Cynopsis

08.24.09

Good morning. It’s Monday, August 24, 2009, and this is your first early morning briefing.  And as always, if you prefer to watch this morning’s news instead of reading it, click here.  

Tonight’s Premieres:
Discovery Channel: Out of Egypt at 9p
Bravo: The Rachel Zoe Project at 10p

Tonight’s Finales:
NBC: Great American Road Trip at 8p;
ABC Family: Make It or Break It at 9p
TNT: The Closer at 9p; Raising the Bar at 10p
Showtime: Nurse Jackie at 1030p

Lifetime Television debuted the sixth season premiere of Project Runway last Thursday at 10p by delivering a 3.2 rating with W18-49, a +28% increase over the season five opener. The premiere also posted a 3.8 rating with W18-34 and a 2.5 with A18-34 in addition to averaging more than 4.2 million total viewers. This opening episode becomes Project Runway’s highest-rated premiere ever for the series and in Lifetime’s 25-year history. Project Runway’s companion series, Models of the Runway premiered at 11p with a 1.4 rating with W18-49 and averaged 1.9 million total viewers.

Making an announcement late on Friday, Tribune Co. made a definitive agreement with the billionaire Ricketts family to sell a 95% ownership stake in the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field as well as its 25% interest in Comcast SportsNet. The transaction is valued at $845 million and will give the Ricketts family management control of the joint venture, though Tribune will keep a small ownership interest.

VH1 cancelled reality series Megan Wants a Millionaire on Friday. The show aired episodes featuring Ryan Alexander Jenkins before he was charged with murdering his wife and former model, Jasmine Fiore. Police investigating the case suspect Jenkins has fled to his native Canada. Jenkins also appeared as a participant in the reality series I Love Money 3, though VH1 has not announced this show’s fate which is expected to air next year. In addition, VH1 took the show Megan Wants a Millionaire off of iTunes and its website.

Television syndication pioneer Dick Colbert died peacefully Friday morning surrounded by his family at home in Boulder Creek, CA. Dick’s death came one week after he had been diagnosed with cancer. He was 85. Born Richard Goldberg on July 16, 1924 in San Francisco, Mr. Colbert’s immigrant parents originated from Eastern Europe. His father served in World War I and afterwards worked as a printer in San Francisco. Later, during the Great Depression Mr. Colbert’s family moved to the small lumber town of Boulder Creek, CA. where he returned in his later years. Early in his career, Mr. Colbert joined Universal Pictures in 1942 as a poster clerk based in San Francisco and following his time in the Army during World War II, was promoted to Booker. In the early 1960s, Mr. Colbert crossed over into television joining ZIV International, one of the first companies focused on television syndication. After a brief stint at Screen Gems, he went to work for Four Stars Television, an enterprise founded by screen giants Dick Powell, Charles Boyer, Ida Lupino and David Niven. Mr. Colbert was President/Distribution at Four Stars where he began a 40-year association with Arthur Gardner, producer of such classic TV series as The Rifleman and Big Valley. In the mid-1970s he became partners with game show greats Jack Barry and Dan Enright and established Colbert Television Sales (CTS) headquartered in Los Angeles. CTS soon became one of the top independent syndication companies developing innovative sales, marketing and production strategies which still carry over in today’s television syndication marketplace. CTS helped formulate the prime access time period on traditional network affiliates as well as primetime on major independent stations with such series as The Joker’s Wild hosted by Jack Barry and Tic Tac Dough with host Wink Martindale. At its zenith, CTS had one of the best sales teams in the industry consisting of Bob King, Roger King, Michael King and son Ritch Colbert. In his latter career days, Mr. Colbert maintained his association with Barry & Enright and helped facilitate the sale of the B & E library to Sony in the early 1990s. Until just recently, he remained a consultant to Arthur Gardner for the series The Rifleman. Mr. Colbert is survived by his longtime significant other Patte Barry; his children DJ Colbert, Ritch Colbert, Mary Colbert and Marcia Tremblay; his former wife, Jean Colbert and three grandchildren. Details on the memorial service will be announced soon. The family has suggested contributions be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 or to a hospice of choice.

Top 10 Weekend Box Office Estimates: August 21-23, 2009
Inglourious Basterds (The Weinstein Co.)       $37.6 million – opening weekend
District 9 (Sony)                                        $18.9 million – 2 wk total $73.5m
GI Joe (Paramount)                                    $12.5 million – 3 wk total $120.5m
The Time Traveler’s Wife (Warner Bros.)        $10.0 million  2 wk total $37.5m
Julie & Julia (Sony)                                    $9.0 million – 3 wk total $59.3m
Shorts (Warner Bros.)                                $6.7 million – opening weekend
G-Force (Disney)                                       $4.2 million – 5 wk total $107.3m
Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince (Warner Bros.) $3.5 million – 6 wk total $290.3m
The Ugly Truth (Sony)                               $2.9 million – 5 wk total $82.9m
Post Grad (Fox Searchlight)                        $2.8 million – opening weekend
Source: Rentrak

Hear ye, hear ye … it’s the fifth annual Tim Nesvig Fellowship and Research Fund raffle. You remember this one — if you’re holding the winning raffle ticket, check out what you win:

2 tickets – 2010 Super Bowl

2 tickets – 2010 Rose Bowl

2 tickets – 2009 World Series (American or National park)

2 tickets – BCS National Championship Game

2 tickets – Daytona 500

2 tickets – NCAA Basketball Final 4

2 tickets – Indianapolis 500

2 tickets – The NBA Finals.

2 tickets – MLB All Star Game

That’s right, two tickets to every single one of those events! Holy smokes! And the money all goes to the Tim Nesvig Fellowship. Can’t beat that. Here’s how it works – raffle tickets are $100 each, drawing to be held on October 13 at Westchester Country Club (winner need not be present). If you’re interested, raffle tickets are available to purchase by calling the tournament hotline at 213 241-7111 or emailing Julie Filkoff at
. The raffle tickets themselves are limited, so no dawdling. Also, when you call, ask about the 2009 City of Hope Golf Classic benefiting the Tim Nesvig Fellowship and Research Fund being held 10/13/09 at the Westchester Country Club in NY. They’re looking for foursomes, sponsors, dinner ticket buyers and auction items! Good luck!

Primetime Emmy® Awards Note: The final installment of the Cynopsis presents: Emmy® Awards 2009 special edition series will focus on Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama / Comedy Series, and will be in your inbox this morning around 10am.  If you’re among the nominees … congratulations!! 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE WESTDOC

WE tv made a development agreement with Mary Pelloni, former executive producer of Bridezillas which airs on WE tv. As part of her new deal, Pelloni will develop ideas for potential television projects aimed for WE tv.
 
Well-known Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada is now a cast member of ABC’s Lost series for its final season. Sanada will play a recurring role, though details of his character and the number of episodes he will appear in are not being revealed. Sanada, who has appeared in more than 70 Japanese films, was seen by US audiences in such feature films as Sunshine, Rush Hour 3 and The Last Samurai.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   Apple offered insight into its iPhone app acceptance policy on Friday, responding to the FCC‘s request for more information regarding its rejection of Google‘s Voice app and other iPhone platform hopefuls. Apple (semantically) claims it hasn’t actually rejected the app (it’s still under review,) but the company goes into great detail to explain why it has not been approved. Specifically, it says the app alters the iPhone’s core user experience, replacing Apple’s user interface for calls, texts and voicemail. The company goes on to confirm that AT&T was not involved in the decision, and that the telco has no say into which apps are approved or rejected. Google also made its answer to the FCC public, but redacted the bits regarding Apple’s rejection of the Google Voice app.   Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.    

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  CBBC is set to launch its new music comedy series My Almost Famous Family (11 episodes) on September 12, on BBC Two.  Produced by CBBC production, the series revolves around the Swann family, actually two families meshed together – including five kids, who perform as the music group We’re In Perfect Harmony and are the house band on an afternoon talk show hosed by the UK’s top teen.  In addition to mom, an African American soul singer, and dad, a British musician, the Swann family is comprised of four young teens, a bad boy rocker, a musical genius, a diva and a jokester, as well as an eight-year-old marketing genius that happens to be deaf.  The series will be showcased on another new CBBC series, Backstage (30 minutes), which goes behind the scenes on new CBBC show, on Monday, August 31 on CBBC.    Full edition: CYN KIDS.    

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM THE ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES FOUNDATION

Thursday  A18-49 Analysis: FOX shut out the competition Thursday night among A18-49 at 2.5/8, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. During all three hours of primetime, FOX led with its NFL Preseason game. At 8p, FOX won at 2.5/9 with CBS’ Big Brother next at 2.2/8. During 9p, FOX’s NFL match ticked up a bit to 2.6/9 while UNIV’s Manana Para Es Siempre followed at 1.9/6. Then at 10p, FOX dipped some yet still prevailed at 2.4/8 and CBS’ repeat of The Mentalist came in second with 1.6/5.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Thursday, August 20, 2009  time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

CBS: 4.9/9          Big Brother 11 4.3/8, CSI [r] 4.9/8, The Mentalist [r] 5.4/10

FOX: 4.3/8           NFL on FOX Preseason: Philadelphia at Indianapolis 4.2/8

ABC: 2.8/5          Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? 4.5/8, Grey’s Anatomy [r] 2.3/4, Private Practice [r] 1.6/3

NBC: 2.3/4          30 Rock [r] 2.2/4, Parks and Recreations [r] 1.7/3, The Office [r] 2.2/4, 30 Rock [r] 2.1/4, Law & Order [r] 2.8/5

UNIV: 1.8/3         En Nombre Del Amor 1.7/3, Manana Para Es Siempre 2.4/4, La Rosa De Guadalupe 1.4/2

CW: 1.1/2           Supernatural [r] 1.1/2, Supernatural [r] 1.1/2

MNT: 0.6/1          My Thursday Night Movie: Nuns on the Run 0.6/1

TELE: 0.6/1         Mas Sabe El Diablo 0.6/1, Ninos Ricos 0.5/1, Victorinos 0.6/1

ION: 0.4/1          Reba [r] 0.3/1, Thursday Night Movie: Matrix Revolutions [r] 0.4/1

A18-49: FOX 2.5/8, CBS 1.8/6, UNIV 1.4/4, NBC 1.1/4, ABC 0.9/3, CW 0.7/2, TELE 0.5/2, ION 0.3/1, MNT 0.2/1

Full-service media investment management company, GroupM has restructured and consolidated its print operations into two separate teams for its various companies in the US. The new reorganization will involve all consumer magazine and national newspaper planning and execution for Maxus, MediaCom, Mediaedge:cia and Mindshare. Print planning and buying experts, Scott Kruse and George Janson will each head a print team based in New York, reporting to Jeanne Tassaro, COO GroupM Implementation. Previously, Scott was Director/Print Investments at MediaCom and George led print communications at Mediaedge:cia.

Joe Higgins joins WFN: World Fishing Network as Director/Sales, World Fishing Network to develop television and online opportunities for the company’s clients through WFN, WFN HD and WFN.TV. Joe will be based in WFN’s South Florida office. Prior to this appointment, Joe was Founder/Publisher of Florida Fishing Weekly, a regional sportfishing newspaper that ended its run, because of the changing media landscape, with the July 31, 2009 issue.

Birmingham-based digital services company Dirextion Inc. hired Karen Braxton as an Advertising Sales Partner where she will engage and manage local, regional and national advertising clients for the company. Previously, Karen served as GSM for Charter Media in Birmingham.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

This day in History:  1939 – The leader of “Murder, Incorporated”, Louis “Lepke” Buchalter, gave himself up to columnist Walter Winchell. Winchell then turned him over to FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: Dr. Miles Hawkins, a scientist and owner of Hawkins Technologies, was shot by a cop and is paralyzed from the waist down.  He invented a suit that gave him the capability to walk and fight against corruption in the 1990’s television series M. A. N. T. I. S.  What does the show’s title stand for?  Mechanically Automated Neuro Transmitter Interactive System   Kudos to:  Bill Kossman-Food Network/New York; Luis Vazquez Jr.-Zenithmedia/NY; Kaitlyn Bergfeld-UniWorld Group/New York; Hyun Park-AMC/NY; Brian Fleming-Tribune Television New Orleans/New Orleans; Larry Glazer-WTTW/Chicago; Jeff Neinstein-Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment/LA; Paul Blutter-General American Group, Inc./Northridge; Dave Hammargren-KCPQ/KMYQ TV/Seattle; Pat Brady-CESD/LA; Chris Faulds-CTV Digital Media/Toronto; Derek Anderson-Frantic Films/Toronto

Today’s Trivia Question: Dharma Finkelstein and Greg Montgomery met on the subway and it was love at first sight.  Dharma’s parents Larry and Abby have been hippies since the 1960s.  What are the nicknames they have given each other?   (Email
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
08.24.09

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JOB OPENING:  OFFICE MANAGER/Cinetic Media & Sloss Eckhouse Brennan Law Co/NYC: Responsible for all admin & financial functs of both cos. 3-5 yrs exp in ent industry and/or legal exp a +.  Cover letter & Resumes to
(8/29)

JOB OPENING:  SR DESIGNER OFF CHANNEL CREATIVE/ Nickelodeon/NYC. 3+yrs graphic design exp. in Ent/Adv/CP, Strng Type/Layout/Color & Aesthetic, Strng knwldge NICK brand/style, EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (8/29)

JOB OPENING:  ONAIR PROMOTIONS PRODUCER/Nickelodeon Int’l/NYC: 2+yrs writ/prod exp. OnAir Promos/TV/Adv, Strng concept abilities & aesthetic jdgment, Editing skills, Knwldge of NICK brand EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (8/29)

JOB OPENING:  DIR AD SALES RESEARCH/MTVN/Kids&Family/NY: BA + 7 yrs media/cable exp.  Strong communic sk.  Proven record creating estimates; str analy sk.  Proficient w/Nielsen and related svcs. Apply www.mtvncareers.com EOE (8/28)

JOB OPENING:  MANAGER, PRODUCTION MGMT/NICKELODEON/NYC: Min8yrs exp. in prod mgmnt,budgeting,execute prod plans. EOE/M/F/D/AAP  Apply: www.mtvncareers.com (8/28)

JOB OPENING:  DIR PRICING & PLANNING/CNS/NY: Knowledge of rate cards/stewardship/sales/inventory & sports. 5+ years’ sales admin experience plus DealMaker/VCI/MSA. Apply: www.ecentralmetrics.com/url/?u=8880172701– 230 EOE (8/27)

JOB OPENING:  VP DIGITAL MEDIA/ABC FAMILY/LA: Manage bus strat, production, & ops for tv based digt’l content for ABC Fam ntwks & platforms. BA/BS req. Min 8 yrs exec lvl, leading hi-vol websites. Apply at: www.disneyabcjobs.com (8/27)

JOB OPENING:  CNBC RESEARCH ANALYST/NBCU/NJ: Provide reporting and strategic insights for CNBC’s digital media & television properties. BA &1 yr web analytics, media/ad/marketing research req. www.nbcjobs.com , job#1062313 (8/27)

JOB OPENING:  SALES ASST/BBC/NY: Coord sls/Ops of consumer prods. Dev presentations, mkt & retailer analyses, rsrch sls opp to grow accts. Comm w/partners, licensing, retailers & staff. www.bbcamerica.com/employment.jsp (8/26)

JOB OPENING:  AFFILIATE OPS REP/ iN DEMAND/NYC:  Provide internal/external customer support in collection/entry/maintenance of affiliate info.  Degree +1-2 yrs in cable.  Apply to: 
(8/26)

JOB OPENING:  ASSOCIATE PRODUCER/NYC:   Cable network seeks experienced AP. Must have background in writing and producing promos and other video materials for on-air promotions. Reel required.
  (8/26)

JOB OPENING: DVLPMNT EXEC/TWO CATS TV/NY: Notable prod. Co. seeks creative, self-starter to oversee reality & non-fiction dvlpmnt. Solid contacts, exceptional ideas & ntwrk selling exp a must. Res/Cvr Ltr:
(8/25)

JOB OPENING MGR, DIGITAL AD SALES RESEARCH/NYC: Work w/ sales on research, campaign analysis, reports & sales materials. 5+ yrs in digi agency & research exp. Prof in research tools. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (8/25)

INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. These ads are always posted for free , and students work for school credit only. For more information on the specs for posting an Internship ad, email Trish at
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FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:   Fall Graphic Intern-Los Angeles- Live TV-on air graphics & projects-Intermediate level- Adobe Creative Suite 3 or 4-Illustrator, Photoshop & After Effects-Unpaid/College Credit. 
(8/28)
 
FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:   Video news website is looking for interns.  This is great opportunity to be involved in a new start up that is launching in the fall of 2009.  Email Fred:
  (8/28)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:   Live daily talk show seeking fall 09 interns. Positions available and wanted for all departments. Script, control room, audience, talent, production mgmt & more.
(8/27)  

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:   TV RESEARCH/Warner Bros.TV/Burbank, CA:  Monitor Nielsen broadcast schedules,Prog. test scores;Attend focus groups,prep questionnaires/PC/Resumes:
   include “NENT/113987BR” in subject (8/27)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  GRAPHIC INTERN/Los Angeles:  Live TV-on air graphics & projects-Intermediate level- Adobe Creative Suite 3 or 4-Illustrator, Photoshop & After Effects-Unpaid/College
(8/27)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: WTNH News Channel 8/WCTX MyTV9/New Haven, CT:  Seeking interns for fall 2009. Students must be juniors or seniors and receiving academic credit. Visit: http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/community/Intern_at_WTNH (8/26)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  New NY court TV show needs PRODUCTION & POST-PRODUCTION interns. Post Qualifications: Mac & PC savvy. Knowledge of Avid and Final Cut Pro  Please send cover letters and resumes via email to
  (8/26)
 
FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  PROGRAMMING DEVELOPMENT/LA: Leader in television programming for women is looking for creative, motivated self-starters to intern. Cover letter/resume:
(8/26)

FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  PUBLIC RELATIONS Internship-FrontPage is looking to dvlp creative, hardworking communications & public relations students. Multi-tasker/reliable/strong writer who is knwldgble in MSOffice. Resume: 
  (8/26)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …  There is no charge for placing your Situation Wanted ad … for more information contact Trish Pihonak at

SITUATION WANTED:  DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT/NY: Idealist looking for home in dvlpmnt as an assistant. Currently seeking opportunities with growth potential. Eager and driven to learn as I work.
   (8/29)

SITUATION WANTED:  MARKETING MANAGER/DIRECTOR/LA: Marketing Manager/Director in LA with home video, television and film experience. Email:
  for resume. (8/29)

SITUATION WANTED:  MEDIA/MARKETING MANAGER/LA: 4+ years experience in media planning/buying, account management, online marketing. Familiar with brdcst & interactive media markets. Hardworking, dependable, diligent.
  (8/28)

SITUATION WANTED:  ONLINE AD SALES/ BOSTON: Results oriented leader with a proven record of surpassing sales quotas and increasing profits looking for an Account Executive position. 7+ years exp.
   (8/28)

SITUATION WANTED: 9 time Emmy winning CREATIVE PRODUCER-based in Atlanta seeking freelance jobs. Great with clients. 15yrs experience in promotional / creative TV.
/ website: www.pack30productions.com  (8/28)

SITUATION WANTED: PROJECT/CLIENT SERVICE MGR/NYC: Temp or FT. Several yrs cable on-air promo, new media & client serv/online ad ops exp.
(8/27)

SITUATION WANTED: 5 PRIME TIME EMMYS/DOC. PROD, DIR., WRITER in L.A. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email:
(8/26)

SITUATION WANTED:  Kids TV & New Media PDR/DIR/EDITR/CONSULNT18+ yrs exp invites projects. I can help create pitch reel/pilot US/EU citzn Creds> PBS Kids,History,CBS,BBC BLOG> http://tr.im/ckx7 CV&REEL> http://www.alangrazioso.com (8/26)

SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH DIR/STRATEGIST – See what 20+ yrs media, Nielsen, Hisp, research, sales, presentation experience can do for you.Email:
(8/26)

SITUATION WANTED: EIC/LINE PRODUCER with 10+ yrs exp. Variety, Docu-Reality, Game Show, Scripted, Competition/Elimination- Mngd biz of Prod. Co’s. for major TV & cable nets. Looking for next project.
(8/25)

SITUATION WANTED: PROFESSIONAL MC/COMEDIAN, 100% clean, performed at DNC/3 Inauguration events, experience with TV news/hosting, SAG commercials, announcer/character voiceover. Email:
(8/25)

SITUATION WANTED: SENIOR COPYWRITER/NY: Package goods writer with over 25 years experience.Testimonial advertising a specialty. View my reel! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PC3iZW8o48 … &can produce own work!
(8/25)

SITUATION WANTED:  Experienced FREELANCE REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER looking for work in newspapers/internet/magazines. Email
(8/25)

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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT –  MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2009

ABC:  Dating in the Dark, Dating in the Dark, Castle [r]
AZTECA: Lo Que Callamos Las Mujeres Edicion Especial, Extranormal de Impacto, Al Extremo
CBS: How I Met Your Mother [r], How I Met Your Mother [r], Two and a Half Men [r], Big Bang Theory [r], CSI Miami [r]
CW:  One Tree Hill [r], Gossip Girl [r]
FOX:  House [r], Lie to Me [r]
ION:  Ghost Whisperer, Movie: End of Days
MNT: Twilight Zone, Twilight Zone, Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed [r]
NBC:  Great American Road Trip [f ], L&O: Criminal Intent, Dateline
PBS: Antiques Roadshow, History Detectives, American Masters
TELE: Mas Sabe el Diablo, Ninos Ricos Padres Pobres, Victorinos
UNIV: El Nombre del Amor, Manana es para Siempre, Cristina

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