‘Judy’ Takes Syndie’s May Sweeps Crown

Judge Judy (CTD) was the standout in the May sweeps (April 28-May 25), scoring its highest May Nielsens in 12 years — a 6.7 average rating — and outperforming every other strip of every other type in syndication.

Compared to last May, Judy was up a whopping 49% and her audience grew by nearly 3 million viewers per episode. It was Judy’s biggest May rating since May 1999.

Court Shows

Among the other court shows, ratings for Judge Joe Brown (CTD) surged 29% from last year to a 2.7; People’s Court (WBDTD) was down 10 to a 1.8 average; Judge Alex (Twentieth) added 21% to a 1.7; Divorce Court (Twentieth) rose 14% to a 1.6; Judge Mathis (WBDTD) faded 12% to a 1.5; and Judge Jeanine Piero (WBDTD) tumbled 27% to a last-place 0.8.

Talk Shows

Among talk shows, the final sweep number for Oprah (CTD) was a 6.0, landing it in fourth place among all syndicated strips. Her highly promoted farewell episode on May 25 hit an 11.5 single-day rating (16.4 million viewers) and was broken out as a special program by Nielsen.

After Oprah, the highest-rated talker was Dr. Phil (CTD), which jumped 11% from last year to a 3.1 average, its strongest May sweep since 2008. Sweep averages for the other yakkers were tightly bunched. Live with Regis and Kelly (Disney-ABC) fell 4% to a 2.4, followed closely by Maury (NBCU), which advanced 10% to a 2.3. Right behind was Dr. Oz (Sony), which eroded 8% to a 2.2, and Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD), which sank 17% to a 2.0.

First-Run Freshmen

Swift Justice with Nancy Grace (CTD) easily won the rookie contest with almost double the rating of any other first-run newcomer. Justice jumped 21% from its September premiere to a 1.7 average. Nate Berkus (Sony) was a distant second, sliding 10% from its debut to a 0.9. Don’t Forget the Lyrics (Twentieth) was down 11% to a 0.8 and landed in a tie with Judge Karen’s Court (Litton), which was up 33% to a 0.8; while America’s Court with Judge Ross (Entertainment Studios) declined 25% to a 0.3.

In the metered markets, slow rollout Access Hollywood Live (NBCU) averaged a 1.0 rating/4 share for the sweep, which was up 25% from its year-ago time periods. The show also increased 100% among women 18-49 and 75% among women 25-54.

Magazine Shows

Entertainment Tonight (CTD) had no trouble capturing the magazine race for the 83^rd consecutive sweep, dating back more than 20 years. ET averaged a 4.0, which equaled its May 2010 delivery and beat its closest rival, Inside Edition (CTD), by 33%. Edition inched up 3% from last May to a 3.0; TMZ (WBDTD) tacked on 5% to a 2.1; Access Hollywood (NBCU) grew 5% to a 2.0 nationally, while jumping 29% in New York and 38% in Los Angeles. The Insider (CTD) clocked its highest May sweep numbers in three years, climbing 6% to a 1.8; Extra (WBDTD), which was heavily preempted by storm coverage and news reports on the death of Osama bin Laden, nevertheless matched its May 2010 performance with a 1.7, while Extra Weekend spiked 11% to a 1.0.

Game Shows

Game shows were led by Wheel of Fortune (CTD), which ticked up 3% to a 6.5 sweep average. Jeopardy (CTD) was flat at a 5.5; Who Wants to be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC) picked up 9% to a 2.4; Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) ballooned 53% to a 2.3; while Are You Smarter Than a 5^th Grader? (Twentieth) dropped 15% to a 1.1.

Off-Net Sitcoms

Off-net sitcoms were all over the map. Leader Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) rose 41% to a 6.5 average. Family Guy (Twentieth) also surged 41% to a 4.5; My Wife and Kids (Disney-ABC) rocketed 233% to a 3.0; and George Lopez Show (WBDTD) gained 4% to a 2.8.

On the down side, Seinfeld (Sony) skidded 4% to a 2.6; Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD) retreated 14% to a 2.5; and The Office (NBCU) lost 11% to a 2.5.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

Off-net weekly hours were all up from last May. Leader Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBCU) shot up 60% to a 4.0; Criminal Minds (CTD) increased 7% to a 3.1; Bones (Twentieth) strengthened 14% to a 2.4; The Closer (WBDTD) and Numbers (CTD) each added 15% to 2.3; while Monk (NBCU) jumped 53% to a 2.3.