CBS Television Distribution's The Doctors was on fire in week three of the sweep, scoring the biggest improvement of any strip in first-run syndication, a 12% jump to a new series high 1.9, that was triple the gain of any other talk show.

And, for the first time, the new medical-themed series tied NBCU's Deal or No Deal as the highest rated rookie strip in the week ending Nov. 23, notching its third new season high in a row and growing 27% over the three-week span.

In the most recent week, an episode on embarrassing medical problems sent ratings up 24% to a 2.1 on Nov. 17.

Deal held steady at a 1.9, although it peaked at a 2.0 on Nov. 17.

Further back in the freshman pack, Sony's Judge Karen, Warner Bros.' Bonnie Hunt, Debmar-Mercury's Trivial Pursuit: America Plays and Program Partners' Family Court with Judge Penny were all flat at 1.1, 0.9, 0.6 and 0.6, respectively.

On the weekly front, new action hour Disney-ABC's Legend of the Seeker climbed 5% to a 2.2 and drew more than 3 million viewers.

Most veteran strips were down or flat in daytime as PUT levels fell by nearly 2 million viewers from the week before.

Talk Shows

In talk, the only shows moving up were CBS Television Distribution's Oprah, which inched up 4% to 5.8; CBS Television Distribution's Dr. Phil, which rose 3% to a 3.6, matching its season high after a show on a couple who made nearly $1 million by shoplifting lifted ratings by 11% to a 3.9 on Nov. 19; and Warner Bros.' Ellen DeGeneres, which added 4% week to week and 9% year to year to a 2.4, also matching its previous season high.

Ellen's best ratings, a 13% jump to a 2.6 came Nov. 21 for a show featuring appearances by John Travolta and Robert Pattinson of the hit film Twilight.

Disney-ABC's Live with Regis and Kelly was flat at a 2.7 in third place, but only three-tenths of a point ahead of Ellen.

CBS Television Distribution's Rachael Ray held firm at its season high 1.9, while NBCU's Maury slipped 5% to a 1.8.

CBS Television Distribution's Judge Judy topped the courts with a 4.5, holding a 96% ratings advantage over anything else in the field, despite dipping 4% from the prior week.

CBS Television Distribution's Judge Joe Brown was off 4% to a 2.3; Warner Bros.' People's Court slipped 5% to 2.1; Warner Bros.' Judge Mathis was flat at a 1.9; and Twentieth's Judge Alex sagged 6% to a 1.6.

Magazine Shows

Among magazines, CBS Television Distribution's The Insider and its Inside Edition were the only shows to hit new season highs. Insider gained 5% in households to a 2.0 and 14% in women 18-34, while Inside Edition upticked 3% to a 3.1.

Top-rated CBS Television Distribution's Entertainment Tonight dipped 2% to 4.5, but still held a commanding 45% lead over its nearest rival.

Warner Bros.' third-place TMZ was up 5% to a 2.1; NBCU's Access Hollywood was right behind at an unchanged 2.0, tying Insider; and Warner Bros.' Extra advanced 6% to a 1.8.

Game Shows

CBS Television Distribution's Wheel of Fortune led the games, but was down 1% to a 7.7; CBS Television Distribution's Jeopardy! lost 2% to a 6.1; Disney-ABC's Who Wants to be a Millionaire was up 4% to a 2.6; while Debmar-Mercury's Family Feud was flat at a 1.5.

Off-Net

Among off-net sitcoms, Warner Bros.' Two and a Half Men was up 2% to a season high 5.5; Twentieth's Family Guy fell 2% to a 4.3; Sony's Seinfeld slipped 5% to a 3.6; and CBS Television Distribution's Everybody Loves Raymond rose 6% to a season high 3.4.

Weekend

CBS Television Distribution's CSI: NY ruled the new off-net weeklies with a flat 3.8; NBCU's House was up 4% to season high 2.8; NBCU's Monk jumped 12% to a 1.9, tying Twentieth's Boston Legal, which was unchanged.

The off-cable Litton's Storm Stories surged 18% to a 1.3 and the off-TBS strip, Debmar-Mercury's House of Payne, suffered a 5% decline to a 2.1.