Last May, fans of Harry’s Law were overjoyed when NBC decided to renew the David E. Kelley series for another season. Unfortunately, the ratings have been terrible this season and it will surely be cancelled soon. What happened?
Starring Kathy Bates, Harry’s Law revolves around a sarcastic attorney named Harriet Korn who opens a small law firm in a rundown shoe store in Cincinnati. She’s initially aided by a young attorney named Adam (Nate Corddry), a quirky assistant named Jenna (Brittany Snow), and a paralegal, Malcolm (Aml Ameen).
The show debuted last January to a 2.2 in the 18-49 demographic with 11.07 million viewers. The demo number’s not great but it was certainly a lot better than what the network had previously been getting in the Mondays at 10pm timeslot. The show’s total viewership was impressive however and, when you have poor numbers like NBC, older-skewing viewership is better than nothing. The ratings for Harry’s Law began to dwindle down pretty quickly and the show ended the season with a 1.4 demo rating and 7.75 million.
The show was on the bubble for renewal and, on one of the other big networks, the law drama surely would have been cancelled. But NBC had few truly successful shows to renew so they brought Harry’s Law back for a second season.
A few months later, it was announced that the show’s cast was undergoing some big changes. Snow and Ameen were replaced by Mark Valley and Karen Olivo, Christopher McDonald became a regular, and the shoe store was abandoned in lieu of a more standard office.
 Loading ... |
Many fans liked the old characters and quirky setting and expressed their displeasure with the changes before season two even began airing. When the show returned, it was to a new series low; a 1.2 in the demo and 7.5 million viewers. The most recent episode fell to an even more pitiful 1.1 rating with 7.3 million.
So, was NBC trying to sabotage Harry’s Law? No, of course not but they had to do something. Last season’s ratings weren’t good enough to keep the show on the air so producers and the network took a chance on making changes (not uncommon for a Kelley show) to hopefully attract more viewers. The gamble didn’t pay off and they ended up alienating some of the few viewers that they had.
Harry’s Law is currently averaging a 1.2 rating in the coveted demo and 7.85 million viewers. It’s the second-lowest scripted series on the network, performing just a bit better than Chuck on Friday nights. That show is ending it’s run after a 13 episode season and it looks certain that Harry’s Law will be cancelled after this season.
A few weeks back, NBC ordered a half dozen more scripts for Harry’s Law but, with these kinds of ratings, it’s very hard to imagine that they’ll ever be produced. If NBC’s mid-season replacement series tank, NBC could conceivably put some more episodes into production but that seems like a remote possibility at best.
Either way, Harry’s law firm is surely going to be closing its doors for good sometime this season.
What do you think? Did the season two changes ruin the show? Should NBC make more changes or should it just be cancelled already?
Image courtesy NBC.
I think NBC put Harry’s Law on in very challenging time slots so it didn’t stand a chance – the show itself was awesome – can’t beat Kathy Bates!
its takes me alot to get in to some tv shows but harrys law got in to it i love it and i will be sorry to see it end becouse it is so good it was down to earth i come from poor namber hood and it was good to something like my namerhood on tv so please but it back on we all do not live in big houses and have money it good to see poor namberhoods and rally things on tv please make season 3 if you do not like season 2 try to put abit… Read more »
I hate reality shows and sitcoms. We are senior citizen and we loved Harry’s Law. I wish you would consider putting it back on an earlier hour instead of at 9.pm.
We love Harry’s Law – its one of the few network shows we watch. Several yrs ago we switched to watching more cable shows during prime time because we’re sick of trash like the reality shows and silly sitcoms. Quality should win out so maybe cable will pick up the show – the hell with the networks!!
One of the smartest shows on T.V.
Honestly, I’m so tired of hearing that good shows are going off the air to be replaced by reality TV that isn’t even “real”! I love this show and love Kathy Bates-wake up NBC! I liked the show better last year–loved the idea of helping out poor neighborhoods and LOVED the shoe store idea! Oh well–if it gets cancelled, it’s just another reason to not watch NBC.
Love the show…. love the cases, unique and new…. love the script. It was by accident when i found the show.., just flipping channels to find a good show … it was on a different day of the week, i think…. but I finally found a great show to watch on Wednesday evenings…. so please don’t cancel the show…
What’s not to like? I didn’t like the changes at first, but if you can get past that it’s really a great show. I’m so sick of “trendy” shows that people watch just because it’s “what everyone’s watching” rather than giving something original a chance. I know the concept is not original, but the execution of it is. Hey NBC, spend more effort on marketing such a great show than on what your next replacement will be! Who want’s to START watching a show that’s already on the chopping block?
Great writing,great cast. Of course they’ll cancel it, and force feed us more cheaper made reality Tv crap. I hope they ,NBC, listens to the people who actually watch Tv. I’m sick of getting involved with a Tv show, only yo have it cancelled due to ” low ratings”. It’s all about the almighty dollar, nothing more.
I liked the Original Harry. Where she was a shoestring operation helping out minority and poor clients. Where the bimbo show girl added comedy. But then Kelly got his pencil out and fucked everything up. From what was a rather unique premise it degenerated into just another lawyer fights the system waste of time. I would like to see it stay because even as a stock show the cast was intriguing. Go or Stay, I don’t like NBC anyway especially after they tried to rob Direct TV.
I agree with B Peck and Brenda’s comments. I don’t watch the stupid reality shows and if you cancel Harry’s Law I won’t have any reason to watch NBC at all!
I’m 100% with you . No reason to watch NBC any more. Harry is a GEM. Give it a chance to shine.
I look so forward to watching Harry’s Law. I would love to keep it going. On the last episode Kathy Bates said they were changing to a new time and day in March. Does this mean it won’t be back on until then?
Really?? I agree that with all the stupid reality shows on TV we really have to ditch Kathy Bates?? I love this show. Is it off now or what? I could not find it this week.
Really? We can have a half dozen or more mindless reality shows but cancel a show with an actress as great as Kathy Bates.
I really like this show. The cast is great! I liked the setting last year but can live with their new. I think the subjects they take on are very enlightening. A show that makes a person think. Please leave it on or move it to another network.