Syndication Ratings: Dr. Phil Narrows Gap with Oprah

The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet Remains Top Daytime Rookie Talker

By Paige Albiniak -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/5/2007 3:34:00 PM

CBS’ Dr. Phil had strong ratings to be thankful for in the week ending Nov. 25, which included Thanksgiving. The doctor hit a 5.5 live plus same day national household rating, according to Nielsen Media Research, up 10% from the prior week. That’s the show’s season high and its highest mark in 40 weeks.

Meanwhile, CBS’ The Oprah Winfrey Show fell 14% to a 5.7, which was still good enough for first place. Oprah’s rating was counted by Nielsen Media Research Thursday, Nov. 22, Thanksgiving Day –- a day when most viewers are watching football and other holiday programming -- while Dr. Phil’s was not.

Three other talk shows besides Dr. Phil also hit new season highs. CBS’ Rachael Ray earned a 2.1, her best number in 30 weeks and up 5% from the prior week. Rachael Ray’s highest-rated episode of the week came from an appearance by Oprah’s trainer, Bob Greene, who made healthy Thanksgiving recipes Nov. 19. NBC Universal’s Martha Stewart climbed 9% to a 1.2, the show’s highest rating in 28 weeks. A Nov. 19 performance by the band Boyz II Men boosted that day’s rating 18%. Finally, Warner Bros.’ Tyra Banks also scored a new season high, jumping 9% to a 1.2, the show’s best performance since last July. Tyra got her lift from a Nov. 21 show featuring singer and actress Beyoncé Knowles.

Disney-ABC’s Live with Regis and Kelly jumped 7% to a 3.2. Warner Bros.’ Ellen DeGeneres remained at its season-high 2.2. NBCU’s Maury dropped 10% to a 1.9. CBS’ Montel Williams and NBCU’s Jerry Springer each were unchanged at a 1.6 and 1.3, respectively.

Twentieth’s The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet remained the top daytime rookie talker for a second week, holding steady at a 1.0, the show’s series high. That tied Sony’s rookie court show, Judge David Young, which jumped 11% to a new season high of 1.0. Warner Bros.’ access magazine, TMZ, remains the top overall rookie, although this week it fell 15% to a 1.7. NBC Universal’s The Steve Wilkos Show and Program Partners’ Merv Griffin’s Crosswords tied at a 0.9. Wilkos was unchanged, while Crosswords jumped 13%. Twentieth’s Temptation was flat at a 0.5, and Radar Entertainment’s Jury Duty was unchanged at a 0.2, tying Acme’s The Daily Buzz, also at a 0.2.

Most of the veteran court shows were down or flat. CBS’ Judge Judy dropped 2% to a 4.9. CBS’ Judge Joe Brown was down 4% to a 2.7. Warner Bros.’ People’s Court, Warner Bros.’ Judge Mathis and Twentieth’s Judge Alex all were unchanged at a 2.5, 2.2 and 1.9, respectively. Twentieth’s Divorce Court fell 10% to a 1.8. Sony’s Judge Hatchett dropped 7% to a 1.4. Twentieth’s Cristina’s Court, the only show in the genre to climb, was up 8% to a 1.3. Judge Maria Lopez down 10% to a 0.9.

Most of the off-net sitcoms were lower for the week. However, Sony’s Seinfeld was up 3% to a 4.0, a new season high for the fourth place show. Warner Bros.’ rookie, Two and a Half Men, dropped 9% to 4.3, tying CBS’ Everybody Loves Raymond, which fell 4%, to hold on to first place. Twentieth’s Family Guy was third at a 4.1, dropping 9%. Sony’s King of Queens and Warner Bros.’ Friends tied for fifth at a 2.8, with King down 7% and Friends down 3%. Warner Bros.’ George Lopez was down 11% to a 2.5.

The games were mixed. CBS’ Wheel of Fortune fell 2% to an 8.0. CBS’ Jeopardy! was unchanged at a 6.7. Disney-ABC’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire climbed 3% to a 3.0. Debmar-Mercury’s Family Feud dropped 5% to a 1.8.

Among the magazines, CBS’ Entertainment Tonight remained No. 1 at a 5.1, down 2%. CBS’ Inside Edition and CBS’ The Insider each were unchanged at a 3.6 and 2.5, respectively. NBCU’s Access Hollywood was down 4% to a 2.5, tying The Insider for third place. Warner Bros.’ Extra slipped 6% to a 1.7, tying TMZ.