While syndication ratings were lower for most shows during the week ended Dec. 25 due to the Christmas holiday and post-sweeps reruns, magazine shows managed to buck the trend.
Although "The Insider" was the only mag to improve week to week, every show in the genre was up from last year.
Top magazine "Entertainment Tonight" was up 9% from last year, while No. 2-ranking "Inside Edition" was up 6%.
"The Insider," which gained 4% week to week to 2.8, was also up 12% from last year -- the biggest year-to-year increase of any magazine.
Fourth-ranked "Access Hollywood" was up 4% vs. 2004 while No. 5 "Extra" was up 10%.
"Entertainment Tonight Weekend" was up 24% to a 3.1
Among the firstrun strips, the court shows were especially weak.
"Judge Judy" was down 6% to a 4.7 and down 11% year to year. "Judge Joe Brown" was down 3% to a 3.1 and also down 11% from last year.
"People's Court" was down 7% to a 2.7 but up 4% year to year.
"Divorce Court" was also down 7% to a 2.5 and off 17% from last year.
Newcomer "Judge Alex" fell 4% to a 2.2 tying with "Judge Mathis," which fell 8% to a 2.2, down 8% year to year.
Only four of the 11 daytime yakkers saw ratings increases: "Live With Regis and Kelly," "Maury," "The Montel Williams Show" and "The Tony Danza Show."
"Regis and Kelly" was up 3% to 3.9, tying its season high.
"Maury" was up 4% to a 2.9, "Montel" 10% to a 2.2. "Danza" was up 9% to a 1.2.
Top talker "Oprah" hit a new season low after falling for the fourth straight week, down 7% to a 6.2.
No. 2 yakker "Dr. Phil" also hit a new season low, dropping 6% to a 4.7.
On the other hand, rookie talkers "The Martha Stewart Show" and "The Tyra Banks Show" each held steady at a 1.8 and 1.7, respectively.
Contact Addie Morfoot at
news@variety.com