Doubles up the premiere audience for 'The Megan Mullally Show'

Oh my gravy, indeed!

The first day ratings are in for "Rachael Ray," the new talk show from the over-caffeinated Food Network veteran, and so far the results are good.

The syndicated offering premiered on Monday (Sept. 18) with a 2.8/9 weighted meter market average. The King World-produced show will surely get an additional boost from Tuesday's episode, which features a visit from Ray's buddy Oprah Winfrey.

King World boasts that Ray's first episode, with guest Diane Sawyer, won its time period in New York and Philadelphia and finished first or second in 28 of 55 meter markets.

"It was a wonderful start for Rachael and our show and we couldn't be happier with the ratings," says King World Productions CEO Roger King. "We look forward to a whole season of exciting shows, guests and ratings."

The "30 Minute Meals" diva had the highest debut ratings for a first-run syndicated talk show since "Dr. Phil" premiered in 2002.

The early returns weren't nearly as positive for Monday's debut of NBC Universal's "The Megan Mullally Show," which did a 1.2/4 for its first day. The "Will & Grace" star and Rachael Ray can both take satisfaction in outdoing the premiere ratings for "Dr. Keith Ablow" (0.9 rating) and "Greg Behrendt" (0.8 rating).