“Oprah’s Next Chapter” just turned the page to some seriously low numbers.
Oprah Winfrey’s weekly OWN talk show, which featured an interview with NJ Gov. Chris Christie last Sunday night, averaged only 500,000 viewers — down over 1 million viewers from the week before (in which Winfrey interviewed Joel Osteen). That’s about 14 times less than what Winfrey averaged in her syndicated heyday with “Oprah” (upwards of 7 million viewers).
Meanwhile, Winfrey’s OWN stablemate, Rosie O’Donnell, has settled into ratings mediocrity. “The Rosie Show” averaged only 150,000 viewers last week at 7 p.m. — and that was down from 193,000 viewers the week before. The show hit an all-time-low of 124,000 viewers the week of Dec. 26, according to Nielsen.
Elsewhere . . . ID had its Best. Week. Ever. for the week ending Jan. 15, averaging 765,000 viewers in prime time and also setting network records in people 25-34, women 25-54 and households. “On the Case with Paula Zahn” topped it off with a series-best 985,000 viewers.
The syndicated entertainment newsmagazines, meanwhile, saw ratings bumps for the week ending Jan. 8 — mostly due to the video diary posted online by Casey Anthony.
“Entertainment Tonight” shot up to 5.6 million viewers that week, while “Inside Edition”(4.4 million viewers) and “Access Hollywood” (2.7 million viewers) were up 3 and 6 percent, respectively, from the previous week.
***
Two weeks ago I wrote a story for The Post TV section about the upcoming reality show, “Pregnant Mothers, Pregnant Daughters,” produced by Ellen Rakieten and her production company, Ellen Rakieten Entertainment. At the time, Rakieten was cagey about where the show was headed.
Well, now we know.
VH1 announced late yesterday that it’s picked up the show, which “will follow the exciting and dramatic journey of a mother and daughter who are pregnant at the same time,” according to an accompanying press release.
The team that’s casting the show (no airdate yet) is asking interested parties to contact them at mothersanddaughtersexpecting@gmail.com. Include your phone number, e-mail address, city and state you live in. Applicants should be 18 or older. And, most importantly, why VH1 should include you in the show.
***
Last, but not least:
* Today on “Maury” (10 a.m./Ch. 11): Kyle Massey co-hosts the show’s “Most Talented Mini Idol” contest, which includes two kids from nearby Saddle Brook, NJ . . . Ch. 4’s David Ushery emcees today’s Black Agency Executives luncheon, celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, with MSNBC’s Al Sharpton as the special guest (Hilton New York) . . . On today’s “Dr. Phil” (3 p.m./Ch. 2): Sarah McKinley, the 18-year-old who shot and killed an intruder in her home to protect herself and her three-month-old son . . . MSG Network has a full lineup of Giants programming this Sunday, kicking off at noon (with “Giants Online”) and continuing at 12:30 p.m. with an all-new “Giants Chronicles,” followed at 1 p.m. with “Giants Opening Drive Live” (Bob Papa, Harry Carson) . . . Logo will air the second of three new “Absolutely Fabulous 20th Anniversary Specials” on Monday, Feb. 6 (10:30 p.m.). Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star . . . Out on DVD: “Delocated! Seasons 1 & 2.” The third season of “Delocated!” premieres Feb. 2 on Adult Swim (and features Janeane Garofalo).