The three new first-run syndicated weekday shows to premiere this season got off to a slow start Monday, with Twentieth Television’s evening newsmagazine “Geraldo at Large” and daytime courtroom show “Cristina’s Court” performing the best among the debuting competitors.

“Geraldo,” which ran last season in a selected number of markets before going national this season, scored a 2.2 household rating and 4 share in its primary runs in 37 metered markets, according to Nielsen Media Research. “Geraldo” was down 19 percent from its lead-in (2.7/5) but up 5 percent in its year-ago September 2005 average in its time periods (2.1/5).

“Cristina” scored a weighted meter market average 1.3 household rating and 4 share in 52 markets. The courtroom show was even with its lead-in and 8 percent above its year-ago average (1.2/4).

Sony Pictures Television’s new court offering, “Judge Maria Lopez,” scored a 0.9/3 in households in 54 metered markets, a number that was also even with its lead-in. “Maria” was up 13 percent in its year ago time period average (0.8/2).

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution’s “The Dr. Keith Ablow Show” also debuted with a 0.9/3 in 52 metered markets. That was down 18 percent from its lead-in (1.1/4) and down 31 percent from its year-ago time period average (1.3/4).

Due to 9/11 memorial coverage, “Ablow” and “Cristina” were pre-empted in New York.

The two debuting off-network comedies tied in their opening day, with CBS Paramount’s “One on One” and Twentieth’s “Still Standing” both scoring a 0.8 household rating and 2 share. “One,” which aired in 43 metered markets but not in New York, was down 11 percent from its lead-in (0.9/3) and 11 percent from its year-ago time period average (0.9/2).

“Standing” was also down 11 percent from its lead-in (0.9/2) but declined 20 percent from its year-ago time period average (1.0/2).

Among other new first-run strips, Sony’s “The Greg Behrendt Show” premieres Sept. 12, and NBC Universal’s “The Megan Mullally Show” and King World’s “Rachael Ray” debut Sept. 18. Off-network comedies “Scrubs” and “According to Jim” from Buena Vista Television are also scheduled to premiere Sept. 18.