‘Judy’ Shines In Mostly Lackluster Week

The week ending Feb. 26 was a quiet one for most syndicated shows as milder weather in the Northeast and other parts of the country lured many viewers outside and away from their sets.

Court Shows

A bright spot in daytime was Judge Judy (CTD), which regained the lead among all first-run shows, topping Wheel of Fortune (CTD) for the first time this year. The verdict on Judy was a 7.4, up 1% from the week before and up 61% from this time last year. Judy also tied top-rated off-net sitcom Big Bang Theory (WBDTD) for first place overall on the syndication chart.

Following Judy, most other courtrooms were down or flat. Judge Joe Brown (CTD) slipped 6% to a 2.9; People’s Court (WBDTD) lost 4% to a 2.3; while Judge Alex (Twentieth) and Judge Mathis (WBDTD) were unchanged at 1.9 and 1.7, respectively.

Talk Shows

Dr. Phil (CTD) was the No. 1 talk show for the 18^th time this season, despite dipping 6% to a 3.2. Dr. Oz (Sony) was flat at a 3.0; Live with Kelly (Disney-ABC) edged up 4% to a 2.8; Maury (NBCU) tacked on 4% to a 2.6; Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD) eroded 4% to a 2.5; while The Doctors (CTD) remained at its season high 1.8.

In the metered markets, slow rollout Access Hollywood Live (NBCU) improved 22% in households from last February to a 1.1 rating/4 share and climbed 33% among women 25-54 in the third week of the sweep.

First-Run Freshmen

Among the nationally rated rookies, Anderson (WBDTD) eased 7% to a 1.4 but was still far in front of the field. Jeremy Kyle (Debmar-Mercury) was unchanged at a 0.7, while We the People with Gloria Allred (Entertainment Studios) tumbled 20% to a 0.4.

New dating show Excused (CTD) held steady at a 0.7 in mostly late fringe time periods.

Magazine Shows

Magazines were all down from their season highs set the week before with coverage of the Whitney Houston story and the Grammy awards.

Leader Entertainment Tonight (CTD) backtracked 9% to a 4.1; Inside Edition (CTD) dropped 6% to a 3.3; TMZ (WBDTD) fell 5% to a 2.1; Access Hollywood (NBCU) was down 13% to a 2.0; The Insider (CTD) dipped 5% to a 1.9; and Extra (WBDTD) was off 6% to a 1.7.

Game Shows

Among games, Wheel of Fortune declined 1% to a 7.3; Jeopardy (CTD) sank 3% to a 6.2; Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) edged up 3% to a new season high 3.3; and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC) was flat at a 2.7.

Off-Net Sitcoms

Big Bang Theory (WBDTD) continued to lead the off-net sitcoms, picking up 1% from the week before to a 7,4. Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) added 2% to a 6.4; Family Guy (Twentieth) was unchanged at a 4.5; How I Met Your Mother (Twentieth) rose 13% to a 3.4; Seinfeld (Sony) gained 4% to 2.7; and Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD) rallied 4% to a 2.4.

Among newcomers, 30 Rock (NBCU) eased 7% to a 1.3 in latenight; It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Twentieth) added 8% to a 1.3; and Till Death (Sony) declined 14% to a 0.6.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

Criminal Minds (CTD) topped the off-net weekly hours but slumped 6% to a 3.1; Monk (NBCU) advanced 4% to a 2.7; Law & Order (NBCU) climbed 4% to a 2.6; Without a Trace (WBDTD) faded 4% to a 2.4; while Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBCU) jumped 14% to a 2.4.