"Entertainment Tonight Weekend" recovered by 24% week-to-week, tallying a 3.6 national household rating to lead the category, according to Nielsen. The rating is up 29% over the same week last year.
The second-to-last episode of "Xena: Warrior Princess" came next, earning a 3.2 -- up 10% for the week and 14% year-to-year. Ratings for the two-hour finale that ended the series' six-year run will be available next week.
The weekend off-network run of "ER" moved up 19% to 3.1, third in the weekly genre, while slipping 6% compared to the same week last year.
"Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda" moved up 14% week-to-week to a 2.5 to lead the rookies. "Maximum Exposure" followed, up 18% to 2.0.
The week also was good to most of the rookie weekday shows that are returning this fall and to most veteran gavelers.
Newcomer "Judge Hatchett" was one exception, dipping 6% from the previous week to a series low 1.7.
"Power of Attorney," "Street Smarts" and "To Tell the Truth" all earned a slightly higher 1.8 rating for the week. "Power" and "Street" were up 6% each, while "Truth" climbed 13%.
Among the court shows, genre leader "Judge Judy" edged up 4% to 5.3, followed by "Judge Joe Brown," up 3% to 3.3.
"Divorce Court" moved up 4% to 2.4, and "Judge Mathis" rose 5% to 2.1. "People's Court" was up 6% to 1.9 and "Judge Mills Lane," which is not returning this fall, climbed 8% to 1.3.
In the game category, "Hollywood Squares," which was in repeats, earned a series low 3.0. The show, which premiered in September 1998, is down 6% for the week and 21% for the year.
- Reuters/Variety