‘Judy’ Still Syndie’s Best, ‘Phil’ Is Top Talker

Dr. Phil (CTD) was syndication’s No. 1 talk show for the second straight week as Live with Regis and Kelly (Disney-ABC), which had been second, dropped to third place behind the still-viable Oprah (CTD) in the week ending June 12.

Talk Shows

Phil was up 4% in households from the week before to a 2.7 national rating, and up 17% from last year at this time, the largest year-to-year increase by far of any talk show.

In addition, the new top talker grew 14% among women 18-34 and 10% among women 18-49, despite going into a full week of repeats.

Meanwhile, the down-but-not-out Oprah was up 9% from the prior week to a second-place 2.5, although 31% from last year. Live was unchanged at a 2.4; and in fourth place, Maury added 10% to a 2.2. Dr. Oz (Sony) ticked up 5% to a 2.1, while Ellen sank to a new Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD) low 1.6 after losing 11%.

Court Shows

Judge Judy (CTD) continued to dominate the court shows as well as every other show of every type in syndication. Judy jumped 6% from the week before to a 6.9 in households and 15% among women 25-54, to a 3.1, which matched its best performance of the season in the key demo.

The second-highest-rated courtroom was Judge Joe Brown (CTD), which rose 4% to a 2.6; People’s Court (WBDTD) was flat at a 1.8; Judge Alex (Twentieth) gained 13% to a 1.7; and Divorce Court (Twentieth) picked up 7% to a 1.6.

Magazine Shows

Among magazines, Entertainment Tonight (CTD) was only show to improve from the prior session, advancing 3% to a 3.5 in households and 14% among women 18-49.

Every other strip in the genre held steady week to week as the Anthony Weiner sex scandal did not result in an across-the-board ratings boost for the category. Inside Edition (CTD) remained at a 2.8, followed by TMZ (WBDTD) at a 2.0; Access Hollywood (NBCU) at a 1.8; and The Insider (CTD) and Extra (WBDTD), which each earned a 1.5.

Game Shows

Game shows had a slight recovery after taking a pounding in the previous week. Wheel of Fortune (CTD) inched up 4% from its season low to a 5.9; Jeopardy (CTD), also coming off a season low, edged up 2% to a 2.0; Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) was flat at a 2.3; Who Wants to be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC) grew 5% to a 2.3; and Are You Smarter Than a 5^th Grader? (Twentieth) advanced 10% to a 1.1.

First-Run Freshmen

Swift Justice with Nancy Grace (CTD) was the rookie champ for the 39^th consecutive week, holding firm at a 1.6. Don’t Forget the Lyrics (Twentieth) and Nate Berkus (Sony) tied for second at a 0.9, with Lyrics losing 10% and Berkus climbing 13%. Judge Karen’s Court (Litton) and America’s Court with Judge Ross (Entertainment Studios) were both unchanged at 0.7 and 0.3, respectively.

Off-Net Sitcoms

Among off-net sitcoms, Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) remained at a 5.8; Family Guy (Twentieth) fell 2% 4.4; My Wife and Kids (Disney-ABC) rose 7% to a 3.2; George Lopez Show (WBDTD) tacked on 4% to a 2.8; Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD) dropped 4% to a 2.6; and Seinfeld (Sony) slipped 4% to a 2.5.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBCU) opened up a big lead among off-net weekly hours with a 23% leap to a 4.3. Criminal Minds (CTD) was a distant second with a 3.1, which was up 3%. Monk (NBCU) slipped 7% to a 2.5; The Closer (WBDTD) declined 4% to a 2.4; and Without a Trace (WBDTD) erased 12% of its ratings and landed at a 2.3.