‘Judge Judy’ Passes ‘Oprah’ In Syndie Race

Judge Judy reclaimed the daytime ratings crown from The Oprah Winfrey Show for the first time in nine weeks during the week ending March 13th.

Elsewhere most shows went into reruns and saw their ratings slip in what was the first week following the end of the February sweep. In addition, many telecasts were disrupted by coverage of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami on Friday, March 11.

Oprah, which like many others has been in repeats since the end of the sweep, had its biggest week-to-week and year-to-year declines of any talk show, sliding 21 percent from the week before and from last year to a 3.7 household rating.

Judge Judy held steady at a 4.5, easily topping Winfrey by 1.4 million viewers. Dr Phil was the second highest-rated talker, dipping 3 percent to 2.8. Live With Regis & Kelly inched up 4 percent to a 2.7, while Dr. Oz and Ellen were flat at a 2.3.

Among the court shows following Judge Judy: Judge Joe Brown eased 5 percent from the week before to a 1.9. People’s Court and Judge Mathis were unchanged at 1.9 and 1.6 respectively, while Judge Alex and Divorce Court each dropped 8 percent to 1.2.

In game show action, Wheel of Fortune slipped 3 percent to a 7.3. Jeopardy fell 6 percent to 6.0. And Who Wants to Be a Millionaire tacked on 5 percent to 2.3. Family Feud added 6 percent to a 1.7. And Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? was flat at 0.9.

Entertainment Tonight led the magazine series with a 4.0 despite giving back 5 percent from the prior week. Inside Edition was unchanged at 3.1. And TMZ was up 5 percent to a new season high of 2.2. Access Hollywood held firm at its previous season high of 2.1. The Insider was down 11 percent to a 1.7, tying Extra, which was steady at a 1.7.

Swift Justice With Nancy Grace made it 26 straight weeks as the top newcomer, although it was off 8 percent from the week before to a 1.2.

Nate Berkus sank 10 percent to a 0.9. Don’t Forget the Lyrics gained 17 percent to a 0.7. Judge Karen’s Court was unchanged at a 0.6. And America’s Court tumbled 33 percent to a new series low, 0.2.

Two and a Half Men with Charlie Sheen was the highest-rated sitcom, unchanged from the week before at a 5.9. Family Guy slipped 5 percent to a 3.7. Everybody Loves Raymond rose 4 percent to a 2.6. My Wife and Kids declined 4 percent to a 2.6, and Seinfeld was flat at a 2.6.

Among weekly hours, Criminal Minds lost 6 percent to a 3.0. Law & Order: Criminal Intent faded 7 percent to a 2.7. The Closer and Numb3rs were unchanged at a 2.3, while Bones weakened 16 percent to a 2.1.