“Clarkson” ratings tie “Ellen”

Review based on a national syndicated rating report for the week ending May 23, 2021.

The session ending May 23 featured a dead heat between sophomore Kelly Clarkson (0.9 live plus same day national Nielsen rating, up 13% from the week before) and the long-running Ellen DeGeneres (0.9, down 10%). Among total viewers, the former American Idol led the veteran by a daily average of 30,000 (1,314,000 to 1,284,000).

“Clarkson,” one of the very few strips able to move up in the frame, was just nominated for six Daytime Emmy Awards and will replace “Ellen” on the NBCUniversal-owned stations when that show exits syndication at the end of next season.

Most of the other top strips lost ground as warmer weather took a toll on PUT levels.

Season-to-date talk leader Live with Kelly and Ryan (1.7, down 6%) edged Dr. Phil (1.6, down 11%) at the head of the category. Other big chat-fests in the minus column included Wendy Williams (0.9, down 10%).

The No. 1 program overall was prime time access favorite Family Feud (5.5, down 2%). Daytime star Judge Judy (5.2, down 2%) was next in line.

Third place Jeopardy (5.1, down 2%) unveiled its annual “Tournament of Champions” with guest host Buzzy Cohen but saw a ratings decline.

Among magazines Inside Edition (2.1, down 5%) squeaked by Entertainment Tonight (2.0, down 9%). Access Hollywood (0.9, down 10%), which hit an eight-week high in the previous session, took third.