Talkers Blare in Sweeps

  • by May 24, 2001
After a weeks-long slump, ratings for syndication's talk category perked up during the second full week of the May ratings sweep.

The top eight yakkers all posted week-to-week improvement for the week ending May 13.

"The Oprah Winfrey Show" led the genre, moving up 2% week-to-week to a 5.9 household rating, according to Nielsen. The score, however, is down 8% compared with last year.

"Live! With Regis & Kelly" was next, up 6% to 3.8. It was one of two veteran yakkers to move up year-to-year, doing so by 3%. "Montel Williams," which is fifth in the category, was the other to improve over 2000.

"Jerry Springer" was the third-highest rated talker, moving up 6% week-to-week to 3.6, which is even with last year.

"Maury" was up 6% to 3.4, but down 8% year-to-year. "Montel" gained 3% over both the previous week and previous year to 3.0. "Rosie O'Donnell" improved 7% for the week to 3.0, down 21% for the year. "Ricki Lake" was up 5% to 2.3, but down 4% from last year. "Sally" recovered some from a multiyear low the week before, improving 21% over the previous week to 2.3, which is down 23% for the year.

"Jenny Jones" (2.0), "Martha Stewart Living" (1.4) and "Queen Latifah" (1.2) were all flat week-to-week. Year-to-year, "Jenny" was down 13%, "Martha" was down 7% and "Latifah" was flat.

Among the game shows, genre leaders "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" both edged up 1% for the week, to 9.1 and 7.8 respectively. "Wheel" is down 8% for the year, and "Jeopardy" is down 5%.

"Hollywood Squares" was up 6% for the week to 3.3, but down 23% year-to-year. "Family Feud" dipped 4% for the week to 2.4, but its performance marked a 9% increase over the same week during the show's rookie season last year.

The relationship series battle will get a little more crowded this fall, with such contenders as "Elimidate," "Fifth Wheel" and "Rendez-View" poised to enter the fray. But for now, the category's two main suitors are at relative peace.

"Blind Date" dipped 5% for the week to a 2.0, which is up 5% over its rookie season. Third-year "Change of Heart" (1.8) was even week-to-week and down 5% from last year.

- Reuters/Variety

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