Kardashian Split Boosts Magazine Shows

The first full week of the November sweep was a good one for the syndicated magazines thanks to Kim Kardashian, who filed for divorce on Oct. 31 from husband Kris Humphries after a 72-day marriage. Every news mag was up or steady week to week, and several shows improved by double digits with coverage of Kardashian’s quick divorce after a fairy tale wedding that was watched by more than 4 million people.

Magazine Shows

Extra (WBDTD) had the largest increase from the week before of any access strip with a 20% surge to a new season high 1.8 in households, and a 33% leap among women 25-54. Mag leader Entertainment Tonight (CTD) matched its highest ratings of the season, jumping 3% to a 3.9 after a 13% advance to a 4.3 on Monday, the day the divorce news broke.

Inside Edition (CTD) rebounded 7% from its season low in the prior session to a 3.1. Access Hollywood (NBCU) spiked 11% to a new season high 2.1; TMZ (WBDTD) tacked on 17% to a new season high 2.1; while the The Insider (CTD) held steady at its previous season high 1.7.

Talk Shows

Among talk shows, Dr. Phil (CTD) was No. 1 for the seventh time in eight weeks, including one tie, growing 7% to a 3.1 and equaling its highest ratings since its premiere week this season.

Live with Regis and Kelly (Disney-ABC) rose 7% to a new season high 2.9 in Regis’ second-from-last week. Dr. Oz (Sony) finished third with a flat 2.8, while Maury (NBCU) and Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD) were both up 4% to a new season high 2.4.

Freshmen Shows

In its 16 metered markets, slow rollout Access Hollywood Live (NBCU) gained 13% from the week before to a 0.9 rating/3 share household average, while leaping 40% in the women 25-54 demo.

Anderson (WBDTD), the highest-rated newcomer in first run, matched its best ratings of the season, climbing 8% to a 1.4 in households, and growing 13% among women 25-54.

We the People with Gloria Allred (Entertainment Studios) sank 17% to a 0.5, while Jeremy Kyle (Debmar-Mercury) was unchanged at a 0.5; Excused (CTD), a new dating show in latenight, held steady at its season high 0.7.

Freshman off-net sitcom Big Bang Theory (WBDTD) advanced 12% from the week before to a new season high 5.7, thanks in large measure to its multiple runs on TBS cable.

30 Rock (NBCU), which airs in mostly lower-rated late fringe time periods, dipped 7% to a 1.3, tying It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Twentieth), which was up 8% to a new season high 1.3; while Till Death (Sony) fell 14% to a 0.6.

Off-Net Sitcoms

Among the veteran off-net sitcoms, leader Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) picked up 5% to a 6.2; Family Guy (Twentieth) lost 8% to a 3.6; How I Met Your Mother (Twentieth) slipped 3% to a 3.3; Seinfeld (Sony) declined 4% to a 2.4; while Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD) remained at a 2.4.

Court Shows

In court, Judge Judy (CTD) gave back 4% to a 6.8 after hitting a season high in the prior frame. Judge Joe Brown (CTD) and People’s Court (WBDTD) were unchanged at 2.8 and 2.0, respectively; Judge Mathis (WBDTD) dropped 6% to a 1.6; while Judge Alex (Twentieth) was unchanged at a 1.6.

Game Shows

Among games, Wheel of Fortune (CTD) inched up 4% to a new season high 7.3; Jeopardy (CTD) upticked 3% to a new season high 6.1; while Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC) were both flat at 3.0 and 2.6, respectively.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

Law & Order (NBCU) sank 9% to a 3.0 and fell into a tie for first place among the off-net weekly hours with Criminal Minds (CTD), which finished 3% ahead of the previous week at a 3.0. Monk (NBCU) moved up 4% to a 2.5; Without a Trace (WBDTD) settled for a 2.3 after erasing 12% of its ratings; while The Closer (WBDTD) climbed 10% to a 2.3.