‘Dr. Phil’ Beats Daytime Rivals in Ratings by Biggest November Margin Ever

CBS talk host takes 15th major sweeps period in a row

dr. phil
CBS

November was kind to Dr. Phil McGraw.

The host of the syndicated talk show “Dr. Phil” won the November sweeps period with a 3.6 household rating, according to Nielsen. That was a 44 percent lead over his nearest competitors, “Live with Kelly” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

It was also “Dr. Phil’s” 15th straight win in a major sweeps period and his largest margin of victory ever.

McGraw also made headlines — and generated plenty of criticism — with a program that interviewed 1970s film star Shelley Duvall, who now says she is mentally ill. Detractors found the interview exploitative.

Among game shows, there was a big upset: “Family Feud” overtook the syndicated perennial “Wheel of Fortune,” 6.7 to 6.2.

The top syndicated show was, as usual, “Judge Judy,” which earned a 7.2 sweeps average and was the No. 1 program for the ninth time in the past 11 surveys.

The No. 2 show was “ESPN NFL Regular Season” (7.1).

Among magazine shows, the No. 1 program for the 104th straight sweeps period was “Entertainment Tonight” (3.3), ahead of “Inside Edition” (2.9) and “TMZ” (1.6).

One rookie program of note is “Harry,” the new talk show hosted by Harry Connick Jr. Connick’s show scored a relatively low 1.2, but it still outperformed the top rookie show last season by 33 percent.

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