'mutant X' Transforms Into Top Syndie Actioner

The highly anticipated new sci-fi action hour "Mutant X" from Tribune Entertainment materialized on the weekly syndication chart with an impressive 3.3 rating average for its debut. The opening launched the new arrival as the No. 1 weekly action hour in syndication for the week ending Oct. 14.

The second highest-rated hour was Tribune's second-season premiere of "Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda," which posted a 3.2 rating, up 28% from the previous week's repeat episode of the sci-fi series. In some respects, the fortunes of both shows are linked as they air back to back in the top four markets and in six of the top nine.

The top-rated weekly hour in the syndication rankings continued to be the veteran entertainment newsmagazine "Entertainment Tonight Weekend," which landed a 4.0, up 18% from the previous week.

Other new weekly hours that bowed this season include the off-network introduction of "The Practice," which posted a 2.7 rating, down 7% in its third week. Off-network reality video series "World's Wildest Police Videos" (2.4) was up 14% in its second week in syndication.

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" dipped 27% in its third week in off-network syndication with a 1.9 rating. But it was partially or completely pre-empted in 81 markets, including 32 of the top 50, by baseball playoffs on Fox.

Among new off-network sitcoms, "Everybody Loves Raymond" (4.5) grew 7% from its syndie premiere number three weeks ago. Animated sitcom "King of the Hill" (2.7) gained 8% from its premiere the week before. "Just Shoot Me" (2.4) was up 4% from its debut number four weeks ago.

Among new first-run strips, relationship show "Elimidate" posted its best number yet in its fourth week with a 1.2 rating, up 20% from its debut number. The top-rated new strip on the charts continued to be "Crossing Over With John Edward" (1.8).