• by Wayne Friedman , December 27, 2017

A handful of established U.S. syndication shows have eked out some gains for the season so far.

CBS Television Distribution industry-leading “Judge Judy” is up 1% on a season-to-date basis to a Nielsen 9.98 million total viewers from September 4 through December 3.

Three big game shows were more or less equal to their results a year ago. Twentieth Television’s “Family Feud” is down 3% to 9.57 million, while CBS’ “Wheel of Fortune” slipped 1% to 9.53 million. CBS’ “Jeopardy,”  the fourth-biggest show in terms of overall viewers, gained 6% to 9.4 million.

Entertainment magazine shows recorded up-and-down results: CBS’ “Entertainment Tonight” lost 5% so far to average 4.45 million, while CBS’ “Inside Edition” improved 5% to 4.3 million. Warner Bros. “TMZ” is off 8% to 1.98 million. NBCUniversal’s “Access” lost 10% to 1.90 million.

One the better improving shows is another magazine effort: Sony Pictures Television's “Right This Minute,” up 30% to 1.95 million.

The big sitcoms all lost ground: Warner Bros. “Big Bang Theory” was down 8% to 7.47 million; Twentieth’s “Modern Family” dipped 14% to 3.66 million; and Warner Bros.’ Two and Half Men” was 15% lower to 2.86 million.

Major syndication talk show went the same direction -- except for CBS’ “Dr. Phil,” which is flat at 4.6 million. Warner Bros. “Ellen DeGeneres” lost a bit -- 2% -- to 3.17 million; Disney-ABC Domestic Television’s “Live with Kelly & Ryan” was down 7% to 3.07 million; ABC’s “The View” slipped 1% to 2.83 million; and CBS’ “The Talk” was off 7% to 2.50 million.

First-year show NBC’s “Megyn Kelly Today” is at 2.35 million. Second-year NBC talk show “Harry” dropped 28% to 1.18 million.

Some improving shows: CBS’ other court show “Hot Bench” was up 2% to 3.27 million. Disney’s “Millionaire” gained 7% to 2.31 million, and Warner Bros. “People’s Court” inched up 1% to 2.26 million.