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?
NBC you are foolish who would prefer some trashy reality show to a well written show like Harry’s Law. It has a wonderful cast of talented actors and usually has a moral to the story, that’s unusual these days. I hope that it will be picked up by a cable network.
FOR ME IT WAS THE BEST SHOW ON TV, IT’S STORY LINES WERE VERY INTERESTING AND QUIRKY, IT REMINDED ME SO MUCH OF ALLY MCBEAL WHICH WAS A GREAT SHOW AND ALLOWED TO LAST A LONG TIME, OF COURSE I DON’T BELIEVE IT WAS ON NBC. I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY THOUGHT PROVOKING SHOW DON’T LAST A SEASON AND BRAINLESS SHOWS LAST FOR EVER. THE CAST OF HARRY’S LAW WAS GREAT, THEY HAD SUCH CHEMISTRY TOGETHER AND IT SEEMED THEY ENJOYED WHAT THEY WERE DOING. THE SCRIPTS WERE UP TO THE TIMES AND THE CLOSING ARGUMENTS WERE PHENOMENAL, I JUST LOVED… Read more »
YOU PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS. WATCH OUT SPONSORS. BEWARE OF ANGRY SENIORS. YOU CAN’T GIVE US REALITY GARBAGE – WE JUST SWITCH TO ANOTHER CHANNEL. I GUESS YOU PEOPLE CAN’T HANDLE A CLASS ACT LIKE KATHY BATES AND HARRY’S LAW. WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD SHOWS GONE. JUNK TV – HOORAY FOR YOU!!!!
Guess the NBC idiots aren’t used to a class act like Kathy Bates. And, by the by, don’t be so quick to dismiss the seniors. We are becoming the majority. Be scared, be very scared. Any classy stations out there who would like to give us back one of the best shows with one the best casts ever???? COME ON PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, way to go NBC exec’s…once again, you show your infinite wisdom in what you think intelligent people want to watch. Why is it, when you have a show that has the potential to be the next Ally McBeal or Boston Legal, you go and dump in the trash without giving it a decent chance just because of demographics. Although the first season was a bit slow, season two’s writing was top notch and you couldn’t beat the cast. Kathy Bates is one of the best actresses around, and it was a pleasure to get to watch Harry do battle… Read more »
Harry,s Law was our favorite show. NBC must be out of touch with. It’s viewers completely. Why can,t we have some SMART tv programs!
I am upset with NBC for canceling such a well written show. Subject matter was diversified and you never knew how it was going to end. So what if it is older adults watching it, is NBC saying that age group doesn’t count? Let’s add another talk show or reality show that has no substance, and are basically stupid. Im not sure if I will watch anything on NBC again, maybe I am too old for that network.
I agree with all those fans of Harry’s Law that wrote in before. I too am a baby boomer. Now that my husband and I are retired, we have more discretionary money. But we have no wear to spend it. The american companies refuse to make any type of comfortable clothing of quality for active women of a certain age that want loose clothes to hike, golf and bike and travel in. I am far from over weight but like the clothes of the 1980’s when clothes were loose fitting and not skin tight or tops that were once used… Read more »
I agree with you. We are older then you. The forgottens 1940 -1945 war babies. We (seniors) get no respect from the Major TV networks, clothing manufacturers, in advertising whatever. If there is a show with an older person, they are usually portrayed as dottering. There are the general cable stations TNT, Discover,History etc where we enjoy some shows. I hate the reality shows on NBC,CBS and ABC as I feel they are silly, and a waste of time. Going to miss Harry’s Law, as we did Human Target,Law & Order LA, and many others….Take care
It comes down to… you cannot control people who can think…and if they can think, even the existing advertisers have to work harder to convince them their products are worth buying. Do you think people with the intelligence to appreciate this show will buy/use something just because they are told it is the next big fad, or everyone is doing it? Or, better yet, are shown some incredibly enhanced video that implies amazing joy at just owning their product? Don’t you guys who watch this show actually make fun of the advertisements between segments? That’s the problem…
The only program on network TV my husband would watch with me was Harry’s Law. It was the best written and most intelligent program since West Wing. It’s hard to swallow that my demographic (mature, thoughtful, concerned) isn’t important enough to warrant renewing. My money spends as well as the “younger” demographic and you can be sure I’ve switched my purchasing power and avoiding those advertisers who consistently show up on junk TV. Why accept vanilla when you can serve butter pecan or any other product with substance? All NBC has done with this move is prove their stupidity and… Read more »
Harry’s Law was a great show. I admit the first season just didn’t click. However this season the writing improved and the characters had more depth. What can you say about Kathy Bates? It was such a joy watching her every week. If this show were to move to another station or cable, I’d follow it in a heartbeat!
We would follow as well.
NBC are idiots. Don’t they realize the demographics watching the show are the people with money that are supporting their sponsors. How many 18 years olds own a home, have a new car, etc.
Harrys Law was the best show on TV, ever…
I have to agree! Greenblatt’s quote “Its audience skewed very old. It’s hard to monetize that” has me scratching my head, and feeling a bit insulted. Boomers have money, leisure time and love Kathy Bates and cast! I enjoy good health – I’m not crazy about Rx ads, but does that mean they would have to find ED, urinary incontinence, etc. advertising? How about cruise lines and sporty car companies? Investments & technology? The reasoning is counter-intuitive to me. And – 18 – 49 demographic is a wildly diverse and huge bucket! The low end is in college and the… Read more »
Please bring Harry’s Law back…..I love this show !
This was high quality TV, cancelled by a network that I had started to associate with low quality and had hoped with this superb production was now trying to correct that problem. I am sorely disappointed in NBC.
Harry’s Law was one of a handful of shows worth watching!
I think NBC is totally stupid for cancelling the show!
I wish it had started with CBS, it may have had a chance since most all of their shows are at least half way good.
Poor old NBC! Will they ever get it together again after Johnny Carson? I think NOT!
Sell Harry’s Law to someone else who wants to entertain the public and make money?
Richard
We had agroup of 32 friends and relatives that watched and exchanged comments and views about what a great show Harry`s Law is/was and wished there were more like it.
One thing NBC better wise up to is we “old folks” are the majority and have a lot more influence and spend a lot more than they realize.
We ,all 32 of us, and anyone else we can influence, will go to another channel if it`s pickup. We will also boycott NBC & their advertisers in the mean time. Just because we`re old & don`t have anything else to do!!