Fresh Shows Push ‘Live’ Into Top Talk Spot

In the national syndication ratings for the Labor Day holiday week ending Sept. 11, Live with Regis and Kelly (Disney-ABC) began its final season with Regis Philbin as co-host after two weeks of airing reruns. The show jumped 24% to a 2.6 and led the yak pack, although none of the other talkers had started their seasons yet and most were still in repeats.

Dr. Phil (CTD) was up 14% to a 2.4, its best performance in 15 weeks; Maury (NBCU) grew 5% to a 2.3; Oprah (CTD) gained 6% to a 1.9; and Dr. Oz (Sony) fell 5 to a 1.8.

Court Shows

Judge Judy (CTD) continued to be the highest-rated court show and tied Wheel for the top spot in syndication, growing 2% from the week before to a 6.1.

Among the other courtrooms, Judge Joe Brown (CTD) spiked 8% to a 2.7; and People’s Court (WBDTD) surged 17% to a2.1.

Magazine Shows

Access Hollywood (NBCU) had the biggest increase among the magazines, surging 12% both week to week and year to year to a 1.9, its highest rating in 15 weeks.

Leader Entertainment Tonight (CTD) gave back 3% to a 3.2; Inside Edition (CTD) tacked on 4% to a 2.8; TMZ (WBDTD) and The Insider (CTD) were unchanged at 1.7 and 1.4, respectively; while Extra (WBDTD) climbed 8% to a 1.4 and its Extra Weekend spurted 25.

Game Shows

Among the game shows, Wheel of Fortune (CTD) recovered 3% from the week before to a 6.1. Jeopardy (CTD) added 8% to a 5.2; Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) faded 8% to a 2.4; while Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC) lost 4% to a 2.3.

Off-Net Sitcoms

Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) continued to lead the off-net sitcoms, although it remained at a 5.9. Family Guy (Twentieth) slid 5% to a 3.9; How I Met Your Mother (Twentieth) grew 21% to a 3.5; and Seinfeld (Sony) stayed at a 2.6.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBCU) reversed its huge ratings slide with a ballistic 86% rise and regained first place among the off-net weekly hours with a 4.1. Monk (NBCU) improved 8% to a 2.6; Criminal Minds (CTD) was unchanged at a 2.5; while Without a Trace (WBDTD) slipped 4% to a 2.4.