‘Judy’ Still Syndie’s No. 1, While 3 Talkers Tie

Dr. Phil (CTD) clocked a double-digit ratings rally and returned to the share the top slot among talk shows in a three-way tie with Live with Regis and Kelly (Disney-ABC) and Maury (NBCU) in the latest national syndication rankings. This marks the fifth week in the last seven that Phil has been the No. 1 talker or tied for No. 1. It also marked the third straight week the Maury has been in the No. 1 slot.

Talk Shows

For the week ending July 17, Phil, Live and Maury all scored a 2.3 which was good enough to lead the yak pack. Phil, although mostly in repeats, rose 10% from the week before and 21% from last year at this time, the largest year-t0-year improvement of any talk show.

Live was unchanged week to week and year to year at the 2.3; and Maury was flat week to week, although it was up 10% from last year.

Former talk leader Oprah (CTD) picked up 5% to a fourth-place 2.2; Dr. Oz (Sony) remained at a 1.9; Rachael Ray (CTD) improved 8% to a 1.4, landing in a four-way tie with The Doctors (CTD), Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD) and Jerry Springer (NBCU) — The Doctors and Springer held steady, while Ellen fell 7%.

Court Shows

The top show overall in syndication, Judge Judy (CTD), grew 2% from the week before and 49% from last year to a 6.4. Judge Joe Brown (CTD) was the No. 2 courtroom, holding firm at a 2.6; People’s Court (WBDTD) added 5% to a 2.0; Judge Mathis (WBDTD) was flat at a 1.6; while Judge Alex (Twentieth) and Divorce Court (Twentieth) both tumbled 19% to a 1.3.

Magazine Shows

Among magazines, top-rated Entertainment Tonight (CTD) spurted 9% to a 3.5, its strongest showing in six weeks. Coverage of former First Lady Betty Ford’s funeral on July 12 sent ET’s Nielsens up 19% from the week before to a 3.8.

Inside Edition (CTD) and TMZ (WBDTD) were unchanged at 2.8 and 1.8, respectively. Access Hollywood (NBCU) jumped 6% in households to a 1.7 and saw double-digit gains in every key female demo. Extra (WBDTD) climbed 7% in households to a 1.5 and 20% among women 18-34; while The Insider (CTD) gave back 7% to a 1.4.

Game Shows

Wheel of Fortune (CTD) remained the game show leader, gaining 7% to a 6.3. Jeopardy (CTD) tacked on 10% to a 5.3; Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) was flat at a 2.7; Who Wants to be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC) slipped 4% to a 2.2; and Are You Smarter Than a 5^th Grader? (Twentieth) was unchanged at a 1.1.

First-Run Freshmen

Swift Justice with Nancy Grace (CTD) continued to pace the newcomers despite being off 12% to a 1.5. Don’t Forget the Lyrics (Twentieth) remained steady at a 0.9. Nate Berkus (Sony) sank 11% to a 0.8; Judge Karen’s Court (Litton) eroded 13% to a 0.7; and America’s Court with Judge Ross (Entertainment Studios) was unchanged at a 0.4.

Father Albert (Debmar-Mercury), a new talk show, which is having a five-week summer test run, averaged 0.7 rating/2 share in the metered markets for its first two weeks. This was unchanged from its year-ago time period average and down 30% from its lead-in.

Dish Nation (Twentieth), an entertainment news program, which is getting a six-week tryout, debuted on Monday (July 25) with 1.0/2 metered market average. This was down 23% from both its lead-in and year-ago time period averages.

Off-Net Sitcoms

Off-net sitcoms were mostly higher. Leader Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) inched up 2% from the week before to a 5.8. Family Guy (Twentieth) ticked up 2% to a 4.4; My Wife and Kids (Disney-ABC) finished 3% ahead at a 3.3; George Lopez Show (WBDTD), Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD) and Seinfeld (Sony) all advanced 8% to 2.8, 2.7 and 2.7, respectively.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

Among the off-net weekly hours, Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBCU) surged 28% to a 3.7 and broke a first-place with Criminal Minds (CTD), which was up 3% to a 3.0. Without a Trace (WBDTD) improved 4% to a new season high 2.7; Monk (NBCU) declined 4% to a 2.3, while Bones (Twentieth) strengthened 5% to a 2.1.