“The Talk” continues to make big strides in the viewership department.
The CBS daytime talk show (Julie Chen, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, Sara Gilbert, Aisha Tyler) had the best week in its three-year history last week — averaging nearly 2.5 million viewers and posting its best numbers among women 18-49 (its target audience) since last September. The show’s viewership was up 10 percent from the same week last year and, for the first time this season in regularly scheduled broadcasts, matched ABC’s “The View” in women 25-54 and women 18-49 (here in New York, “The View” airs at 11 a.m. on Ch. 7; “The Talk” airs 2 p.m. on Ch. 2).
Elsewhere on the ratings scene, Discovery’s “Moonshiners” topped all of Wednesday night — both cable and broadcast — in men 18-49, while pulling in nearly 3.2 million viewers and topping all cable shows in persons 25-54 and men 25-54/18-49.
Its lead-out, the season finale of “Amish Mafia,” was right behind “Moonshiners,” finishing second among cable shows in men 25-54/18-49 while reeling in 3.2 million viewers.
Discovery’s Wednesday night lineup, in fact, beat broadcast cousins “Nashville,” “The Neighbors,” “NCIS,” “Chicago Fire” and “Guys With Kids,” among others, in men 25-54.
* * *
LA-based APA — which handles an impressive roster of celebrity clients in all facets of entertainment — has beefed up its New York office (located on West 45th), hiring two new agents to handle its expanding music department.
Andrew Ellis (Brand New, Rocket From The Crypt, Manchester Orchestra, Dashboard Confessional and others), who recently left Paradigm, joins APA’s Contemporary Music division.
Meanwhile, WME alum Alex Chaykin — who reps many electronic artists including Project 46, Matt Nash and Brass Knuckles — was named Vice President.
APA could be looking for more office space very soon with new addition hires on the horizon.
* * *
It’s NHL hockey time again (finally!) on MSG with the Rangers vs. the Bruins tomorrow (7 p.m.) and the Islanders-Devils on MSG+. The Rangers return to the Garden Sunday for their home opener vs. Pittsburgh (7 p.m./MSG).
The on-rink action was preceded Wednesday night by an MSG event at Toy restaurant (Ninth Avenue in the Meatpacking District) featuring the network’s hockeycasters — among them Sam Rosen, Chico Resch, Steve Cangialosi, Howie Rose, Butch Goring and Al Trautwig.
* * *
Last, but not least:
* Antenna TV will air a tribute to late “Diff’rent Strokes” star Conrad Bain, who also co-starred on “Maude,” tomorrow — with episodes of both shows airing from 1 to 8 p.m. Bain died Monday in California at the age of 89.