CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

01/04/05

Good morning. It’s January 4, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing. 

The live airing of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on New Year’s Eve put the show in the FCC cross hairs as a Motley Crue band member wished another a Happy New Year, with the “f” word tossed in the middle. While the moment aired live on the east coast – it was edited out before it was heard on the west coast. That the network hasn’t received any calls perhaps is a sign of our times – people call the FCC directly now.

On January 15, the NBC Networks (NBC, USA, Bravo, MSNBC, CNBC, Trio and Sci Fi) will air a live benefit with funds going to help tsunami victims. The benefit airs live on the east coast, and on tape delay on the west coast. Thus far no participants have been announced.  Big names have already donated big funds to aid tsunami relief – $1 million from Sandra Bullock to the American Red Cross; and a ‘sizable donation’ from Leonardo DiCaprio to UNICEF.  News Corp has made a corporate donation of $1 million, and has also pledged to match employee donations dollar for dollar.

Fox has ordered five additional episodes of its freshman series House, which stars Hugh Laurie, for a total now of 18 eps.

Tonight’s Premieres:
NBC:  Committed at 930p

WB’s Summerland joins the primetime schedule on Sunday, January 16 with repeats of its first season at 7pm.  Steve Harvey’s Big Time, currently at 7p, will move to 9p; The Mountain goes on hiatus after is 13 ep run.   Originals of Summerland’s new season kick off on February 28, airing Mondays at 9pm (when Everwood takes a break).

Casting / Development / Production

• Bravo has ordered up six eps of Kathy Griffin: Life on the D List (Picture This TV). The show has cameras documenting Griffin’s life around as she works at her standup and does her other show-biz type stuff to keep her career on the move.  This show originally aired as a special.  
• Bravo has also ordered a pilot called Celebrity Pool (Laurelwood Entertainment), hoping this show will do for pool what celebrities playing cards did for poker.
• NBC ordered a put pilot from Jerry Bruckheimer called E-Ring (Warner Bros. TV).  Like the West Wing, E-Ring focuses on the inner workings at the Pentagon. The script was written by David McKenna; and the idea was created by McKenna and Ken Robinson who is a former Green Beret.
• WB ordered a pilot from Bruckheimer as well, this one about a teenage lawyer – a kind of Doogie Howser kid – and his legal mentor.  Thus far, this project  from Warner Bros. TV is untitled.
• Loved Ones (NBC Universal) has received a cast-contingent pilot order from NBC. The project is about three siblings whose lives did not turn out as they anticipated (did anybody’s?).

USA and Home Shopping Network is stepping into the reality world with a show from producer Ken Mok (America’s Next Top Model, Who’s Your Daddy?) in which inventors will get a chance to compete for a time slot on HSN to barker their inventions, per Variety.  The project is called Made in the USA, and will be set at the HSN headquarters in Florida.  Winner gets a one year deal with HSN. Look for this show to debut in late spring or early summer 2005.

Trio was not able to come to terms with DirecTV before year’s end, and as a result over the weekend was removed from DirecTV lineup.  The result to the mini-net is a devastating drop of more than 50% in cable subs – from 20m down to 8 million.   You’ll recall last July when NBC Universal negotiated long term deals for its cable group which included USA, Bravo, Sci Fi and the news nets, but did not include Trio.

TiVo has launched its new TiVoToGo service enhancement. The service allows TiVo Series 2 standalone subscribers, with the exception of those with DVD recorders, to transfer recorded programs from their TiVo box to a laptop/PC for their viewing leisure.  Tivo plans to offer TiVoToGo to those consumers with DVD recorders some time later this year.  There is no additional cost for  the new service. Software updates to standalone TiVo Series2 owners yesterday. 

As in previous years, this January Cynopsis will provide its NATPE Syndicated Program Guide listing of NEW SERIES only coming to market in preparation for this year’s conference in Las Vegas.  If you have information you’d like listed for a new strip or weekly series, please send it to me at
(with NATPE listing in the subject line), and provide the name of the series, #/eps, distributor name/phone/booth or suite number, terms (cash, cash+, barter split), and frequency.  Because of space, no OTOs, specials, movie packages, quarterly shows or returning series are included in the listing. For Children’s Programming, please send your new series information (please add if its live action/animation and target age group) to Gwen Billings for the Cynopsis Kids NATPE Syndicated Program Guide at
.   The deadline for submissions is January 14; the Syndicated Guides will be sent to all subscribers on Wednesday, January 19, the week before the convention.

Christopher Raleigh has been named SVP/Advertising Sales for GSN, reporting to Pres/CEO Rich Cronin. Based at the network’s NY offices, Christopher will oversee both the NY, LA, Chicago and Dallas ad sales teams.  Christopher made the move to GSN from Tech TV where he was VP/Sales since 2000.

Keira Alexandra has been upped to VP/Creative Director at Sundance Channel.  The announcement was made by Larry Aidem, President/CEO.  Keira is charged with overseeing  on and off-air creative design and execution.    

Mediaedge:cia has named Sande Bovis as Managing Partner/Director National Broadcast.  Reporting to MEC Chief Investment Officer Rino Scanzoni, Sande will work on the recently won Paramount Pictures account, setting the strategic direction for all national broadcast purchases and negotiation of cross-media platforms.   Sande hails from Universal McCann where she was SVP/Assoc Director of National Bcst.

Rick Sands has been named President & COO, DreamWorks SKG, he will report directly to principal partner David Geffen.  Sands joins DreamWorks from Miramax Films where he most recently served as COO.  He joined Miramax first in 1990 as EVP/CFO, leaving in 1993 for two years when he worked for RHI Entertainment. 

Sunday, January 2, 2005. Fast Affiliate Ratings for all Networks – time period averages only.  Source Nielsen Media Research. Time Period Averages Only. [p] = Premiere; [o] = Original; [r] = Repeat

NBC     8.0/13   Dateline 8.4/14, American Dreams 5.0/8, L&O: CI 9.3/14, Crossing Jordan 9.2/15

CBS     8.0/13   60 Minutes 9.8/16, Cold Case 9.6/15, Movie: Behind Enemy Lines 6.2/10

ABC     5.0/8    EM: Home Edition (2 hrs) [r] 5.8/9, Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure 4.2/7

FOX     4.4/7    Movie:  True Lies 4.4/7

WB      1.3/2    Steve Harvey [r] 1.4/2, Charmed [r] 1.4/2, The Mountain 1.1/2

A18-49  NBC 3.8/9, CBS 3.6/9, ABC 3.0/7, Fox 2.9/7, WB 0.7/2

A MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1809 Louis Braille was born in a small town near Paris, France.  Braille became well-known for creating a system of reading for the blind.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question courtesy of New Line Television:  Which star of The Notebook recently returned to the small screen on “8 Simple Rules”?    JAMES GARNER.  Kudos to:  Gloria Price-CBS News/NY; Dave Morgan-Litton TV; Anne Elliot-Nielsen Media Research/FL; Barbara Potasky-MediaOcean/NY; Joe Leydon-Bellaire TX; Mitt Dawson-Fox Sports Net/Houston; Kim Bradley-Tribune Bcsting/Chicago; Kandy Hartsfield-KDAF/Dallas; Sharon Levi-Anaheim Hills; Steve Leblang-FX/LA; Susan Nessanbaum Goldberg-Soap Talk, SoapNET/LA; Darlene Lieblich-Fox Cable Nets/LA; and Brook Peters-YTV/Toronto.

A MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

Today’s Trivia Question:  This favorite, albeit older, series character favored a candy called jellybabies.  He always carried a bag of them in his pocket, an on occasion would offer one to a new acquaintance.  Who was he?  (click here with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone with your answer.  Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)

Later — Cyn
01.04.05  5:11am

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Copyright Cynthia Turner 2005

Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS

JOB OPENING KUVN 23/ KSTR 49 RESEARCH ANALYST. Compile & analyze Nielsen ratings data & syndicated market research info. Min 2 yrs research/ marketing/sales exp.  Bilingual (Engl/ Span) is pref.

.  EOE.  (1/11)

JOB OPENING:  INITIATIVE-NY/LA Calling all Media Professionals! PLANNERS/BUYERS/SUPS/AD, exp people all levels for new accounts.
REF: CYN/MP  (1/11)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR/MANAGER, AFFILIATE MARKETING (2), OLN- Stamford, CT – Develop/execute affiliate and LAS promos for anchor pgming. 5+ yrs affiliate mktg exp at cable network. See www.olntv.com Resume/salary:
  (1/11)

JOB OPENING:  MTV Networks-MANAGER, AUDIENCE RESEARCH, Detroit. 3-5 years exp req. Creative story teller with solid management skills and thrives in a team-centric work environment. EOE. Go to www.mtvncareers.com to apply  (1/11)

JOB OPENING:  PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR, OLN- Stamford,- Assist pgming dept (acquisitions/scheduling/operations)in all aspects of daily ops & communication.1-2 yrs prior exp req’d.See www.olntv.com . Resume/salary:
  (1/11)

JOB OPENING:  WRITER/PRODUCER ON AIR PROMOS/TRAILERS-Strong bite manipulation, production and innovative writing skills. PROMO/TRAILER background ONLY. Send reels, bio to: STUDIO CITY, 3330 Cahuenga Blvd.#500, Los Angeles CA 90068  (1/8)

JOB OPENING:  Winnercomm Sports, America’s largest production/sponsorship-sales co, has opening for SALES ASSOCIATE/NY – Self-starter with strong computer skills and a vast knowledge of media. Resumes to
(1/8)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH MGR Initiative 5+ yrs, IMS & similar programs, targeting & consumer segmentation, forecasting, trend analysis, media and ad effectiveness.  Email resumes to ny
. (1/8)

JOB OPENING:  National Geographic Television & Film seeks a SR. WRITER for EXPLORER. Reqs: 4-6 yrs award-winning, TV writing exp, incl superior post-production skills.  To apply, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/jobs. E/O/E. (1/8)

JOB OPENING:  SALES ASSISTANT/Galavision, Miami. Detail-oriented, exc comm & math skills; prof at MS Office, to asst Sales Team w/presentation prep/reports/clerical work. Spanish speaking highly pref. EOE. Resume:
(1/15)

JOB OPENING:  Starz Ent. Group, FILM EVALUATOR-Screen/evaluate films for 15+ pay tv nets. Broad film knowledge, strong written/verbal skills. Industry exp or BA in Film Studies. No pd reloc. Job #402-10323CY. Apply www.starz.com (1/8)

JOB OPENING:  ANALYST, STRATEGIC SALES SRV/Discovery NY: Report, analyze & track DCI Nets’ deal revenue. 3-5yrs Excel detail oriented analytical media exp. For details/apply: http://corporate.discovery.com/ (1/8)

JOB OPENING:  SALES RESEARCH ANALYST, The Golf Channel/ORLANDO. Story-teller w/ 3+ yrs audience/ad sales rsch exp. Nielsen, MRI, etc. Golf/Sports media bckgrnd helpful, not required. EOE. M/F/D/V Fax: 407.363.7976. No calls pls (1/8)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH COORD-Cablevision, NYC. Copy/distribute materials. Access daily ratings for each division’s needs. Organize pgming materials for each product. College grad/entry level. Apply:

   (1/8)

JOB OPENING:  VP PUBLICITY-SCI FI CHANNEL, NY. 10+ yrs Ent &/or TV exp, consumer press & publicity. Strong industry contacts; solid relationships. Flair for bldg buzz. Apply: www.universalstudios.com/jobs keyword search #387308. EOE  (1/7)

JOB OPENING:  LIFETIME TV, NY-DIRECTOR, PARTNERSHIPS.As Sales bkgrnd. Will create and customize sponsorship packages for advertisers. Resume & cover:
. Note “Partnerships Dir” in the subject of email  (1/6)

More new Job Opening ads here on Monday, January 3rd …

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —

SITUATION WANTED:  L.A. based SCREENWRITER for hire. Do you have a great idea for a movie but lack the knack for putting it on the page? I can help. Rate is modest, but talent is abundant.
   (1/8)

SITUATION WANTED:  #1 billing LOCAL AE in top 35 market seeks growth opportunity in warm major market. 19 years sales experience with3 years in broadcast specializing in new local direct. E:mail televisionsales
(1/8)

SITUATION WANTED:  Seeking an ENTRY LEVEL POSITION IN TV/RADIO news, programming, production, promotions, or creative services. 3 years exp. in media industry. NY area. SJU grad,May 2005. Email: NickOrlandoEntertainment
(1/8)

E-mail
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  JANUARY 4, 2005:

ABC              The Fed Ex Orange Bowl
CBS              Red Carpet Confidential (OTO), The Amazing Race, Judging Amy
FOX              The Rebel Billionaire, House
NBC              The Biggest Loser, Committed [p], Dateline
PAX              World Cup Comedy, Early Edition, Cold Turkey
UPN              All of Us, Eve, Veronica Mars
WB               Gilmore Girls [r], High School Reunion
TELE             La Mujer en el Espejo, Gitanas, Te Voy a Ensenar a Querer
UNIV             Rubi, Amor Real, Caso de la Vida Real