally. Thank you for a wondrful 2 years. #tough2swallow”
What do you think? Are you going to miss Harry’s Law as much as the cast will? If the show did move to another channel, would you follow it?
Unbelievable. Can’t imagine what NBC is thinking!! This is a great show. I will follow the show to wherever it goes! Big mistake NBC!!!
What a shame to cancel a high class show like Harry’ Law. Fine acting, good scripts
and excellent production. Old folks buy things too, NBC should reconsider their
decision, demographics say the seniors are becoming a dominant force in America.
I love this show. My favorite. Very saddened.
I loved Harry’s Law. It was hard to follow when they kept moving it to a different day but I thoroughly enjoyed watching it on Sundays. Such a quality show. They’ll keep crap like the Kardashian’s but when a well-written show with a talented cast comes on, it gets cancelled.
I can’t believe NBC would cancel Harry’s Law. They are sinking and tossed away a life saver. It’s a great show. I would love to see another network pick this show and cast up.
I absolutely believe Harry’s Law to be one of
The best two shows on tv. Kathy Bates is a
genius when it comes to acting. All of the
other actors and actresses were very good
and the storyline was always fresh and
different from everything else on tv. I am
appalled that these things are not more
important than demographics. I really hope
another network will see it’s merit and pick
it up for us old people. I will definitely watch
it.
Finally a show worth watching; solid and extremely well written yet succumbing sadly to a demographic issue with its advertisers! This has been a virtual excuse for decades in justifying the life and death of radio and TV programming. Today’s burgeoning baby-boomers, the new “older demo”, has a much broader and hipper mind-set than comparable age groups of a generation ago. “Harry’s Law” should have been a 25+ demo winner if it was marketed as smartly and efficiently as it is produced. The conventional, mainstream networks desperately need leadership shows like “Harry’s Law” now and even more so into the… Read more »
Really ? WHY the shows we grow to Look Forward to ? The shows we adjust schedules to keep open viewing time ? Geez guys. Really ?
Additionally…..Insulted, Money-spending “older” demographic. Shame on you not ‘growing’ the audience that HAS money to Spend ? hmmmm.. Bright. huh ?
With all the absolute junk on TV these days, to remove a show with a high class cast is absurd! I hope it for a to cable and shows NBC what idiots they are.
Harry’s Law is one of the best shows on tv at present. With the airwaves taken over by mindless reality show drivell aimed specifically at those who are addicted to living vicariously through the drama of reality shows, it was a treat to sit and be entertained by actors rather than talentless people “entertaining” viewers at the expense of their fellow talentless cast mates.
NBC, I’m very disappointed that you so blatantly claim only one target group matters.
NBC is crazy. With that many viewers their marketing department is the failure. Harrys Law was both fun and thought provoking. We will miss it! My college daughter and I would watch it together.
What a mistake. This was the best written show on TV. Always relevant…at times heart warming with a dose of humor. Harry’s Law was a gem. NBC missed the boat. By the way, I am over 49 and I probably have more to spend on things advertised on TV.
Amazingly sad and very frustrating ! !
Harry’s Law and The Firm are my family’s favorite shows.
We are professional baby boomers. In our opinion, NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt has made some very poor decisions.
Gratefully, we have the choice to flip the channel away from NBC.
I will follow Harry’s Law to whatever channel it goes to. So what if the audience skewed very old? I am tired of hearing that networks don’t care about the older generation. There are other people in this world besides this group and just maybe if everyone cared just a little less about the 18-49 demographic they wouldn’t all have such an attitude of entitlement! This was one of the best lawyer shows ever. NBC should be ashamed of themselves.
Yes, I would follow it on another network. Good characters and another show that grew on the viewer more each time they viewed it. Will miss it … the show, the characters, the actors.