‘Dr. Phil’ Benefits From ‘Octomom’s’ Fame

By Andrew Krukowski

“Dr. Phil” grabbed ratings success with its two-part interview with “octomom” Nadya Suleman during the week ending March 1.

During a tepid week in syndication ratings, “Phil,” distributed by CBS Television Distribution, gained 14% from the previous week to a 4.1 household rating.

The two-part interview boosted week-to-week ratings 31% to a 4.7 on Feb. 25 and 42% to a 5.1 on Feb. 26.

Leading the talk show pack was CBS’ “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which gained 22% to a 5.6 household rating, bolstered by a post-Oscar episode filmed live at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

The rest of the talk show field didn’t fare as well as “Oprah” and “Phil,” with the remaining shows either declining slightly or holding steady from last week.

Disney-ABC Domestic Television’s “Live With Regis and Kelly” dropped 11% to a season-low 2.4, while NBC Universal Television Distribution’s “Maury” dipped the most week-to-week, 16%, to a 1.6.

The Oscars also helped give ballast to the entertainment newsmagazine programs during a week of preemptions due to President Obama’s Feb. 24 address to the joint houses of Congress.

CBS’ “Entertainment Tonight” jumped 2% to a 4.6 rating, while NBC Universal’s “Access Hollywood” rose 5% to a 2.1 rating.

The rest of the genre dipped slightly, although CBS’ “The Insider” held steady at a 2.0 rating.

Among game shows, Debmar-Mercury’s “Family Feud” stumbled the most, declining 13% to a 1.4. Disney-ABC’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” held steady at its season-low 2.4 rating, while CBS’ “Wheel of Fortune” (7.5) and “Jeopardy!” (6.2) slipped slightly, off 1% and 2%, respectively.

In court shows, the field was sluggish, with no gainers. Genre leader CBS’ “Judge Judy” slipped 2% to a 4.5, followed by “Judge Joe Brown,” which was off 8% to a 2.2.

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution’s “The People’s Court” landed at a season-low 1.8 household rating, off 10%.

In the first-year group, Warner Bros. “The Bonnie Hunt Show” grew 11% to a 1.0, while CBS’ “The Doctors” continued to hold strong atop the pack at a 1.9.