WARNER BROS. MOVIES MAKE BASIC BETTER

In its 69^th Basic Cable Run,
U.S. MARSHALS IS #1 ON SPIKE
Beating 30 telecasts of James Bond movies including:
A View to a Kill, The World is Not Enough,
Octopussy and For Your Eyes Only

For Theatricals that Perform
Warner Bros. Domestic Cable DistributionSource: NTI 12/26/05-1/1/06, Live HH Cvg Rtg. US Marshals=Sun 8p.

CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

01/06/06

Good morning.  It’s Friday, January 6, 2006, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Tribune Entertainment will arrive at the NATPE convention in a couple of weeks with a new product in its pocket – American Idol.  The show will launch in syndication this fall, airing on the weekends. According to Variety, and as you might imagine, the Tribune owned stations have already cleared the show, sold on a straight barter basis.  Season #5 of American Idol will debut on Fox on January 17.  Between now and then, Fox Realty Channel will air a full repeat of Season #4, airing nightly up to the 17th, beginning this weekend.

Season Premiere:
NBC:  Book of Daniel 2-hour premiere at 9p

* MORE GOOD STUFF *Rumors abound – tho nothing officially has been announced – but it sounds as if HBO may order a fourth season of Deadwood, months before the third season premieres.  Season #3 debuts in early summer 2006.

Comedy Central has signed mobile content deals for two of its hit series, South Park and Chappelle’s Show.  South Park content – ringtones, voicemail, video, games, etc. – will be available on major mobile carriers via the Comedy Central Mobile Storefront.  Additionally, Amp’d Mobile will have the exclusive 2-1/2 minute video clip from Chappelle’s Show season #3 for the next 12 months.

Season #3 of Iron Chef America kicks off on Sunday, February 26th at  9p on Food Network.  Good Eats host Alton Brown returns as commentator, and joining Iron Chefs Mario Batali, Bobby Flay and Masaharu Morimoto will be the first ever female Iron Chef Cat Cora. Iron Chef America is produced by Triage Entertainment

Bravo will launch a new one hour documentary series called The Real Housewives of Orange County, which follows the lives of five families.  Produced by Kaufman Films and Dunlop Entertainment, and created by series executive producer Scott Dunlop, Bravo has ordered 7 eps, scheduled to debut on March 21 at 10p.

QTV has named Steve Kmetko to anchor the network’s daily news program, QTN World News with Steve Kmetko.  The newscast launched on January 3rd, airing nightly at 7pm.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. and PBS’ WETA/Washington DC announced a second season of Everyday Food will kick off tomorrow (check local listings) on public TV nationally. The weekly program is based on the MSLO magazine of the same name, billed as a survival guide for home cooks.

Fremantle International Distribution signed a deal with Sundance Channel to globally distribute its original programs.  Some of the programs covered under the agreement include Iconoclasts, TransGeneration, Tanner On Tanner, Festival Dailies and the as yet no aired original documentary series The Hill.  The Hill series focuses on the world of congressional politics through the lives of Capitol Hill staffers. It will air on the Sundance Channel in fall 2006.

It’s always interesting to see Tom Hanks — his look changes so drastically from one special appearance to the next, that it’s become a game to figure out what character/film he’s working on which would explain his current look.  Remember all the hair and beard when he was doing castaway?  Now it’s again long hair, tho combed straight back.  I’m guessing The Da Vinci Code …

Feeling the need to respond to anything you read in Cynopsis?  Feel like voicing an opinion, or just venting a little?  Now you can, and not just to me, but for anyone who’s interested!  Cynopsis has launched a blog – the only big difference with this daily email is you’ll need to go to it (it won’t come to you), and you can post your comments without restriction.  So feel free:  http://cynopsis.blogspot.com/

* NEW ORDERS / CASTING / DEVELOPMENT / PRODUCTION *CBS has ordered a script based on the indy feature film Red Doors from Blanc de Chine Entertainment and Paramount Network TV. The pilot script will be co-written and produced by Jane Chen, Georgia Lee and Mia Riverton.  Red Doors won several film festival awards including the NY Best Feature at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival.

NBC is looking at two projects, both comedies:

• Fix Me comes from Larry Wilmore (creator of The Bernie Mac Show), NBC Universal and DreamWorks, and is based on an idea from Steven Spielberg.  The comedy is set in a young woman’s pediatric practice. 
• The Raftons, also from Larry Wilmore and writer Bobby Gaylor, about a very corporate executive who finds himself running his younger brother’s business. That’s a good fit, but what may be a little off is the business – his brother is hip-hop star.

Fox has ordered a script for a new and as yet untitled comedy from Carol Leifer, about two high-society ladies who are not only best friends, but also recent divorcees. The project comes from NBC Universal and DreamWorks

* EXECUTIVE MOVES *John Cuddihy was named EVP/Managing Director for Lightworks Program Distribution (LPD), reporting to David A. Dreilinger, President/CEO. John will oversee program sales for LPD, promoting its library of hundreds of hours of award-winning programming to domestic and international broadcasters, cable and satellite outlets. He will also be involved in pursuing co-production ventures.

Music Choice has added Matt Turner as its Senior Director/Ad Sales.  Matt will work closely with potential advertisers to demonstrate the power of Music Choice’s highly-successful video-on-demand advertising model to take targeted marketing to a whole new level.  

Francis X. Farrell, Publisher of National Geographic Adventure, and Rainer A. Jenss, Publisher of National Geographic Kids, have been promoted to Vice Presidents in National Geographic’s magazine division. The announcement was made by National Geographic Magazine Group Publisher and Vice President Stephen P. Giannetti.

Discovery Communications has named Melinda Bickerstaff its new SVP/Learning and Development, reporting to Pandit Wright, Senior EVP/Human Resources and Administration.  She will be based at the company’s headquarters in Silver Spring, MD. Ms. Bickerstaff will be responsible for managing all aspects of Discovery’s learning and development programs.

* RATINGS *Wednesday — A18-49 Analysis:   According to fast affiliate ratings for Wednesday night from Nielsen Media Research, ABC was the big winner with a 12.0/29 A18-49, more than three times the share score over the #2 network, NBC with a 3.6/9. Now, I don’t know much about college football, but I understand this game was a stunner – thus the numbers.  Let’s set aside football for a second, and look at the rest of the primetime lineup.  At 8p the first hour of NBC’s The Biggest Loser Special Edition won with a 3.2/8, while CBS and Fox tied at a 6 share. At 9p NBC led with the final hour of The Biggest Loser, scoring a 4.0/9, a single share point ahead of CBS’ repeat of Criminal Minds. At 10p CBS and NBC were in a virtual tie, each posting an 8 share, for CSI: NY and Law & Order, respectively.

Live + Same Day Ratings: Wednesday, January 4, 2006 – time period averages only. Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

ABC     20.6/31 Rose Bowl: Texas vs. USC   20.6/31

CBS     6.8/10  Still Standing [r] 4.7/7, Yes Dear [r] 4.9/7, Criminal Minds [r] 7.9/11, CSI: NY [r] 7.6/12

NBC     6.3/9   The Biggest Loser: Special Edition 5.9/9, Law & Order  [r] 7.2/11

Fox     3.6/5   That 70’s Show [r] 3.4/5, Stacked 2.8/4, Nanny 911 3.8/5

Univ    2.0/3   Contra Viento y Marea 2.2/3, Alborada 2.1/3, Don Francisco Presenta  1.8/3

UPN     1.4/2   Eve [r] 1.5/2, Love, Inc. [r] 1.3/2, Veronica Mars [r] 1.2/2

WB      1.4/2   One Tree Hill [r] 1.4/2, Beauty & the Geek [r] 1.4/2

A18-49:         ABC 12.0/29, NBC 3.6/9, CBS 3.2/8, Fox 2.3/6, Univision 1.7/4, UPN 0.8/2, WB 0.7/2

Friday Fun Fact:  Oil of wintergreen does not come from the wintergreen plant but from the bark of the sweet birch.

Today in History:
1975 – ABC-TV debuted A.M. America, as their attempt to join the early morning news and information race. Long time WABC-TV news anchor, Bill Beautel, teamed up with Los Angeles, California’s Stephanie Edwards for the show’s ten month run.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: On Murphy Brown, what did Corky Sherwood collect? FIRST LADY DOLLS.  Kudos to:  Linda Siller-ABC Kids Networks/NY; Marge Pistulka-Empower MediaMarketing/Coral Springs; Gerry Bixenspan-TV Marketing/NY; Candice Herbert-Integrated Media Solutions/NY; Brynn Wyler-NCC Chicago; Christine La Valle-TANGERINE GLOBAL/Santa Monica; Scott E. Fink-The Outdoor Channel/Temecula; Susan Goldberg-MTV Networks/Logo/LA

Today’s Trivia Question: This tagline  “For fast, fast, fast relief” was used to advertise what product in the ’50s? (
with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. 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
01.06.06 – 4:42a
Ad Sales – Barbara Shapiro – 203-583-1224 /

Classifieds – Trish Pihonak – 203.926-9878 (new number!) /

Cynopsis: In Your Ear podcast available for download at iTunes and/or Yahoo Podcast at http://podcasts.yahoo.com/.

Subscribe, unsubscribe, or change a subscription for any Cynopsis edition: www.cynopsis.com
Archived Editions: www.Cynopsis.com
Press Release Fax: 203-926-9865 (new number!)
All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free.
Copyright Cynthia Turner 2006

Cyn opsis  CLASSIFIEDS —

JOB OPENING:  MANAGER/RESEARCH/Scripps Networks/New York: 5+ Yrs Nat Cable Ad Sales. Strategic thinker & expertise with Npower, Market Breaks, Star Media. Resume/Salary to
. Job Ref. 4928  (1/13)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE BOOKING PRODUCER Court TV, NY For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/   (1/13)

JOB OPENING:  NAT’L ACCT MGR/Oxygen/NY: create co-branded mktg campaigns for cable operators, dev & customize events. 80% nat’l trvl. 3 yrs exp mktg, sales & event planning.
  (1/13)

JOB OPENING:  DIR ENTERPRISE MKT/Comedy Central – strat mktg + promo 4 CC branded dig.med + cnsmr prods – .com, broadband, games, mobile, DVD, Records – dig.media mrkting exp a MUST. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Send res
     (1/13)

JOB OPENING:  MGR, CONS MKTING/Oxygen Media, NY. Execute multiple cons mktg projects. 3-5 yrs exp. in mktg & promotions. TV/ent. industry pref. Creative thinker, organized, detail-oriented. EOE Resume:
  (1/12)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT/Superstation WGN 2 openings (LA & NY): Requires detail-oriented team player with excellent communication skills & proficiency in Excel & Word-DR experience a plus. Resume to
(1/12)

JOB OPENING: SR CLIENT ANALYST/MSA Media/NY: Manage cable nets on Gabriel/other SW. Perform biz svcs, issue resolution, training, Jr Acct mgmt duties, prod planning. Must have tech knowledge. Send res & $ req to
(1/13)

JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE MRKTNG MANAGER/Gospel Music Channel/Atlanta: 3-5 yrs related experience. Familiarity with Simmons research a plus. Service orientation a must. Keen executer.
(1/12)

JOB OPENING: DIR, CREATIVE SERVICES/DISNEY BUENA VISTA GAMES/ Resp overseeing creative services dept. 5 + yrs exp video game ind. or equiv exp/ adv agency working w/ video game clients.  BA pref’d. Res to:
(1/12)

JOB OPENING: MRKTNG MGR/DISNEY BUENA VISTA GAMES: Work w/ strategic growth Buena Vista Games vertical & licensed prod’s.  BA/BS Pref’d. 5 + yrs related exp.  Proven success consumer kids mrktng. Res:
(1/12)

JOB OPENING: MGR, COMMUNICATIONS/REACH Media Inc./Dallas: 5-7 yrs exp in public relations, preferably TV/Entertainment media background. Report to Dir., Communications. Strong writer. Exc comm skills
(1/12)

JOB OPENING: VP,FINANCE /Wash.DC: NatGeo Channel. Participate in dvlpmt of strategic fin. plan. Oversee all operational fin.aspects.10+yrs exp. MBA pref, ent. ind a must. Apply on-line, www.foxcareers.com. EOE.(fng1179) (1/12)

JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASSISTANT/ Gospel Music Channel/Atlanta: 3-5 yrs exp supporting senior managers; fast pace, internet prof. req.
(1/11)

JOB OPENING: AD SALES MARKETING & PROMOTIONS MGR/Gospel Music Channel/Atlanta: 5+ yrs exp (media or agency, programmer). Keen executer.
(1/11) 

JOB OPENING: SENIOR MGR, PUBLIC RELATIONS/Gospel Music Channel/Atlanta: 7-10 years experience in cable related company. Report to SVP Marketing. Strategies for mrktng, programming, affil and ad sales
(1/11) 

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/Gospel Music Channel/Atlanta Reports to SVP Marketing. Recommend, develop and field research for programming, marketing, affiliate and ad sales. Hands on position.
(1/11)

JOB OPENING: ON-AIR PROMOS PROD/Discovery Nets Intl/Silver Spring MD: Prod on-air/ pres. tape elements/intl brands. 5-7 yrs on-air promo/prod exp, promo sched, intl/channel launch exp. Apply: www.discovery.com . Job req#3234 (1/11)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION ACCT/CABLEVISION/NYC: Assist the Dir of Production in creating production/program budgets. Req’s 1+ yrs exp in entertainment environ. BS/BA req’d. Res to:
w/job ID0103CYN15700MRK (1/11)

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER-AETN, NY. Create plans, steward accts, designate ADUs & recaps, coord make goods & post analysis prep. 2yrs exp plnng or buyer. Exc comm skills. Client service mindset. Res & Sal Req’d:
(1/11)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER OF DEVELOPMENT/National Geographic Channel/DC: Devlp concepts to meet aggressive ratings goals.5-10yrs exp.TV prod, writing, program financial budget. Must apply on-line@ www.foxcareers.com EOE (1/11)

JOB OPENING:  DIR/MARKETING /OLN/Stamford, CT – 10 yrs cable ntwrk Consumer Mktg req’d. Develop/execute consumer/trade mrktng campaigns for OLN’s tent pole events/prgrmmng & trade messages. www.olntv.com Res/salary:
(1/10)

JOB OPENING:  MGR, WEB CREATIVE/OLN/Stamford, CT: 4+ yrs corp/consumer site web design experience req’d. Implement & maintain brand look of OLNTV.com. Manage web creative process. www.olntv.com Resume/Salary:
(1/10)

JOB OPENING:  PRODUCER /KGO TV/SAN FRANCISCO: Supervise daily broadcast of new 2006 afternoon live show. 5 yrs production exp req in talk show format for major news market or entertainment news mag. Resumes
(1/10)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH ANALYST/Tribune Ent./NY: Support distrib/pgming/ad sales. Prstns, comp. analyses. Strong MS Office, writing skills. Familiar w/Nielsen sftwr a +. Go to www.tribjobs.com and search for the key word 7302 (1/10)

JOB OPENING:  VP FINANCE/Wash.DC: NatGeo Channel. Participate in dvlpmt of strategic fin. plan. Oversee all operational fin.aspects. 10+yrs exp. MBA pref, ent. ind a must. Apply on-line at www.foxcareers.com . EOE (fng1179)   (1/10)

JOB OPENING:  SECRETARY , PR/WE/NY – Support busy VP of PR and dept w/ all day to day admin. needs. Detail oriented, articulate prof w/solid phone & MS office skills. resumes to
(1/10)

JOB OPENING:  NBC Universal Cable NY/NY: ART DIRECTOR, PRINT for Bravo. Create compelling work. BA with 7+ yrs design exp. Cable or b’cast network ref. www.universalstudios.com/jobs keyword job #45365 (1/10)

JOB OPENING: VOD COORDINATOR/iN DEMAND in NYC: seeks VOD Coord to create schedules/track/verify FOD content to meet deadlines. BA and min 1 yr work exp.  Send resume & sal req to
or fax 646-638-8415 (1/10).

JOB OPENING: SALES ASSISTANT, Chicago, NBC Universal. Organized, able to multi-task, detail-oriented, excellent comm skills. Nielsen, MRI & media math knowledge desirable. Apply www.gecareers.com , job#460895. (1/10)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH SR/MANAGER, Daytime, ABC Burbank. 5+ yrs exp, primary/secondary projects, ratings analysis; top communication/analytical and computer skills. Bkgrnd in daytime net prgrm pref. Email:
.  (1/10)

WINTER INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here.  They are posted for free, and students work for school credit only.  For more information on the specs for posting an Internship ad, email Trish at
.

WINTER INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: RADIO DISNEY NY needs internship applicants in ALL DEPARTMENTS.  If you have an interest in working with the most recognized name in family entertainment email to:
or fax 212-615-3268 (1/12)

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

SITUATION WANTED: BUDGETS. FREELANCER available for budget work. All genres: reality, game, episodic, feature films. Budgets from $75K to $15 Mil. Union/Non Union. 15 years of experience. Contact:
(1/13)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCTION MANAGER/COORDINATOR: OC/LA-4yrs exp. I do budgets, shotlists, shooting schedules etc. Positive personality w/out the ego or attitude. Travel OK. BA in Cinema and TV Production.
   (1/13)

SITUATION WANTED: FIELD PRODUCER or ASSOCIATE PRODUCER. (LA) I’m creative, have a great attitude, great credits, and know how to make good TV. Sponsorship experience too. Love games and competition.
  (1/12)

SITUATION WANTED: AUDIENCE RESEARCH/Grad Student (Media, New School, NYC): Seeks work TV/film res. Exc analytical, writing & presentation skills. Educated in research methods, strategy & media theory. Mrktng background.
(1/10)

E-mail
for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email
for specs.

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  Friday, January 6, 2006

ABC             Dancing with the Stars, Hope & Faith, In Justice, 20/20
CBS             Ghost Whisperer, Close to Home, Numb3rs
FOX             Bernie Mac Show, Malcolm/Middle, Trading Spouses
NBC             Outrageous TV Moments, Outrageous TV Moments, Book of Daniel [p]
i               Mary Higgins Clark Movie: Pretend You Don’t See Her, It’s a Miracle
UPN             Friday Night Smackdown
WB              Beauty & the Geek [r], Beauty & the Geek [r]
TELE            El Cuerpo del Deseo, Corazón Partido, Decisiones – Casos Extraordinarios, Decisiones
UNIV            Contra Viento y Marea, alborada, Así es… Gilberto Gless