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?
“Monetize” I’ve never read this word. Money is the bottom line. Neither the content nor the message was important, just the money. The characters on this series were an inspiration to every age demographic in that they were constantly being transformed. The series was inspiring for good. I watched the show this past week, checked to see if in fact it is illegal for gay people to give blood, found out it is illegal, and so began to start a movement to change the law. You’re taking this off the air. Put it on cable and I’ll buy whatever station… Read more »
I loved Harry’s Law! I can’t get enough of Kathy Bates…she is a class act! I’m so sad to see this canceled. Really….do we need another “reality show” catering to the under 50 age group?
I can’t believe Harry is cancelled!!! My husband and I are 37 and 39 and we have loved it from the start. There is very little left on TV that we will watch and this was one we always recorded so we wouldn’t miss it. We hate all the stupid reality shows that the “demographics” usually vote for. Guess the radio will be turned on a lot more in this house or books will be opened more because TV is going to crap! I think shows are kept if teenagers like them not real adults! How did shows like MASH… Read more »
Sad, sad events!! And who said that people over 50 are not important to advertising??!! OMG our age group has the money to spend (or didn’t you network big wigs realize that)….most of us fifty and overs have no children left at home, our mortgages are either paid of or close to it….personally we are a two income home and have the “extra” income to do the spending!!! Outside of that….I wish another network (CBS maybe) would pick up this marvelous show!! This season just got better and better:( I will miss it terribly!! Oh, and NBC….there’s not another show… Read more »
Very sad indeed. Kathy Bates and crew were phenomenal and Harry’s Law was one of the best shows on TV. NBC has made a terrible mistake.
Please go to cable Harry … I’d follow.
That’s typical of American TV. They cancel the best shows and continue to broadcast reality shows or mysteries that are boring and each one tries to show more bodies or body parts than the other. Harry’s Law was one of two TV shows that I watch.
Sorry NBC!! If we are too old by your demographics, I guess we can’t watch any of your other stupid shows that you have on. It’s no wonder your station ratings have fallen so far off. There are better stations to watch. You really don’t have anything else on your station that is interesting to us, except SVU. You must have a lot of “young” people running your station.
This came down to the fact that advertising agencies are only interested in people between the ages of 18-49. If you are fifty or over, you are dead to networks because advertisers don’t care about you. It’s sad to think that ad agencies and TV networks operate on the same principles they did when Don Draper was running an ad agency. What NBC is actually saying that because the show was popular with people outside the required demo, the ROI on the show wasn’t nearly high enough. And no, it won’t go to cable because it has a big, expensive… Read more »
Never should have moved it to Sunday.
The networks do not care about anyone out of the 18-49 demographic. I am so tired of getting invested in a show, and it never gets a fair chance. The networks constantly move
the time slots around, they preempt, etc. The only shows that don’t have to worry about renewal are the stupid reality shows, they are so cheap and they show it. In my opinion,
USA is the best network, I don’t know who owns it but they seem to give their shows a chance to gain an audience.
I stopped watching at episode 4. I loved season 1. You changed the whole show in the second season. It lost all the fun and became to stuffy for me.
I second that opinion. I loved the first season, but after all of the changes made, couldn’t get into the second season
I will miss this show. I can’t believe that NBC continues to show little faith or support for any of the shows it puts on. tired of the bull crap about the 18-49 demographic. I remeber when Tv was about shows just being fun to watch and Harry’s Law was fun to watch. NBC just gave me another reason not to watch.
NBC cancelled Harry’s Law????? The show on the network with the MOST viewers???? And they cancelled it???? No wonder they’re in so much trouble!!!! Unbelievable!!!!
I (and all my friends) have watched Harry since it began, two short years ago. I still can’t believe it’s been cancelled.
I hope cable picks it up, (please) would definately pay extra for Harry, just like I pay extra for Hallmark.
Sadly, my fiancee and I are both in this ‘dumbed down’ demographic of 18-49, and on the very young side of it as well. We both love Harry’s Law and are incredibly sad to see it go. I loved Boston Legal when it was on, and Harry seemed to be a good pick up from where they left off. Even though I’m in the networks target demographic, I find it insulting that they’d cancel a show for such stupid logic. Please go to cable Harry, I’d gladly follow!
Sincerely,
A 26 year old with a brain