'Payne' can't complain

[Brian Damage]

"House of Payne's" debut in broadcast syndication Monday fell in line with other recent syndicated bows.

The sitcom, which became a hit in its debut on TBS last year, averaged a 1.2 household rating/2 share in 39 weighted metered markets, according to Nielsen Media Research. That was even with its lead-in average and up 9% from its year-ago time period average.

Of the eight syndicated series bowing so far this season, "Payne" ranks third, behind the Sept. 8 debuts of talker "The Doctors" (1.6/4) and game show "Deal or No Deal" (1.3/3).

Also debuting Monday was daytime court show "Judge Jeanine Pirro," which airs solely on the CW. It averaged a 0.8/2 in 53 markets, off 33% from its lead-in average but even with its September 2007 time-period average.

Game show "Trivial Pursuit: America Plays" was just behind "Pirro," averaging a 0.7/2. That was on par with its lead-in average but off 13% from the year-ago time-period average.

Meanwhile, after 11 airings, "The Doctors" is averaging a 1.4/4, followed by "Deal" (1.1/3), talker "The Bonnie Hunt Show" (1.0/3) and court shows "Judge Karen" (0.9/3) and "Family Court With Judge Penny" (0.8/3).

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