TomKat Split Sends Magazine Numbers Up

News of the Tom Curise-Katie Holmes divorce settlement sent ratings for every one of the syndicated magazines skyward in the week ending July 15. Coincidently, dating show Excused (CTD) had easily the largest week-to-week increase of any strip in first-run syndication. The show, with host Iliza Shlesinger, jumped 40% to a 0.7, its best performance in four weeks.

Magazine leader Entertainment Tonight (CTD) hit its highest ratings since May, with a 6% surge from the week before to a 3.6. Inside Edition (CTD) added 7% to a 3.0; TMZ (WBDTD) recovered 6% to a 1.8, tying Access Hollywood (NBCU), which grew 6% to a 1.8 in households and increased 13% among women 18-49; The Insider (CTD) improved 7% to a 1.5, tying Extra (WBDTD), which also clocked a 1.5, up 7% in households and up 17% among women 18-49.

Talk Shows

In daytime, most of the top-tier talk shows were flat to down. Leader Dr. Phil (CTD) aired several reruns and dipped 4% from the week before to a new season low 2.3, but still landed in a tie with Maury (NBCU) and Dr. Oz (Sony) for the top spot. Maury was unchanged at a 2.3, while Oz inched up 5% to a 2.3.

Live with Kelly (Disney-ABC) dropped 4% to a 2.2; The Ellen DeGeneres Show (WBDTD) eroded 7% to a 1.6; with The Doctors (CTD) right behind, remaining steady at a 1.5.

First-Run Freshmen

Newcomer Bethenny (WBDTD) concluded its successful six-week summer trial run with double- or triple-digit growth in every key female demographic compared to its July 2011 time period averages. In terms of households, Bethenny outperformed its lead-ins by 11% and its year-ago time periods by 43%, averaging 1.0 rating/3 share in its six metered markets.

Anderson (WBDTD) eased 8% to a 1.1, but still led the first-run, nationally rated freshmen strips for the 44^th week in a row. Jeremy Kyle (Debmar-Mercury) and We the People with Gloria Allred (Entertainment Studios) were flat at 0.5 and 0.4, respectively.

Court Shows

Among court shows, daytime queen Judge Judy (CTD) was far in front despite taking a 2% breather from the prior frame to a 5.9. Judge Joe Brown (CTD) held steady at a 2.4; People’s Court (WBDTD) tumbled 10% to 1,8; Judge Mathis (WBDTD) was unchanged at a 1.5; while Judge Alex (Twentieth) fell 7% to a 1.3.

Game Shows

Back in access, Wheel of Fortune (CTD) rebounded 7% from its season low in the prior session to a 6.0. Jeop tacked on 6% to a 5.2; while Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC) were flat at 3.0 and 2.3, respectively.

Off-Net Sitcoms

In off-net syndication, sitcom topper Big Bang Theory (WBDTD) spiked 9% from the week before to a 6.2. Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) advanced 4% to a 5.1; Family Guy (Twentieth) gained 5% to a 4.0; How I Met Your Mother (Twentieth) soared 26% to a 2.9; Seinfeld (Sony) spurted 9% to a 2.4, tying King of the Hill (Twentieth), which climbed 14% to a 2.4.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

Among off-net weekly hours, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBCU) strengthened 13% from the week before to a 2.6 and headed the category along with Without a Trace (WBDTD), which slipped 4% to a 2.6. Criminal Minds (CTD) faded 11% to a 2.5 and landed in a tie with Monk (NBCU), which was down 7% to a 2.5, and Law & Order (NBCU), which was unchanged at a 2.5.