A mixture of talk and court programming comprise the top tier of offerings in this daypart. JUDGE JUDY (3/12) is #1 in HH’s, posts a pair of 12 shares in key women, is tied for #1 in W25-54 with ROSIE O’DONNELL and places #3 in W18-49. Joining JUDY on the top 10 HH list are three of the seven available court shows, only two of which also score in the top 10 across key females -- JUDGE JOE BROWN (3/9) and DIVORCE COURT (2/7). DIVORCE COURT, the newest entry on the court circuit, is actually the only freshman show to crack into the top 10 period, posting 1-2 share point gains in HH’s and key women from Feb ’99 time period. The other recent addition to the TV bench, JUDGE MATHIS (2/5) didn’t fare quite as well. MATHIS tied for 16^th in HH’s, 14^th in W25-54 and 17^th in W18-49, only managing a share point gain in the aforementioned demos from year ago time period.

As you can see from the chart below, which outlines the returning courts shows’ February ’00 versus February ’99 performances there has only been, on average, marginal movement up or down. Overall, JUDY has exhibited the largest drop-off and in W25-54, JOE has experienced the largest gain. (The time period performance chart can be found at the end of this section.)

Of the veteran talk shows, half are up and half are down from year ago. MAURY (3/9), which ties for #1 in W18-49 (13 share) and for #3 in W25-54 (11 share) is flat to up versus year ago time period and his own year ago performance. Also falling into the plus column is ROSIE (3/7), MONTEL (2/7), DONNY & MARIE (2/6) and QUEEN LATIFAH (2/5). DONNY & MARIE, ranking 10^th in key women, is only up a share point versus Feb ’99 time period. However, with the future of the brother/sister talk duo questioned by some, the show experiences a 50% increase in W18-49 (from an 8 to a 12 share) and a 38% jump in W25-54 (from an 8 to an 11 share) versus their own year ago performance in a nine market sample. Rookie gabber QUEEN LATIFAH, the only freshman talker to make the top half of the HH ranking garners a 1-2 share point increase from Feb ’99 time period in key women and scores 10^th and 11^th place positions in W18-49 and W25-54, respectively.

On the loss side we have REGIS (3/11), who was actually in the win column on traditional affiliated stations, SALLY (2/8), JERRY SPRINGER (3/7), JENNY (2/5) and RICKI (2/5). The hard-hitting SPRINGER, while still a top 10 contender, continues to slide down the share ladder. Versus year ago time period, JERRY is down 18-29% (-2 to –4 shares) in key women. Not only that, but in the markets where the show has remained in the same time slot over the past year, it has posted 4-5 share declines in key women.

On the next page is a chart outlining the performances of returning talk shows in markets where they aired in the same time period as last February. (The time period performance chart can be found at the end of this section).

The only other program outside of the court or talk show realm to make a positive impact is FAMILY FEUD (2/6). The freshman FEUD ties for 12^th in HH’s and 14^th in key women. Though only delivering single digit shares, FEUD’s momentum can be seen in its 75% (+3 shares) boost in W18-49 and its 50% (+2 shares) increase in W25-54.

See the FOX/UPN/WB/INDEPENDENT Rankings

ROSIE (4/13), JUDY (5/12) and Bart SIMPSON (5/9) are the top three HH players in early fringe while ROSIE also takes first place honors in key women. Topping out at a 21 share in W18-49 and W25-54, ROSIE turns in a consistent performance from year ago time period. However, the same story does not hold true when looking at her own year ago performance which posted 4-6 key female share point declines. SALLY (4/7), SPRINGER (3/7) and MONTEL (3/7) are the only other returning talkers to fall into the top 10 and MONTEL is the only one to exhibit any growth. Delivering a pair of 10 shares in key women, MONTEL is up 25% (+2 shares) from Feb ’99 time period and up 11-25% (+1 to +2 shares) versus his own year ago performance. On the opposite end of the spectrum, SALLY and JERRY both took direct hits. In less of a sample (6 markets), SALLY posted 5-7 share point declines in key women from year ago time period and in an even smaller sample of non traditional affiliates and independent stations (4 markets) was down 3-5 shares versus her own Feb ’99 performance. SPRINGER lost 33% or 4-5 shares from Feb ’99 time period and experienced an even larger drop-off of 6-9 shares from those markets which have kept him going in the same time period over the last year. As is evident in the chart below, JENNY (3/5) and RICKI (2/5) didn’t have much better luck this survey.

Let’s take a look at how these talkers fared versus their own year to year performances. (The time period performance chart can be found at the end of this section).

Turning to the courtroom, JUDGE JUDY and JOE BROWN (3/7) are the jurists of choice among key women. JUDY ranks 2^nd in W25-54 (14 share) and 3^rd in W18-49 (13 share) and hers are the only judgements to achieve double-digit shares. JOE BROWN is next in line, ranking 7^th and 11^th in W25-54 and W18-49, respectively. Though flat versus year ago time period, JOE has exhibited 2-3 share point gains versus his own Feb ’99 performance. With Judy’s husband Jerry Sheindlin at the helm, PEOPLE’S COURT (2/7) is a top 10 player in HH’s and W25-54, but falls to #17 in W18-49. Freshman court show DIVORCE COURT (3/6) ties with PEOPLE’S COURT in key women shares and has left Feb ’99 time periods basically level with year ago. JUDGE MATHIS (2/5) does post time period increases among key women, but only moves these shares from a 3 to a 5 in W18-49 and from a 3 to a 6 in W25-54. JUDGE MILLS LANE (1/4) falls to the bottom third of the HH ranking, tying MATHIS for #26 in W18-49 and placing only 28^th in W25-54.

The chart below outlines the returning courts shows’ February ’00 versus February ’99 performances. (The time period performance chart can be found at the end of this section.)

Off-net programs make up about 60% of the early fringe landscape. As a group they are relatively stable, slightly off their mark by 1-2 shares in key women. The prominent performers include THE SIMPSONS, FRIENDS (4/8) and FRASIER (4/8). FRASIER and FRIENDS have slightly boosted year ago time period by 1-2 shares, respectively, in key women. 3^RD ROCK (3/6) and DREW CAREY (3/6) are the top two new sitcom entries, both making it into the top 10 hall of fame in key women.

The following chart takes a look at some of the key returning sitcoms in markets where they aired in February ’00 and February ’99:

The younger set, hands down, votes THE SIMPSONS (#1 in teens and kids) as their top pick. Surprisingly, even though the Tanner kids have all grown up, FULL HOUSE continues to fill up on its kid shares, placing 2^nd in the demo. Other comedies, aside from those mentioned above, grabbing the youth market include HOME IMPROVEMENT, FRESH PRINCE, BOY MEETS WORLD, SISTER, SISTER, WAYANS BROS. and THE PARENT ‘HOOD.

You’ve got to have FRIENDS (6/10) … the numbers are so strong. Achieving an 18 share in W18-49 and a 14 share in W25-54, the gang from Central Perk rank #1 in key women, beating out their closest competitor SEINFELD by 64% (+5 shares) in W18-49 and by 27% (+3 shares) in W25-54. SEINFELD (6/10) takes the lead in key men, remaining status quo from year ago time period, followed by FRIENDS at a close #2. THE SIMPSONS (6/9) is the clear-cut favorite among teens (26 share) and kids (15 share). Other sitcoms making the top 5 cut across key adults are FRASIER (4/8) and HOME IMPROVEMENT (5/7) (except in W25-54). LIVING SINGLE (5/7) achieves a top 5 showing with key women and freshman DREW CAREY (4/6) scores 4^th among key men. 3^RD ROCK FROM THE SUN (3/5) is a top 10 performer in key men, teens and kids, but falls to 12^th in W25-54 with a 6 share and 13^th in W18-49 with a 7 share.

The following diagram charts some of the top returning comedies versus their own year ago performances. All are flat to down. As the oldest sitcom of the bunch, THE SIMPSONS is doing a radical job of pretty much holding its own performance year after year. (The time period performance chart can be found at the end of this section).

The courtroom normally adjourns at 5PM, but in the world of television it continues into access and late fringe. In access, JOE BROWN (6/10) actually surpasses the performance of its judicial competitor JUDGE JUDY (5/9). JOE, in a more limited sample, claims the #2T position in W25-54 and the #3T position in W18-49, garnering 22% increases in both demos (from a 9 to an 11 share). In key men, JOE ties for #7, up 14% from a pair of 7 shares to a pair of 8’s. JUDY, on the other hand is flat to down 1-2 shares across key adults, tying for 9^th in W18-49, 5^th in W25-54, 11^th in M18-49 and 8^th in M25-54. DIVORCE COURT (4/6) makes an access appearance in five occurrences making a top 5 impression with key women. DIVORCE COURT experiences increases across key adults from Feb ’99 time period with its highest boosts (+4 to +5 shares) in key women. Keep in mind, though, that DIVORCE COURT’s shares went from a low 3 to a 7 in W18-49 and a 3 to an 8 in W25-54.

FAMILY FEUD (3/5), the only one of its genre in the daypart, performed reasonably well. Posting a 5 and 6 share in M25-54 (#12) and M18-49 (#11), respectively, FEUD remained flat in these key men from year ago time period. On the flip side, the FEUD game delivered a 20-40% (+1 to +2 shares) increase among key women, going from a 5 to a 7 share in W18-49 (#13) and a 5 to a 6 share in W25-54 (#12). We’ll have to see how the game continues to play itself out.

What syndicated programs do adults watch on broadcast television when they can’t go to sleep? Well according to the late fringe ranking, the top 5 draws, separated by specific demo, looks like the following chart.

Other programs not listed above that also score among the top 10 players include LATIFAH for W18-49, ROSEANNE and COPS across all key adults, JUDY for the older skewing A25-54, MARRIED WITH CHILDREN, NEWSRADIO and ANDY GRIFFITH for the key men.

Of the freshman comedy crop, 3^RD ROCK FROM THE SUN (3/7) and DREW CAREY (3/6), both in a substantial amount of pre-midnight airings, went to the front of the class of 1999. 3^RD ROCK came out slightly ahead of DREW, especially in key men, landing in 9^th and 10^th place in M25-54 and M18-49, respectively.

Stormy relationships always have a juicy late night flavor as is evidenced in the vast number of airings for CHANGE OF HEART (2/6) with 100 occurrences and BLIND DATE (2/6) with 57. Compared to year ago time period, CHANGE OF HEART is slightly off its game across key adults while BLIND DATE experiences a 29% (+2 shares) increase in M & W 18-49. Looking back to Nov ’99, in head-to-head competition, CHANGE OF HEART was the overwhelming ladies choice, while the two relationship shows were in a dead heat in key men. The tables seemed to have turned since then. Not only did viewers return in Feb ’00 for a future rendezvous with BLIND DATE, but the program was able to overtake the 18-49 audience from CHANGE OF HEART by 2-3 share points. Take a look below. (The time period performance chart can be found at the end of this section).

See the Nielsen FOX/UPN/WB/INDEPENDENT LATE FRINGE Rankings