With the start of sweeps, veteran nationally syndicated talk shows are making sudden ratings gains. “Oprah,” “Dr. Phil,” Live With Regis and Kelly,” “Maury,” “Ellen DeGeneres” and “Montel” all managed to spike their numbers for the week ending Nov. 5, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Granted, the prior week, most of the talk shows were flat or down. Talk shows tend to reserve their best content for sweeps, and the new ratings period included the first two days of the November sweeps period. Plus the genre has had a tough season, with veteran shows straining to hold their ground and most new shows struggling.

Among the veterans, King World’s “The Oprah Winfrey Show” was up 12 percent to a season-high 7.7, King World’s “Dr. Phil” was up 6 percent to a season-high 5.3, Buena Vista’s “Live With Regis and Kelly” was up 3 percent to a season-high 3.5, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution’s “Maury” hit a season high with a 2.4, Warner Bros.’ “Ellen DeGeneres” up 11 percent to a 2.1 and CBS Paramount Domestic Television’s “Montel was up 6 percent to a 1.7.

Still, comparing year to year, only “Oprah” showed gains, up 5 percent.

Among the rookies, King World’s “Rachael Ray” still led, holding steady with a 2.0, followed by Warner Bros.’ “Dr. Keith Ablow” (also unchanged with a 1.0). Sony Pictures Television’s “The Greg Behrendt Show” was down 11 percent to a .8. NBC Universal Television’s “The Megan Mullally Show,” which just received an upgrade in Los Angeles moving from noon to 3 p.m., was unchanged at .8.