• Broadcasting & Cable, Wednesday, December 20, 2006 11:15 AM

Syndicated talk shows took a big beating for the week ended Dec. 10, with almost all slumping in double digits. Indeed, only two of 13 shows, which were mostly in reruns, even managed to keep the declines small.

"Dr. Phil" and "Ellen," with the latter touching a season high for the second consecutive week, was still off 8% from last year. It was the first time since the week of Sept. 11 that "Ellen," which has has been hit by weaker lead-ins and head-to-head competition with "Oprah" in some large markets, finished in fourth place ahead of "Maury," the latter being unchanged for the week, but down 18% from a year ago.

The only other talk show to improve was "Jerry Springer," up 6% to 1.7 from 1.6, but still down 19% year over year. Among other top talkers, No. 1 Oprah dropped 10%, while "Live with Regis & Kelly" fell the same amount.

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