Kathy Bates, 77, Blasts Network Over ‘Harry’s Law’ Past Cancellation: ‘F— You!’
Kathy Bates isn’t backing down from her fiery criticism of NBC executives who axed her beloved legal drama Harry’s Law over a decade ago. The Oscar-winning actress recently doubled down on her notorious 2013 comments, revealing the network’s brutal reasoning behind the cancellation that still stings today. But this is not all doom and gloom – this is a sweet story of Kathy Bates’ success!
The Brutal Truth Behind Harry’s Law‘s Shocking Cancellation
Back in 2011, Kathy Bates stepped into the role of Harriet “Harry” Korn, a sharp-tongued patent attorney who gets fired and decides to open her own criminal defense practice. The David E. Kelley creation was pulling in serious numbers—we’re talking close to 10 million viewers weekly. Yet NBC still gave it the axe after just two seasons.
Why? Because apparently, success with older viewers doesn’t translate to advertiser gold in the eyes of network suits. Just… wow. And sad.
In a recent interview with Variety, Kathy Bates pulled no punches when recounting what NBC executives told her: “We can’t monetize on old people.” Her response? A resounding “F— you!”
The 77-year-old powerhouse didn’t stop there. She’s still fired up about how the network treated their loyal fanbase, calling out NBC for “disrespecting our 7 to 11 million viewers a week” back in 2013. That raw emotion hasn’t cooled down one bit.
Kathy Bates Gets Her Sweet Revenge with Matlock Success
Here’s where things get deliciously ironic. Kathy Bates is now experiencing what she calls her “redemption stage” with CBS’s Matlock reboot. The show has been crushing it in the ratings, reaching nearly 16 million viewers across broadcast and streaming platforms. Talk about proving the doubters wrong.
The actress recently made Emmy history as the oldest-ever nominee for Outstanding Drama Actress at 77 years old. She’s also snagged a Critics Choice Award for her portrayal of folksy Southern charmer “Matty” Matlock, who’s secretly infiltrating a law firm to expose their role in the opioid crisis cover-up.
“Success is the best revenge,” Kathy Bates declared, and honestly, she’s not wrong. While NBC continues to struggle with their primetime lineup, Bates is basking in critical acclaim and viewer adoration on a competing network. Hah!
The Demographics Game Which Cost NBC Dearly
Despite pulling in millions of devoted viewers, Harry’s Law skewed older – a death sentence in the world of advertising rates. NBC wanted younger eyeballs, and they were willing to dump a successful show to chase them.
Looking back, this decision seems even more shortsighted. Kathy Bates has proven that older audiences have serious buying power and loyalty. The success of Matlock on CBS demonstrates that networks can absolutely “monetize on old people”—NBC just didn’t know how to do it properly.
Kathy Bates Is Fighting Hollywood Ageism
The cancellation of Harry’s Law wasn’t just about that particular show – it represented Hollywood’s persistent ageism problem. Kathy Bates has been quite vocal about how the industry treats older actors – especially women, and she’s using her platform to push back.
At the age of 77, she’s leveraging her influence to safeguard her projects and ensure productions benefit as well. Her experience with Harry’s Law clearly defined how she navigates her career today, making her more protective of both her work and the people who make it all possible.
The Network Television Scene Has Changed
What makes the NBC’s cancellation decision look even worse now is how the television landscape has evolved. Streaming platforms as well as cable networks have proven that niche audiences can be incredibly valuable. Shows with demographics that are considered older are finding success across multiple platforms. This now generates revenue through various streams which NBC couldn’t envision back in 2012.
In short, Kathy Bates and Matlock are scoring high on CBS, proving that quality storytelling – and with seasoned performers – can capture both critical acclaim and huge audiences. The show’s success across both broadcast and streaming platforms demonstrates the multi-platform potential NBC didn’t recognize with Harry’s Law.
What About Future Programming?
Kathy Bates‘ (freakin’ awesome) vindication with Matlock sends a clear message to network execs: don’t ever underestimate older audiences. Her journey from Harry’s Law cancellation to her Emmy nomination shows that talent and audience loyalty can overcome rash and short-sighted business decisions.
Feistily turning her frustration into fuel, Bates has created compelling television content which resonates with viewers of all ages. She didn’t just come roaring back from NBC’s BS rejection – she came back stronger, fiercer, and more determined than ever. We’re definitely here for every moment of her well-deserved victory lap.
