After recent dips in its ratings, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” has rebounded, increasing its syndie take week-to-week more than any other talker in the most recently concluded weekly national ratings race.
“Oprah” was up 22% to a 6.2 national household rating for the week ending Aug. 13, according to Nielsen.
“The Jerry Springer Show” followed, returning to second place in the category with a 4.0, down 2% from the previous week.
“Live! With Regis” followed in the talk category, slipping 7% to 3.9, but still tracking higher than it did earlier in the season while Kathie Lee Gifford was still with the show.
‘Maury,’ ‘Sally’ middle
“Maury” was next, up 3% to 3.8, followed by “Sally Jessy Raphael,” which held steady at 3.1.
“The Montel Williams Show” was sixth, down 6% to 3.0, and “Jenny Jones” and “Ricki Lake” followed in a tie at 2.7. Both “Jenny” and “Ricki” were even with the previous week.
“Rosie O’Donnell” placed ninth for the fourth consecutive week, moving down 4% to a new series low of 2.4.
Daytime skein “Martha Stewart Living” was even at 1.6, and “Queen Latifah” was up 8% to 1.3.
Elsewhere in syndication, the court shows were largely steady, with none of their ratings perfs moving more than 4% from the previous week.
Most improved
By moving up 18% to 3.9, “The X-Files” posted the largest week-to-week improvement and highest rating among the weekly hours.
“Entertainment Tonight’s” weekend edition and action hour “Xena: Warrior Princess” led the firstrun hours. Both shows were even with the previous week to tie at 2.7.
In the off-net sitcom category, the race between the top two newcomers this season, “Drew Carey” and “3rd Rock From the Sun,” got closer than ever. “Drew” was down 13% to 3.3, just a tenth of a point ahead of “3rd Rock,” which was down 6% to 3.2.
