Tyler Perry’s ‘Love Thy Neighbor’ gets lovely ratings in OWN debut

The alliance between Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey continued to reap benefits for Winfrey’s OWN, as his new comedy “Love Thy Neighbor” premiered to solid ratings.

The series premiere drew 1.65 million viewers, making it the second highest series debut on OWN’s history, according to a release by the network. Perry’s drama, “The Have and the Have Nots,” which premiered Tuesday, was the highest rated debut with 1.7 million viewers.

BUZZMETER: Pundits make their Emmy picks

A second episode of “Love Thy Neighbor” brought in a larger audience -- 1.8 million viewers.

“Love Thy Neighbor” is set at the Love Train Diner, which is run by feisty family matriarch Hattie Mae Love (Patrice Lovely). The show was created, written and directed by Perry.

ALSO:

‘Love Thy Neighbor’: Makes Oprah look mean

Tyler and Oprah don’t have it in ‘Have-Nots’

The power of the Oprah/Tyler alliance