‘Jeopardy’ Moves Back Into First-Place Tie

Jeopardy had the right answer with interim host Mayim Bialik in the session ending Sept. 26, as it edged up 6% from the week before to a 5.4 live-plus-same-day national Nielsen rating, to tie usual syndication leader Family Feud. The last time Jeopardy was at the top of the chart was more than five months ago. Feud, which had not yet begun its new season, was also in positive territory, adding 2% to a 5.4.

In daytime, some shows were preempted for coverage of President Biden’s remarks at the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 21. Nevertheless, Dr. Phil had the loudest voice in the talk show world, spiking 6% to a healthy 19-week high 1.8 and gaining sole possession of first place in the category.

Live with Kelly and Ryan was a strong second despite dipping 6% to a 1.6.

Ellen DeGeneres was the third highest of the 15 talkers, doing well to hold its ground at a 1.0, which matched its biggest rating in 14 weeks. Making its last season count, Ellen has elevated its Nielsens 25% over the previous two weeks, while averaging more than 1.4 million viewers each day.

Judge Judy continued to be the fiercest friend of the court, blowing away all robed rivals with a 4% rise to a nine-week high 4.7.

The top talk shows for the week among women 25-54 were:

• Dr. Phil (0.6, +20% from the week before), tied with Live with Kelly and Ryan (0.6, unchanged)
• Ellen DeGeneres (0.4, unchanged), tied with Kelly Clarkson (0.4, unchanged)
• Maury (0.3, unchanged), tied with Wendy Williams (0.3, unchanged)

In the household rating rankings that follow, % change is from the previous week; * indicates a new season-high rating; ** indicates a new season low; NC indicates no change from the previous week; NA means not applicable.

TALK SHOWS

Dr. Phil (CMV) 1.8 +6%

Live with Kelly and Ryan (Disney-ABC) 1.6 -6%

Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD) 1.0 NC

Maury (NBCU) 0.9 +13%

The Kelly Clarkson Show (NBCU) 0.9 NC

Rachael Ray (CMV) 0.7 NC

Wendy Williams (Debmar-Mercury) 0.6 -14%

Dr. Oz (Sony) 0.6 NC

Tamron Hall (Disney-ABC) 0.6 -14%

Drew Barrymore (CMV) 0.5 NC

Steve Wilkos (NBCU) 0.5** -17%

Jerry Springer (NBCU) 0.3 NC

The Real (WBDTD) 0.3 NC

The Doctors (CMV) 0.2 NC

COURT SHOWS

Judge Judy (CMV) 4.7 +4%

Hot Bench(CMV) 1.6 NC

People’s Court (WBDTD) 0.8 NC

Judge Mathis (WBDTD) 0.6 NC

Divorce Court (Fox First Run) 0.5 +25%

Judge Jerry (NBCU) 0.4 NC

Protection Court (Trifecta)

GAME SHOWS

Jeopardy (CMV) 5.4 +6%

Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury/FMNA) 5.4 +2%

Wheel of Fortune (CMV) 5.0 +4%

You Bet Your Life (Fox First Run) 0.8 +14%

25 Words or Less (Fox First Run) 0.7 NC

Funny You Should Ask (Entertainment Studios) 0.4 NC

MAGAZINE SHOWS

Inside Edition (CMV) 2.3 +10%

Entertainment Tonight (CMV) 2.2 +5%

Access Hollywood (NBCU) 0.8 NC

TMZ (WBDTD) 0.7 NC

Extra (WBDTD) 0.6 NC

Daily Mail TV (CMV) 0.6 +20%

Dish Nation (Fox First Run) 0.3 NC

OFF-NET SITCOMS

Big Bang Theory (WBDTD) 2.4 +9%

Last Man Standing (Disney-ABC) 1.5 +7%

Modern Family (Disney-ABC) 0.9 +13%

Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) 0.9 NC

The Goldbergs(Sony) 0.8 NC

Seinfeld (Sony) 0.8 +14%

Family Guy (Disney-ABC) 0.7 -13%

Two Broke Girls (WBDTD) 0.6 NC

Mike and Molly (WBDTD) 0.5** -17%

Black-ish (Disney-ABC) 0.5** -17%

Mom (WBDTD) 0.5 NC

OFF-NET WEEKLY HOURS

Dateline Weekly (NBCU) 4.1 -2%

Chicago P.D. (NBCU) 1.1 -21%

Chicago Fire (NBCU) 1.1 NA

Monk (NBCU) 1.0 -38%

Law & Order: SVU (NBCU) 0.9 -50%

Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBCU)

American Ninja Warrior (NBCU) 0.8 -38%