'Anderson' Better Ratings

'Anderson' Posts Strong Ratings, Second Biggest Talk Show Premiere Since 2006

First Posted: 10/5/11 -- 11:35 AM ET | Updated: 10/5/11 -- 11:35 AM ET

Anderson Cooper's new daytime talk show posted strong ratings in its second week, giving the new host some good news after tragic news a teenage boy seriously injured himself taping a segment for the show.

"Anderson" netted a 1.4 rating from Nielsen, making it the second biggest debut for a new talk show since Rachel Ray in 2006, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Only Dr. Oz had a higher debut when his show premiered in 2009.

The bright spot for "Anderson" comes after a slow ratings start and mixed reviews in its first week.

"Anderson" wasn't the only talk show with good news. Almost every talk show was up or even with its performance last year. Ellen DeGeneres, who is in the ninth year of her show, had her best premiere week last week.

It's the first season since Oprah ended her show, but two of her proteges led the pack: "Dr. Phil" was the top-rated syndicated talk show in the second week of the new season, followed by "Dr. Oz," which took over many of Oprah's former time slots and stations. "Live! With Regis and Kelly," which is in its last season with the beloved Regis Philbin, came in third with a solid gain on its audience from one year ago.