Harry's Law

Original Post May 14, 2012

This past Friday NBC announced its schedule for the fall of 2012 and Harry’s Law, the legal drama starring Kathy Bates, was a casualty.

Harry’s Law was the second highest rated show on the network this season, averaging 8.8 million viewers per week. The show was cancelled is because its ratings scored low in the beloved 18-49 age demographic.

Could someone please explain to me how this makes any sense?

With the lack of quality, scripted primetime shows out there, you think it would be beneficial for any network to hold onto a show drawing that many viewers, especially NBC. Besides its Thursday night comedy lineup, and I’m referring to 30 Rock, Community, Parks and Recreation, and The Office, the network is kind of lacking in decent programming.

I have watched Harry’s Law since its inception, mostly because a friend of mine worked on the show. The first season I felt was a little too corny and over dramatic, but the writing was still decent enough. Kathy Bates was made to play Harriet Korn, the show’s main character who opens her own law practice in a shoe store in a rough part of Cincinnati.

The second season shifted gears completely, writing out some of the primary characters that made up some of the back office drama while bringing some new, more recognizable actors. The main setting moved to an actual office upstairs from the shoe store, and much of the sappiness went out the window. Season two opens with three part murder trial, with the defendant being played by Alfred Molina (yes, the same Alfred Molina that exchanged the whip for the amulet with Indiana Jones at the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark, the crack smoking drug dealer rocking to “Sister Christian” in Boogie Nights, and Doctor Ock).

As the season progressed the show began to find its niche, as the writing primarily focused on the issues of the court cases, from cyber bullying to a custody battle over a gorilla that escaped from a local zoo. The characters developed even further in their business and personal relationships. I was still tuning in for my friend, but I began to enjoy watching the show each week.

Now I don’t know who makes the decisions at NBC, but whoever it is needs a wakeup call. It’s unfortunate they cancel intelligent shows like Harry’s Law when there’s still a bunch of mindless dribble that’s on television (don’t get me started on reality TV). For me and the other 8.8 million viewers, it’s one less thing to look forward to each week.