*Miramax/Warner Bros. share THE AVIATOR’s 11 Nominations

CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

02/25/05

Good morning. It’s Friday, February 25, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Fox once again dominated on Wednesday night with a primetime average of 7.5/18 A18-49 according to final numbers from Nielsen Media Research.  ABC was nearby at #2 with a 5.1/13, with each of the remaining nets falling into the relative distance:  CBS 3.4/8, NBC 3.0/7, WB 1.6/4, UPN 1.2/3. At 8pm ABC’s Lost doubled its closest competitor by posting a 7.5/20, twice the share of That 70’s Show. American Idol charged ahead at 9p with a 11.3/26, Alias followed with a 4.1/9. CSI and Law & Order duked it out at 10p with CSI winning the battle by a single share point:  4.8/12 vs. 4.4/11, while Wife Swap on ABC brought in a 3.5/9.

February Sweep to date (2/3-2/2316/05) per Nielsen Media Research data:
A18-49:  Fox 7.0/18 (+67% vs. same period in February 2004), CBS 3.9/10 (-9); ABC 3.8/10 (+19%); NBC 3.6/9 (-27%); WB 1.4/4 (-18%); UPN 1.3/3 (-24%)
Total Viewers: Fox 16.9 million (+75% vs. same period in February 2004), CBS 12.6m (-13%); NBC 10.2m (-17%); ABC 10.1m (+12%); WB 3.5m (-13%); UPN 3.2m (-20%).

20th Television has decided to push back The Suze Orman Show to a Fall 2006 start, rather than next fall.  In a statement released late yesterday, 20th said in part: “The interest and commitment in Suze Orman and her talk show among both broadcasters and advertisers remain very high.  While momentum for the strip has been building, fewer available attractive time periods in fall 2005 and the current economics of launching a daytime strip constrain the manner in which we wish to bring this very important program to viewers.  In our view, there is much greater potential for ‘Suze Orman’ in fall 2006, or possibly earlier, when a number of highly desirable time periods are slated to become available.  Therefore, we have adjusted the program’s time table to reflect the correct marketplace environment.”  Clearances to date include WCBS/NY, KPIX/San Francisco, KVVU/Las Vegas, WRAZ/Raleigh, and the Fox O&O station group. Earlier this week, KNBC said it would move out Dr. Phil at 4pm to make way for Suze in the fall.  No word on where this announcement leaves KNBC. The O&O’s were scheduled to begin airing the show this spring, with other stations able to launch as early as this summer.

HBO will move Six Feet Under from Sunday nights to Monday nights for its final season, set to launch this June.  Also kicking off in June is Comeback, a comedy series, which is scheduled for Sundays, as well as the second season of Entourage.  HBO will also repeat Six Feet Under on Sunday evenings at 10p.

Casting / Development / Production:

• Production has begun on TLC‘s new five part special series called Operation Homecoming (True Entertainment/A-III Prods).  The show chronicles the individual stories of American soldiers as they reunite with their families after long tours of duty all over the world.  Operation Homecoming will premiere, as is fitting, on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30.
• 777 Entertainment Group is currently pitching a new animated project, The Roaches, to cable nets.  Created by Marcello Robinson and Deborah Young, the project is about a family of Roaches evicted from their Beverly Hills mansion and who relocate to a Chicago housing project. Several hip hop artists have reportedly been signed to participate in the project including Bone Thugs N Harmony, Jada Kiss, Juvenile, Lil Wayne, Mama Stokes, Mannie Fresh and Ying Yang Twins. 
• ABC has ordered a new comedy pilot about a teacher who works with gifted children, from Touchstone TV. There seems to be some discrepancy as to the star of the project, according to Variety.  According to ABC, Peter Dinklage who has a talent holding deal with Touchstone and ABC, will lead the cast.  And yet, Dinklage may be joining the cast of the CBS drama pilot Threshold (Paramount Network TV).  The apparent confusion may come from the actor’s extension on his holding deal, or the expiration of said deal.

Casting Updates:

• E! News: The Michael Jackson Trial has cast courtroom expert James Curtis as host of the nightly re-enactment of the day’s events.  The nightly updates will commence once the trial begins, and air M-F at 730p and 9p, with a weekend wrap up on Saturdays at 10am.  James Curtis will also lead discussions with various legal experts and analysts.
• UPN‘s pilot project Wildlife (Paramount Network TV/Axelrod/Edwards) has added Eric Balfour, Tamara Taylor and Omar Benson Miller to it’s cast about twentysomething friends living in Hollywood’s Silverlake area. Previously cast was Denise Richard, and directing is David Straiton.
• NBC has signed Aunjanue Ellis to join Benjamin Bratt and Sarah Clarke in E-Ring (Warner Bros. TV/Jerry Bruckheimer TV), drama pilot set in the Pentagon.
• NBC has added Ming-Na and Jonathan Cake to its cast of Inconceivable (Touchstone/Tollin Robbins Prods) about a group of doctors at a fertility clinic.
• ABC has added a few to its untitled ensemble comedy project from Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfton and produced by Touchstone TV.  New cast members include Julie Bowen, Alan Tudyk and Michael Landes. The premise is a group of single thirtysomethings, all living in Philadelphia.
• Charlotte Ross will join Ashley Scott in ABC’s drama pilot Westside (Warner Bros. TV/Class IV Prod), a primetime soap set in a high end Los Angeles real estate office.
• Sofia Vergara has been added to the cast of ABC‘s Hot Properties (Warner Bros. TV), which also includes Nicole Sullivan, in a workplace comedy also set in a NYC real estate office.
• ABC‘s drama project Commander in Chief (Touchstone TV/Battle Plan Prods) about the first female President of the United States, has signed Caitlin Wachs to play the President’s daughter. Cast earlier was Ever Carradine as the Press Secretary.  Commander-in-Chief has a cast contingent restriction still in place.
• What About Brian? (Touchstone TV/Bad Robot TV) for ABC has cast Polly Shannon to join the ensemble cast headed by Barry Watson as Brian.  This project is about a single guy surrounded by his married friends.
• Tiffani Thiessen will head up the CBS comedy pilot Stroller Wars (Paramount Network TV/Sony Pictures TV) about new parents living in NYC.
• Fox has added Paula Patton to its cast of Murder Book (20th), headed up by Josh Brolin.

Bravo’s Project Runway had its 2-hour season finale on Wednesday night and two million viewers tuned in to see if Wendy Pepper could possibly win this gig.  (If you haven’t caught up with your Tivo yet, I won’t tell you.) In the demos, Runway delivered 1.1/3 among A18-34, and a 1.0/3 among A18-49, with a median age of 34.4.   And they’re looking for designer wannabes for a second season.

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of February 7-14, 2005 ranked by HH Rtg
Wheel of Fortune (King World)                  9.7 AA
Oprah (King World)                        8.4 AA / 8.5 GAA
Jeopardy (King World)                           8.2 AA
Everybody Loves Raymond (King World)    7.3 AA / 9.4 GAA
Seinfeld (Sony)                            6.4 AA / 7.9 GAA
Dr. Phil (King World)                     5.6 AA / 5.6 GAA
Entertainment Tonight (Paramount)       5.6 AA / 5.7 GAA
Judge Judy (Paramount)           5.2 AA / 8.0 GAA
Inside Edition (King World)              3.8 AA / 3.8 GAA
Millionaire (BVT)                         3.8 AA / 4.2 GAA
Source Nielsen Media Research;

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of February 7-14, 2005 ranked by A18-49
Everybody Loves Raymond (King World)    4.3 AA / 5.4 GAA
Seinfeld (Sony)                            4.2 AA / 5.2 GAA
Oprah (King World)                        3.3 AA / 3.4 GAA
Wheel of Fortune (King World)                  2.7 AA
Jeopardy (King World)                     2.3 AA
Entertainment Tonight (Paramount)       2.3 AA / 2.4 GAA
That 70’s Show (Carsey-Werner)  2.3 AA / 2.9 GAA
Malcolm/Middle (20th)                     2.1 AA / 2.5 GAA
Dr. Phil (King World)                     2.0 AA / 2.0 GAA
Judge Judy (Paramount)           2.0 AA / 3.0 GAA
Source Nielsen Media Research

Andi Sporkin has been named VP/Communications, NPR, per an announcement from Ken Stern, EVP/NPR.  Andi will direct all strategic
communications and brand management for the country’s premier producer and distributor of noncommercial news, talk and entertainment programming.She will handle media relations, communications support for the organization’s public radio member stations, national promotions,
corporate graphic design, and publications. 

NEP Broadcasting, a provider of out-sourced media services for live sports and entertainment events, announced Louis A. Borrelli, Jr. has been named Chief Executive Officer effective immediately.  Louis joins NEP from America Online, Inc. where he was most recently SVP/Broadband Distribution and Local Promotion.

Camryn not Carmen, Camryn not Carmen, Camryn not Carmen, Camryn not Carmen, Camryn not Carmen, Camryn not Carmen. Got it.

Wednesday, February 23, 2005. FINAL Ratings for all Networks – program averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

FOX     10.5/16  That 70’s Show 5.3/8, The Simple Life 5.5/8, American Idol 15.7/23

ABC     7.9/12   Lost 11.8/18, Alias 6.0/9, Wife Swap 5.7/9

CBS     7.4/11   60 Minutes 6.4/10, King of Queens 6.6/10, Yes Dear 6.2/9, CSI: NY 9.2/15

NBC     6.9/11   Crossing Jordan [r] 4.7/7, The West Wing 6.4/9, Law & Order 9.6/15

WB      2.3/6    Smallville 3.2/5, Jack & Bobby 1.5/2

UPN     1.9/3    Road to Stardom 2.1/3, Kevin Hill 1.6/2

A18-49  Fox 7.5/18, ABC 5.1/13, CBS 3.4/8, NBC 3.0/7, WB 1.6/4, UPN 1.2/3

Oscar Friday Fun Fact:  The shortest Oscar ceremony in history was the first Oscars, in 1929. The awards portion of the evening lasted only about 15 minutes (shorter than some speeches take these days), since all the winners had been announced three months earlier.

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1964 – Champion Sonny Liston threw in the towel after just six rounds with, giving Clay the heavyweight title.
 
Answer to Yesterday’s Movie Trivia Question: Here’s the quote – you provide the film name:  “Look at me!  I’m the King of New York!”  NEWSIES.  Kudos to:  Andy Weir-Northstar Media/NY; Julie Cohn-Benedict Adv/Daytona Beach; Melanie Sheerr-Tuck School of Business/Hanover NH; Brooke Baratz-GM Mediaworks/NY; Tim Rank-Adamson Adv/St. Louis; Kate Finn-GRP Media/Chicago; Meghan Stutzman-Starcom Worldwide/Chicago; Lynnette Rahm-KBCI/Boise; Lenny Rose-Rose Prods/LA; Lynn Gutstadt-Premier Retail Networks/San Francisco; Cheryl Landin-Castle Adv/San Diego; Scott Patch-TV Guide Channel/Hollywood and Mary Ann Pruitt-KTVA/Anchorage.

A MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

SOME LIKE IT HOT .

Court TV: The Investigation Channel’s primetime ratings growth across all key female demos:

W18-34  +50%
W18-49  +21%
W25-54  +13%

And find out what else is hot on the Hollywood Heat Academy Awards Show.
Tonight at 11pm.

The envelope please.
The winner is…

You , when you advertise on Court TV. 

Visit www.courttvmediakit.com for details.

Source: Nielsen Media Research.

Today’s Movie Trivia Question:  Last one of the week:  “Well, bite my butt and call me an apple!”  (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
02.25.05  5:03am

To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change a subscription for any Cynopsis edition: www.cynopsis.com

Archived Editions: www.Cynopsis.com
Cynopsis Ad Sales 203-526-8978
Press Release Fax: 203-381-9318
All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free.
Copyright Cynthia Turner 2005

Cyn opsis  CLASSIFIEDS – read by 101,600+ Cynopsis & Cynopsis Kids! readers every day.

JOB OPENING:  MGR- PHOTOGRAPHY/ONLINE-Disneyland Resort, Anaheim. min 5 yrs prof newsroom exp in Top 30 mkt, exp in news photog/online media/multimedia prod; mgmt exp; Deg in Comm, PR or rel field. Apply: www.DisneyCareers.com (3/4)

JOB OPENING:  SR ANALYST, SALES RESEARCH/ABC FAMILY-NY. 2-3 yrs exp media research, esp cable; savvy w/Nielsen, app. software; track net perf/competitors,adding perspective; develop/track estimates. Email:
  (3/4)

JOB OPENING:  PROGRAM SALES COORD, OLN, Stamford, CT- Assist w/admin of sponsored time buy programming. 2+ yrs sales env exper w/in media industry; programming background a +. See www.olntv.com . Resume/salary:
   (3/4)

JOB OPENING: ON-AIR PROMO SCHEDULER, OLN,Stamford, CT- Schedule all on-air and internet promos and handle contractual obligations. 1-2 yrs prior exp req’d.See www.olntv.com . Resume/salary:
   (3/4)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH ANALYST-King World/CBS-Short Hills, NJ. 1-3 yrs exp analyzing local mkts data, writing research-based sales pres.; knwldg of Nielsen, WRAP Sweeps, Ovnt systems; Pwrpnt, Excel. Resume:
  (3/10)

JOB OPENING:  MEDIA RELATIONS MGR, MSNBC/NJ: 5-7 yrs publicity exp, preferably in TV.  Excellent written & verbal skills.   Apply to www.gecareers.com and search by job#400916  (3/3)

JOB OPENING:  SR. RESEARCH ANALYST-Lifetime TV/NY (PT-3 days/wk). TV research exp req. Able to analyze data, write assessment & discuss w/clients. Must have MS Office, Nielsen sftwr. Email resume to
   (3/3)

JOB OPENING:  SR. MGR, PROGRAM PLANNING/SCHEDULING, Colorado, Min 5 yrs prgm exp. Manage/support prgm/scheduling for up to 6 SEG domestic Pay-TV movie channels, incl 1 Flagship channel. www.starzsuperpak.com Ref 404 78  (3/2)

JOB OPENING:  VP OF CONSUMER MARKETING & ADVERTISING – Court TV, NY., For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/ (3/2)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR CONSUMER ADVERTISING/MEDIA BUYING – Court TV, NY., For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/ (3/2)

JOB OPENING:  SR. ART DIRECTOR – Court TV, NY., For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/ (3/2)

JOB OPENING:  PRINT JOURNALIST (FT)-CYNOPSIS. 5+ yrs exp rprting on business of bcst/cable; feature/trend(s) stories. Up on industry issues, flexibility in topics covered. Solid contacts list. Resume/cvr ltr:
  (3/2)

JOB OPENING:  PROGRAM SCHEDULING, NY. Cable net seeks program exec. Track record of scheduling success. Strategic thinker w/research bckgrd, strong comm. skills.Interest in music & entertainment. Email:
  (3/2)

JOB OPENING:  3 DIRECTORS/PGM PROD-HGTV (Knoxville or NY). Manage orig comm’d prods & acq. 7+ yrs mjr mkt exp; hands on prod exp in variety of formats or 5+ yrs net pgm mgmt/dev. Email:
, REF #4262-U  (3/2)

JOB OPENING:  MEDIA SALES PLANNER (NY)-Warner Bros. Television Dist. Direct contact-Sales Team & Ad. Agencies. Min 1-2 yrs agency, buying, planning or coordinating exp. Req. Email:
RE: “UCTC/33447BR”  (3/1)

JOB OPENING:  new VICE PRESIDENT, CMT Dukes of Hazzard Institute.* Get paid $100,000 for one year to watch television. Job responsibilities include: watch The Dukes of Hazzard weeknight on CMT; know the words to The Dukes of Hazzard theme song, Good Ol’ Boys; write The Dukes of Hazzard Institute online blog for cmt.com; serve as expert on all things The Dukes of Hazzard; maybe take The General Lee for a spin now and then. For Job Application, visit: CMTDukesInstitute .com . *The position requires the execution of a one-year, $100,000 Independent Contractor agreement with GREAT! (3/1)

JOB OPENING:  NATIONAL BROADCAST SUPERVISOR-ICON International/Stamford CT. 4-7 yrs buying exp in nat’l bcst w/major ad firm. Strong math, negotiating & comm. skills, detailed and comp. Proficient. Apply www.icon-intl.com EOE   (3/1)

JOB OPENING:  APs/RESEARCHERS -NY. Strong research skills, experience on late night/comedy/variety series, and a broad knowledge of current events/entertainment/pop culture. Creative thinkers email resumes to: APResearcher
  (3/1)

JOB OPENING:  HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. For prominent NY-based non-fiction prod. co. Must have significant exp/contacts w/cable nets, int’l, etc. Part sales, part creative, part who knows? Resume:

  (2/26)

JOB OPENING:  NTR MANAGER-WGNO/WNOL, Tribune Broadcasting’s New Orleans TV cluster. Increase market share by developing targeted marketing strategies. See www.abc26.com for more info. Resume/cover letter to

  (2/26)

JOB OPENING:  COMMUNICATIONS: GLAAD, POC MEDIA MANAGER-COMMUNITIES OF AFRICAN DESCENT-LA/NYC: advocates fair, accurate & inclusive coverage of LGBT people in African American media or black press. Desc. @ www.glaad.org. (2/26)

JOB OPENING:  COMMUNICATIONS: GLAAD, POC MEDIA MANAGER-SPANISH LANGUAGE MEDIA MANAGER -NYC: advocates fair, accurate & inclusive coverage of LGBT people in Spanish language & mainstream media.  Desc. @ www.glaad.org (2/26)

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

SITUATION WANTED:  PRODUCTION MGMT/PLANNING/SALES/GLOBAL ad sales planner w/international network at major studio seeks LA/OC job w/agency, network or studio. Previous tv/film programming, production & ad sales exp.

  (3/4)

SITUATION WANTED:  TV DIRECT RESPONSE, CORP SALES, BUSINESS MGT, NYC, Extensive senior mgt. exp. Est DRTV division of major media corp. Exp TV producer.Hands-on DRTV Ops, p&l,marketing creative, media. E-Mail:
   (3/3)

SITUATION WANTED:  Business analyst with exp./from Cablevision, looking for ENTERTAINMENT/MEDIA ANALYST WORK in Ad Sales, or Finance.  Hardworking, great spreadsheet and problem solving skills. Email:
  (3/2)

SITUATION WANTED:  MEDIA BUYER/MARKETING ANALYST: D/R Media Buyer with background in tv/radio/print sales-support seeks job in advertising or marketing in Connecticut. Please email
  (3/2)

SITUATION WANTED:  PUBLICIST , NYC. 5 yrs experience in Theatre PR (NYC & London). Seeking PR position in theatre, film or TV.

  (3/1)

SITUATION WANTED:  Boston or NY – RESEARCH PROFESSIONAL with 10 years network, station, syndication experience. Excellent communication, presentation and computer skills. Outstanding references! Email:
  (2/26)

E-mail
for rates and specs for Job Openings. Your ad will be read by 101,600+ Cynopsis & Cynopsis Kids! readers every day. No wonder Cynopsis ads get results.

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT: FEBRUARY 25, 2005:  February sweep 2/3/05 – 3/2/05

ABC              America’s Funniest Videos (2 hrs), 20/20
CBS              Joan of Arcadia, JAG, NUMB3RS
FOX              Bernie Mac, Bernie Mac, Jonny Zero
NBC              Dateline, Third Watch, Medical Investigation
PAX              America’s Talented E/I, MGM Movie: Memories of Me
UPN              Star Trek Enterprise, Road to Stardom [r]
WB               What I Like About You, Reba [r], Reba, Blue Collar TV
TELE             La Mujer en el Espejo, Gitanas, Te Voy a Ensenar a Querer
UNIV             Rubi, Amor Real, Hospital El Paisa, La Escuelita