INSOMNIA
CONTINUES TO DELIVER ON AMC

#1 Program for the Week in its 4^th Run!

WARNER BROS. MOVIES MAKE BASIC BETTER
WBDCD.com:  Get with the programming  online.Source: NTI Explorer, HH Cvg Rtg.  Insomnia=Sat 8p, ties Silverado (Sa 12p)

CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

10/14/05

Good morning.  It’s Friday, October 14, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing. 

The name is Craig … Daniel Craig.  Who the heck is Daniel Craig?  He’s Bond … James Bond in the Sony Pictures film Casino Royale. The British actor was in Road to Perdition with Tom Hanks, the Gwenyth Paltrow film Sylvia and most currently in The Jacket with Adrien Brody.  So if you don’t know him now, you will some time next year when the 21st James Bond film will be released.

Internet VOD service Akimbo has signed content deals with OLN and the Hallmark Channel.  Akimbo charges $9.99 per month for 75 channels of service.  The latest addition to its content library will add approximately 3,000 hours of programming.

Verizon FiOS VOD service has added content from two more suppliers – Gemstar TV Guide’s TV Guide Channel and horseracing channel TVG Network, and HDNet’s HDNet Movies.

Tonight’s Premieres:
Court TV: Cutler & Hayes at 430p

Also from Court TV, the network has partnered with HarperCollins Publishers will be collaborating on three true-crime books. Each book, written by a Court TV reporter, will be the definitive, inside look at a particular crime and how investigators pursued the case. The first is scheduled to be published in September 2006, with the others tentatively scheduled for March and June 2007.  Of the three, one will be penned by Harriet Ryan, investigating the case of Jamie Penich, an American college student murdered in Korea.  Another will be by Wayne Loewe and LA writer Tori Richards. Content of the third book is yet to be determined.

MTV Networks has acquired iFilm Corp., a privately-held web-based VOD service, for $49 million.  iFilm’s programming library features content from movie studios, independent and amateur filmmakers, as well as short form video (e.g. short films, music videos, TV clips, movie/video game teasers) and has some 10 million users per month.  With the addition of iFilm, MTVN expands its presence on the web both by having another outlet for programming from its TV networks and movies from its sister company Paramount, as well as through new advertising real estate on the web.  iFilm’s CEO Blair Harrison will continue to head up the company, which will remain based in Hollywood.  Harrison will report to Jason Hirschhorn, SVP/Digital Music & Media, MTVN.  In June of this year MTVN acquired NeoPets, Inc., the owner/operator of the online youth-targeted Neopets.com where members create and nurture their own virtual pets.

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of Sept 26-Oct 2, 2005 ranked by HH Rtg
Wheel of Fortune (King World)                  7.7 AA
Oprah (King World)                                    7.1 AA / 7.2 GAA
Everybody Loves Raymond (King World)  6.1 AA / 8.0 GAA
Jeopardy (King World)                                6.0 AA
Seinfeld (Sony)                                           5.2 AA / 6.4 GAA
Dr. Phil (King World)                                  5.1 AA / 5.1 GAA
Entertainment Tonight (Paramount)          4.8 AA / 4.9 GAA
Friends (Warner Bros.)                              4.6 AA / 5.8 GAA
Judge Judy (Paramount)                            4.5 AA / 6.8 GAA
That 70’s Show (Carsey-Werner)              3.9 AA / 4.7 GAA
Source: Nielsen Media Research

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of Sept 26-Oct 2, 2005 ranked by A18-49
Seinfeld (Sony)                                           3.5 AA / 4.3 GAA
Everybody Loves Raymond (King World)  3.3 AA / 4.4 GAA
Friends (Warner Bros.)                               3.1 AA / 3.9 GAA
That 70’s Show (Carsey-Werner)              2.7 AA / 3.3 GAA
Oprah (King World)                                    2.6 AA / 2.6 GAA
Wheel of Fortune (King World)                  2.0 AA
Entertainment Tonight (Paramount)          1.9 AA / 1.9 GAA
Dr. Phil (King World)                                  1.7 AA / 1.8 GAA
King of the Hill (20th)                                  1.7 AA / 2.0 GAA
Malcolm in the Middle (20th)             1.6 AA / 2.0 GAA
King of Queens  (Sony)                    1.6 AA / 2.0 GAA
Jeopardy (King World)                                1.6 AA
Source: Nielsen Media Research

New First Run and Off Net strip Syndicated Series – week of Sept 26-Oct 2, 2005 ranked by A18-49:
Bernie Mac Show  (20th)          1.3 AA /1.6 GAA
My Wife & Kids  (Buena Vista)            1.2 AA / 1.5 GAA
Sex and the City (Warner Bros.)          1.2 AA / 1.4 GAA
South Park (Tribune/DebMar)              1.0 AA / 1.3 GAA
Tyra Banks Show (Warner Bros.)  0.9 AA / 0.9 GAA
Judge Alex (20th)                         0.8 AA / 1.2 GAA
Martha (NBC Universal)                    0.5 AA / 0.5 GAA

As you may know, we don’t like to talk about celebrities in Cynopsis, always staying clear of their personal lives, preferring not to further the gossip surrounding them.  To that end, we’ll just say this: Tori Spelling, Josh Hollaway, Paris, Tommy Lee and The Smurfs.  But you didn’t hear it from me.

Cynopsis Question:  A few years ago I asked you what you thought about networks using the lower third for promotions, up next messaging, promotional crawls, etc.  In general at the time, most figured it was a necessary evil, and as long as it didn’t interfere with the program being watched, you could live with it.  Since then, those lower thirds have grown considerably, are often animated with little people and/or animals running about, moving twisting morphing logos and show names.  So how do you feel about them now, both as a viewer and as an industry person?  Email here, put “Lower Third” in the subject line” and your collective responses will be posted here next week.

 * NEW ORDERS / CASTING / DEVELOPMENT / PRODUCTION *ABC Family has ordered 8 episodes of a drama series called Kyle XY (Touchstone Television) about a teenager with the naivete of a newborn, and starring Matt Dallas. The series is on target to launch next summer.

Discovery Channel has ordered up a new documentary series called Most Evil (Optomen Prods).  According to Hollywood Reporter, the series looks at crimes using the Stone Scale, developed by Dr. Michael Stone, a forensic psychiatrist.  The scale is a device used to help the judicial system understand the differences between different crimes by looking at the underlying psychology.  Discovery has ordered the two hour pilot plus 6 additional eps.

NBC has ordered a script of a project called Meet the Haunteds, based on the novel, says Variety.  NBC Universal Television Studio optioned the rights to the story from Platinum Studios.  The 30m comedy project is about a white family that moves into a lovely upper crust neighborhood and into a lovely house, that is haunted by a black family who lived in the house in the 1970’s.

Alexis Arquette has appeared in numerous films including Pulp Fiction, The Lords of Dogtown and will appear in an upcoming edition of The Surreal Life on VH1.  More notably at the moment, however, is Arquette’s appearance in an upcoming 2-hour documentary set to air on A&E that will document his upcoming sex change operation.  According to Variety, for over a year, cameras have been following Arquette as he has undergone therapy, undergone hormone injections and began living life as a woman.  The film also documents his interaction with family members including siblings David, Patricia and Rosanna Arquette, as well as his sister-in-law Courtney Cox Arquette.  The documentary will conclude with the upcoming operation that will complete his process. Nikki Parrott is producing with BBC4. The doc is expected to be scheduled in first quarter 2006.

Sundance Channel has ordered up three new series, per Variety:

• The Hill is a documentary series with cameras trained on Congressman Robert Wexler of Florida.  Cameras will have “uninhibited access” to Wexler’s day to day schedule, as well as the professional and personal lives of his staff.  Six eps have been ordered for airing next year. Ivy Meerepol will direct.
• Ozwald Boateng is a menswear designer known well internationally, but not so much here on US soil. Camera from Reveille will follow Boateng as he works on ramping up his reputation stateside. 8 episodes have been ordered.
• And a series from Australia called The Nominees, written and created by Chris Lilley, who also stars in the film as five different people all running for the kudo title Australian of the Year.  Lilley’s characters range from age 16 to 47, and are a mix of both men and women. The Nominees is slated to air next fall.

* RATINGS *Wednesday — A18-49 Analysis:  ABC won the night on Wednesday, according to final numbers from Nielsen Media Research, posting an overall 6.0/16 A18-49.  Fox was #2 for its coverage of the NLCS St. Louis v. Houston and LA vs. Chicago playoff games which ended at 11:03p and averaged a 4.0/11 for the night.  CBS was #3 with a 4.0/10, followed by NBC 2.8/7, UPN 2.0/5, WB 1.3/3.  At 8p ABC’s combo of George Lopez (3.4/10) and the premiere of Freddie (4.2/11) led the hour.  Tied for #2 along with the baseball game was UPN’s America’s Next Top Model with a 2.7/8.  At 9p Lost on ABC dominated with a 9.4/22 followed by Criminal Minds and Martha’s Apprentice. At 10p CSI: NY delivered a 5.3/14, ahead by two share points over Invasion and by five share points over L&O.

FINAL HOUSEHOLD RATINGS:  Wednesday, October 12, 2005, for all Networks – program averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

ABC     8.7/14   George Lopez 5.6/9, Freddie [p] 6.0/9, Lost 12.8/19, Invasion 7.4/12

FOX     8.5/14   Sports Special:  MLB NLCS Game #1 & #2:  St. Louis Cardinals vs. Houston Astros / LA at Chicago (ended at 11:03p) 8.5/14

CBS     8.0/13  Still Standing 5.1/8, Yes Dear 5.7/9, Criminal  Minds 8.9/13, CSI: NY  9.8/16

NBC     6.0/10   E-Ring 5.8/9, The Apprentice: Martha Stewart 4.9/7, Law & Order   7.4/12

UPN     2.8/4    America’s Next Top Model 3.6/6, Veronica Mars  2.1/3

WB      1.9/3    One Tree Hill 2.1/3, Related 1.7/3

A18-49            ABC 6.0/16, Fox 4.0/11, CBS 4.0/10, NBC 2.8/7, UPN 2.0/5, WB 1.3/3

Friday Fun Fact: The pupil of an octopus’s eye is rectangular

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1947-Air Force test pilot Charles E. Yeager becomes the first person to break the sound barrier.  Yeager, in the experimental Bell X One rocket aircraft, reached a top speed of Mach 1.015 over Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: In what film was John Lithgow called in to replace another actor, and completed his part in three days during a break from filming for Footloose?   TERMS OF ENDEARMENT     Kudos to:  Cristin DeVries-CBS/NY; Eileen McGuckin-Superstation-WGN/NY; Joe LaFalce-Oxygen Media/NY; Joel Nash-Carol White Advertising/Atlanta; Lorrie Shilling-AZN Television/Centennial CO; Steve Weinshel-Transistor Studios/Chicago; Margaret Branshaw-WFAA/Dallas; Don Tapani-KDFW/KDFI/Dallas; Allison J. Burt-Publicis Dialog/Glendale CA; Dennis Amino-KABC/LA; Heidi Flydal-KFMB/San Diego; Chuck Lotta/Valley Village CA; Cynthia Kennedy-A & E Televsion Networks/London; Steven Gallagher-UK

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

T hank G od I t’s S moking G un F riday!

COOTS. CODGERS. FOGEYS.It’s a fact: Americans are living longer. For some older Americans, this means even more time to get into trouble with the law. You MUST check out the “Gallery of Guilty Geezers” in the mugshot section of www.thesmokinggun.com . Just do it. Now. Please. It will make you want to mend your ways…Court TV wishes you a fun weekend.

Today’s Trivia Question: In France this U.S. television drama is titled New York District.  What show is it here?   (click here 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
10.14.05 – 5:23a
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Classified Ad Sales – Trish Pihonak – 203.381-9096 /

If you’d rather listen than read, you can sign up for the Cynopsis: In Your Ear podcast available for download each morning by 630a at www.cynopsis.com or via iTunes 4.9 listed in the podcast directory under “News.”

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Copyright Cynthia Turner 2005

Cyn opsis  CLASSIFIEDS —

JOB OPENING: SR PRIMETIME PROG RESEARCH MGR / ABC Burbank. 5+ yrs exp in P rimary ratings analysis; compu prof in Nielsen+ present/appls. Top written, oral, mgmt, organztl skills; BA req’d. Resumes:
(10/21)

JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST to SVP/GALAVISION-NYC:Permanent part-time/25 hrs wk,flex hrs OK. Must be organized, detail oriented. Strong excel + PP required. Apply:
Subj: EXEC ASST (10/28)

JOB OPENING: DIR OF ACCOUNTING/ Roberts Broadcasting/St. Louis: Financial duties for 3 TV stations. Fin. stmt & budget prep. Oversee A/P, A/R, payroll.BA deg in Acctg req; CPA pref. Brdcast exp pref. Resume:
(10/21)

JOB OPENING: MGR, MKT RES: HBO/NYC: Dev/execute quant/qual consumer res projects for HBO’s advanced dig.prod’s: VOD/SVOD, HSD, VoIP, DVRs, HDTV. Rec/presents to Affil Sales/Mktg teams.Apply www.timewarner.com job # 47560BR. (10/20)

JOB OPENING: MGR, BRAND RES: HBO/NYC : Dev/mng quant/qual res projects for HBO brand; focus on brand strategy, HBO’s Home Video business, & assessing strategic partnerships/sponsorships. Apply www.timewarner.com job # 42662BR   (10/20)

JOB OPENING:SITE DIRECTOR/WE/Long Island, NY.7+ yrs exp in TV/interactive. Dev & mng content & marketing for network website. Apply to
(10/20)

JOB OPENING: MGR. SCHED. & ACQUISITIONS/ Wash. DC: Nat Geo Channel. Dvlps primetime program sched., recommend programs for purchase, 4-7yrs.exp.TV ability to program/purchase shows.  [email protected] www.foxcareers.com . (job# fng1180) EOE (10/19)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXEC/Nielsen, New York. Sell Nielsen products to Local Stations/Agencies. Focus on East Coast markets. 5+years research/sales industry experience a must.   www.NielsenMedia.com (200502854-JL) (10/19)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, MUSIC RESEARCH, MTV/NYC. 6+yrs music ind. Exp, Pref in music media, Strng knwlg qual/quan research Xcross platforms esp TV/online, Knwlg Nielsen/media metrics A+  EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (10/19)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, ACQUISITIONS, VH1/CMT/Logo/NYC. 5+yrs ent. industry, Basic knwlg acq&contracts, Knwlg research/ratings/emrging tech, Strng Xcel/PPt, Strng Knwlg Pop Cult/Gay/Country EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (10/19)

JOB OPENING: SUPERVISING PRODUCER,DEV & PROD (2 spots), VH1/NYC. 5+yrs Prod in News/Reality/Related media, Stg Exp in Building Story&Writing, Strg Prod/Negotiating/Mgmt, Able to travel  EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (10/19)

JOB OPENING: VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS, Logo/NYC. 10yrs PR/Comm Exp Strg int/ext Strategy exp, Strg media relationships, Manage high vol&crisis, Xcllnt writer&leader  EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (10/19)

JOB OPENING: DIR, AFFIL MKTG/TNA Wrestling/Nashville: Mktg for TV prog & PPV events. Creative, versatile, self-starter, ok w/travel. Exc comm & pres skills. 3-5 yrs in Aff Mktg req. Res & cvr ltr:
(10/19)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA BUYER/ Boston Ad Agency (Waltham area): 3-5 yrs. ‘ exp. negotiating mid-to- large – size markets (TV/radio).  Email resume:
, or mail Attn: Michele Alkon, RPA, 201 Jones Rd, #130, Waltham, MA 02451  (10/19)

JOB OPENING: MTV Networks  ACCT EXEC in AFSM: Collaborate w/ the Nat’l Acct Group & Sales Exec team members to dvlp new ideas & strategic objectives resulting in maximizing revenue & distribution goals. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com (10/19)

JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST, DEVELOPMENT/CITY LIGHTS TELEVISION  NYC: Entry-level w/ potential for growth, supporting President. Must be org, det-oriented & personable w/passion for devt /reality tv.Res: 
(10/19)

JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST , Nickelodeon/NY: Support publicity efforts corp comm.dept.Dev press releases, story placement; mng events. 3-4 yrs Publ. exp; strong relationships w/ nat’l press/TV trades. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com EOE (10/19)

JOB OPENING: WRITER/PRODUCER WE: Women’s Entertainment.  Strong promo writing & natl. TV exp. in 2 or more of the following: episodics, movie promos, presentation reels. Preditors a plus. Resumes: 
(10/19)

JOB OPENING: SR. WRITER/PRODUCER WE: Women’s Entertainment.  Must know female TV audience & have conversational, witty promo writing style, extensive exp. in reality-genre launch campaigns. Resumes: 
(10/19)

JOB OPENING: MGR, AFFIL MKTG/Long Island, NY 5+yrs exp. Strat sales/mktg prof. Cable industry exp a must.Apply to
(10/18)

JOB OPENING: COPYWRITER /LIFETIME TV,NY: Creative, strategic thinker to assist in the planning, development and execution of copy in support of promotional and mktg. efforts. Apply at http://www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs.html (10/18)

JOB OPENING: MGR, NATIONAL AD SALES MKTG/LIFETIME TV,NY. CREATIVE MGR w/ excellent writing skills; 2+ yrs at a cable network in an ad sales mktg or national promotions dept. Apply at http://www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs.html (10/18)

JOB OPENING: MGR, PRIMARY RES./LIFETIME TV NY Oversee prim. res./media studies; work w/ suppliers on all phases of studies; BA/BS plus 2-4 yrs exp designing & executing studies Apply at http://www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs.html (10/18)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/Zenith Media/Irvine CA: Maintain all aspects of Acct Mgmt incl signif. client contact.1yr media exp. Exc analytical & comm skills. Attn to detail. Strong Excel & PP. Res/sal req’s to:
(10/18)

JOB OPENING: SR. PUBLICIST/National Geographic Channel-Wash. DC: Run publicity campaigns, press outreach across all mediums, 4-7 yrs. exp sr .media  contacts. Must apply on-line @ www.foxcareers.com for position #FNG1299 (10/18)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC. RES. ANALYST/CNN/NY: Multi-tasker, strong analytical/problem solving skills & MS Office proficient; media exp a+, info www.turnerjobs.com #46313; Res:
(10/15)

JOB OPENING: VOD COORD.  iN DEMAND/NY: Maintain VOD databases, distribute VOD info, prepare reports, communicate VOD info to affiliates. Bchlrs degree with 1 year work/intern exp.
EOE (10/15)

JOB OPENING: TALENT MNGMNT JR EXEC/ NYC based TALENT BRAND MNGMNT FIRM: Creative, Org, detail oriented, energetic w/ exp & passion for Fashion, Advertising, New Media, Mrktng, & Publicity. Res & cvr letter to 212-226-9791 or
(10/15)

JOB OPENING: TV NETWORK PLANNER/Galavision/Chicago– Media Planner w/1+ years exp. Strong analytical & comm. skills. Spanish speaking pref/not req. Resume:
   (10/15)

FALL SEMESTER INTERNSHIP POSITIONS are all non-paying positions (unless otherwise noted), available for school credit only. Nobody here gets paid – not even Cynopsis for the listing. To learn more about posting your Internship position here, email Cynopsis .

Internship Credits Only: OLN/Stamford, CT: Juniors/Seniors. Positions inProduction Dept.Winter into Spring. See full listing at www.olntv.com . Send Resumes to:
(10/15)

Fall Internship Credits Only: DEPARTURE FILMS/NYC: Seeking intern for NY based TV Production Company to assist in all areas including research, production, and basic office duties.Email resume to
(10/15)

Fall Internship Credits Only: CHANNEL ONE NEWS/NYC: Assist mktg dept of teen TV news ntwk w/sales & cons mktg projects, promos, sponsor programs. 3-5 dys/wk. Creative/enthusiastic/organized, Excel/PPoint. Cover ltr/resume:
(10/15)

Fall Internship Credits Only: NAT GEO CHANNEL/DC: Seeks Credit-Only Intern to support Communications dept in various duties. Knowledge of PR/Communications a + but not necessary. Email resume to:
(10/15)

Fall Internship Credits Only: Creative Entertainment Services / Burbank has internship opportunities in: Product Placement, Promotions, Ent. Event Mrktng & TV Media Advertising. Must be avail 15-20 hrs/wk. Apply to:
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Fall Internship Credits Only: Warner Bros TV Prods/LA: Assist RESEARCH DEPT with ratings analysis and focus groups. Must be proficient in excel and have strong interest in TV. Email:
(10/15)

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

SITUATION WANTED: MKTG/PUBLICITY : Enthusiastic, personable graduate w/ BA deg seeks position. Strong interest in all aspects of mktg/publicity w/in TV/film.1 yr solid mktg exp at Disney. Looking in CA& NYC. Email:
(10/20)

SITUATION WANTED: Eager College Graduate. Interested in all aspects of the AD AGENCY. Looking in northern NJ, NY city, and Philly.  Contact
  (10/19)

SITUATION WANTED: EXP. w/strng TV News bkgnd.seeks position. TALENT EXEC/PROD/DIR OF PR Exp./news & ent.include: Prod exp. ABC, ET,Access Hollywood and PR Exp. Discovery, BET and PR Projects.
  (10/15)

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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT: Friday, October 14, 2005

ABC               Supernanny, Hope & Faith, Hot Properties, 20/20
CBS              Ghost Whisperer, Threshold, Numb3rs
FOX              MLB ALCS Game # 3
NBC              Dateline NBC, Three Wishes, L & O: Criminal Intent
i                America’s Most Talented Kids, Drive Time Murders
UPN              Friday Night Smackdown
WB               What I Like About You, Twins, Reba, Living with Fran
TELE             El Cuerpo del Deseo, Los Plateados, Decisiones
UNIV             Contra Viento  y Marea, La Esposa Virgen, Cristina