Most Syndies Hit With Post-Sweep Malaise

As usual, the first week after the February sweep ended brought lower ratings for most of first-run syndication as promotion tailed off and many shows went into reruns. However, the top off-net sitcom Big bucked the trend in the week ending March 11.

Off-Net Sitcoms

Big Bang Theory (WBDTD), a newcomer, topped the syndication chart with a 6% rebound to a 7.4 following an off week in the previous session. Veteran Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) edged ahead 2% to a 5.9; Family Guy (Twentieth) was flat at a 4.5; How I Met Your Mother (Twentieth) declined 9% to a 2.9; while Seinfeld (Sony) slowed 4% to a 2.5.

Among the rookie sitcoms, 30 Rock (NBCU) was steady at a 1.4 in mostly latenight spots; It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Twentieth) drooped 8% to a 1.1; and Till Death (Sony) was unchanged at a 0.6.

Talk Shows

In first run, Dr. Phil (CTD) was the No. 1 talk show for the 20^th time this season, despite dipping 9% from the last week of the sweep to a 2.9.

Dr. Oz (Sony) tumbled 10% to a 2.7; Live with Kelly (Disney-ABC) lost 4% to a 2.6; Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD) eroded 8% to a 2.4 ; while Maury (NBCU) was flat at a 2.4.

First-Run Freshmen

Among the freshmen, leader Anderson (WBDTD) eased 7% to a 1.4. Jeremy Kyle (Debmar-Mercury) crumbled 14% to a 0.6; We the People with Gloria Allred (Entertainment Studios) retreated 20% to a 0.4; and new dating show Excused (CTD) off 14% to a 0.6.

Court Shows

Judge Judy (CTD) continued to rule the courtrooms with a 7.1, which was down 4% from the prior fame, although up 58% from last year at this time.

Judge Joe Brown (CTD) slipped 11% to a 2.5; People’s Court (WBDTD) dropped 5% to a 2.1; Judge Alex (Twentieth) receded 6% to a 1.7; while Judge Mathis (WBDTD) softened 6% to a 1.5.

Magazine Shows

The magazines collectively caught their breath after setting a torrid pace in the sweep. Entertainment Tonight (CTD) continued to show the way with a 3.9, which was down 7% from the last week in the rating period.

Inside Edition (CTD) sank 6% to a 3.1; TMZ (WBDTD) was flat at a 2.1; Access Hollywood (NBCU) ticked down 5% to a 2.0; The Insider (CTD) fell 6% to a 1.7; and Extra (WBDTD) gave back 6% to a 1.6.

Game Shows

In game show action, Wheel of Fortune (CTD) skidded 3% from the week before to a 7.1; Jeopardy (CTD) weakened 2% to a 6.0; Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) shrank 6% to a 2.9; and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC) devalued 7% to a 2.5.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

Among the off-net weekly hours, Law & Order (NBCU) jumped 16% to a 2.9 and finished in a dead heat with usual leader Criminal Minds (CTD), which stumbled 9% to a 2.9.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBCU) gained 8% to a third-place 2.7; Cold Case (WBDTD) was on fire, heating up 37% to a 2.6; Without a Trace (WBDTD) was marked up 5% to a 2.3, tying Monk (NBCU) and The Closer (WBDTD), both of which were unchanged at a 2.3.