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?
I’m so sad. Harry’s Law was my favorite show. Each script was so well written, and every single cast member was a perfect fit. Hope they are picked up by cable.
I can’t believe they are dropping a well written show like Harry’s Law and keeping more reality shows – enough is enough –
WHERE AND TO WHOM DO WE WRITE TO COMPLAIN???
I loved Harry’s Law and cannot believe they are canceling it! The ‘audience is too old’? You can’t ‘monetize an audience that old’? What the…?! IMO, this show dealt with relevant issues and actually had some depth to it. But I guess the networks would rather keep their stupid, pointless, and incredibly-shallow reality shows. {ugh} And I find it sort of ironic that a show that was about standing for the rights of others….can’t fight for itself. And we the audience, apparently, have no choice. Boooooo on you, NBC.
YES, YES, YES! Would definitely watch whatever network it was on. One of the best shows on TV, smart, sassy, unbelievable cast! Hopefully, another network will be picking it up.
I am outraged at the execs’ decision to ax THE best drama on TV! Harry’s Law is topical, witty & entertaining… we looked forward to watching it each week and will no longer support ANY NBC television from here on in. We really thought NBC was different than all of the other junk networks out there who pander to the lowest common denominator… GET WITH THE PROGRAM NBC! Miss Bates, and all of the Harry family will be SORELY missed! Thank you for opening our eyes, our minds and our hearts for two AMAZING seasons!
Another NBC poor decision..your evening TV is horrible at best, but at least this show was a winner, a sad day for all the cast,. We looked forward to watching you every week.
The stories were fantastic, great job to the writers on the show. I will miss you
Hopefully cable will pick you up. What now age discrimination on shows!!
We are fed up with all the stupid reality shows all the networks THINK we want…..
Harry’s Law is a great TV drama. It approaches complicated issues like no other show has past or present. A nice touch of humor but a serious airing of both sides of complex issues.
TV and it’s audience need shows with this level of humanity. Real people, real problems with mixed solutions and a real life “you win some, you lose some”. Great actors, great performances, great scripts, real issues (not just crime and more crime) all make for a great show. Please someone pick this up we will all be better for it.
We love Harry’s Law. At least it isn’t the witless dialouge of so many of these half hour shows that keep popping up season after season. Bring it back. Quit trying to humor those 30 something’s. There are enough shows out there for their short attention span as it is. Cable, pick it up. You won’t be sorry.
So, you’re cancelling my favorite show and the only show I ever watch on your network. Do you NBC execs really wonder why your network is the least watched of the four major networks??? Get a clue.
So, the numbers weren’t in the “right” category? Well, we recorded EVERY single episode and we are in the “young” demographic. NBC is making a HUGE mistake! Please reconsider. You will lose the over 50 demographic when you replace a GREAT show with a HIP new comedy or reality show. I guess NBC really IS the BIGGEST LOSER!
My entire family, 2 university students, my wife, and myself love Harry’s law, it makes you think about the issues of the day, enough already of senseless shows on television! I think this show should be on another network, it’s very provocative, and informative, the actors
are superb!
This makes no sense! This show is brilliant and one of the highlights of our house! We have fallen in love with the characters and can’t believe it . I agree with another comment made NBC … BIG MISTAKE! TNT pick this show up and let’s let these networks end up on the junk pile the way they keep making drastic errors in judgement.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE. THE OLDER GENERATION SHOULD BE LISTENED TO. THE JUNK THAT IS ON TV THESE DAYS IS NOTHING BUT GARBAGE. HARRY’S LAW WAS ONE OF THE EXCEPTIONS. THE YOUNGER GENERATION IS SO MORALLY WRONG. IF THERE ISN’T A LOT OF SEX AND KILLINGS THEY DON’T WATCH THE PROGRAMS. IF THEY WOULD WATCH MORE OF SHOWS LIKE HARRY’S LAW THEY MIGHT LEARN TO BECOME GOOD CITIZENS. SHAME ON NBC. I HOPE ANOTHER NETWORK PICKS IT UP.
My roomate and I are both in our early 30’s and we love this show. If ABC thinks we watch shows because they are ABC they are wrong. We would watch Harry’s Law on any network. I just hope another network picks up the show.