Dear Kathy Bates, Remember how NBC cancelled your Harry's Law drama series in spring 2012, at the end of its second season, even though it was then the network's most-watched drama series — because NBC suits felt its audience skewed too old and Warner Bros, not NBCU, owned the show? If memory serves me, you were asked…

Kathy Bates spat on NBC today. Coming to Summer TV Press Tour 2013 to talk, cryptically, about her role in the latest iteration of Ryan Murphy's FX anthology series American Horror Story: Coven, she got asked if it took an experience like this one to get her back into the TV series business after her unpleasant…

Series cancelled before their time rarely fare well at the Emmys in their last go-around. But NBC’s Harry’s Law defied the odds, landing two noms for its second and final season — the same as last year. Star Kathy Bates earned her second nom in the best actress in a drama series category, and Jean Smart was nominated…

NBC is bringing back 13 comedy series — seven new and six returning — vs. 9 dramas — five new and four returning, so it was clear its schedule was going to be comedy-heavy. But the network is making a big statement with comedy blocks on four nights: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. That is a very rapid…

NBC has pulled the plug on one of its most watched series, David E. Kelley‘s Harry’s Law starring Kathy Bates. The Oscar winner posted the news on Twitter. “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.” A rare TV series with a 60something…

While Fox wrapped its new series pickups and existing series renewals within a couple of hours yesterday, for NBC, whose upfront presentation is on the same day as Fox, it has become a week-long ordeal. After early series pickup of comedy Go On and renewals of Grimm and Smash last month, the network began its…

CBS appears poised to win Sunday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers with an NCAA basketball overrun that scrambled its fast-national averages. ABC’s Once Upon A Time (2.8/8) was down a tenth from last week to a new series low. Desperate Housewives (2.6/7) was up a tenth from last week’s fast national, flat with…

North Hollywood, CA, March 13, 2012 – The seven programs being honored at the Fifth Annual Television Academy Honors were announced today by multiple Emmy® Award-winning actress Dana Delany (Body of Proof), who will once again host the Honors presentation in May. The 2012 honorees are Dr. Oz, Five, Harry's Law "Head…

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – January 13, 2012 – NBC will move the season premiere of "The Celebrity Apprentice" back one week to Sunday, February 19 (9-11 p.m. ET) from its previously announced debut of Sunday, February 12 (9-11 p.m. ET). An original two-hour episode of "Fear Factor" will now be broadcast on Sunday…

Fox and ABC, which have alternated at the top of the Wednesday 18-49 rankings this season, finished tied last night — but for second place, not first . Paced by Survivor, CBS (3.1/8) posted its first Wednesday demo win this season, edging Fox and ABC (3.0/8). Heading toward its season finale, Survivor: South Pacific…

Fox hasn’t been able to successfully launch a comedy series behind American Idol. Can The X Factor do the trick? Results from last night’s debut of new multicamera comedy I Hate My Teenage Daughter after the singing competition are inconclusive. The sitcom drew a 2.8/7 in adults 18-49. That was down 20% from the last…

Harry’s Law is featured on NBC’s just-released midseason schedule, so this seams like a foregone conclusion, but word is that NBC is giving a full-season to David E. Kelley’s sophomore series. Also looking good to get a back order is freshman Grimm, which also is on NBC’s midseason schedule. UPDATE: I have learned…