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WBDCD.com:  Get with the programming – online.Source: NTI Explorer, 11/25/05, US Rtg.  Fri 9-10p time period average.

CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

12/05/05

Good morning.  It’s Monday, December 5, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing.

New midseason schedule from ABC: Mondays:  Wife Swap, Emily’s Reason’s Why Not (1/9), Jake in Progress (1/9), The Bachelor (1/9) Tuesdays:  According to Jim, Rodney, Commander in Chief, Boston Legal Wednesday:  George Lopez, Freddie, Lost, Invasion Thursdays:  Dancing with the Stars (1/5)(after premiere, this will be a regular 90m program, with the final 30m overlapping NBC’s recently moved My Name is Earl), Crumbs at 930p (1/12), Primetime Fridays:  Dancing with the Stars Result Show (1/6), Hope & Faith (new time period as of 1/6), In Justice (1/6), 20/20 Saturdays and Sundays – no change. Katie Couric as the new anchor for CBS Evening News?  Rumors abound, tho all the players are mum. Would NBC want to lose its prize Today show anchor and possibly lose its #1 morning status at the same time? Does CBS really believe that Couric is the magic its newscast needs to draw in younger viewers? So many questions, and so far no clear cut answers.

Tonight’s Premiere:
WE:  I Can’t Believe I Wore That at 10p

* MORE GOOD STUFF *Dave and Oprah are good for each other. Oprah’s appearance on Letterman, her first in 16 years, helped deliver 13.45 million viewers, the largest number of viewers for Dave in more than 10 years and more viewers than any show in primetime.  As for the particulars, Letterman drew a 4.4 A18-49, and a 5.4 A25-54.  Comparatively, Leno had 6.21 million viewers on Thursday, December 1.

ESPN‘s new original reality series Knight School with infamous coach Bobby Knight, focuses on 16 basketball players who all want to earn just one thing – a walk on spot on Knight’s Texas Tech team.  The six week series is set to launch on February 19 at 10p.

Sci Fi Channel has acquired the cable rights to daytime NBC soap Passions.  The show is set to launch on February 6, airing weekdays at 9am.

NBC‘s airing of game show series Deal or No Deal with host Howie Mandel has been expanded to five episodes, from its original order of 4. The game kicks off on December 19 at 8p, and will run for five consecutive nights.

Weekend Box Office Estimates: December 2-4, 2005
Harry Potter/Goblet of Fire (Warner Bros.) $20.5 million – 3 wk total $229.8m
Aeon Flux (Paramount)                     $13.1 million – opening weekend
Walk the Line (Fox)                       $10.0 million – 3 wk total $68.7m
Yours Mine & Ours (Paramount)            $8.4 million – 2 wk total $34.6m
Just Friends (New Line)                   $5.6 million – 2 wk total $21.1m
Pride & Prejudice (Focus)                $4.6 million – 4 wk total $22.6m
Rent (Sony/Revolution)                    $4.6 million – 2 wk total $23.9m
Chicken Little (Buena Vista)             $4.5 million – 5 wk total $124.2m
Derailed (Weinstein)                      $2.4 million – 4 wk total $32.8m
In the Mix (Lions Gate)                   $1.9 million – 2 wk total $8.6m
Source: Box Office Mojo

* NEW ORDERS / CASTING / DEVELOPMENT / PRODUCTION *ABC has ordered up a comedy pilot starring Donal Logue, from Worldwide Pants and Touchstone Television.  The story is about a group of young guys living in New York City who decide it makes sense to develop a plan and rob a celebrity. On board to write the pilot are Rob Burnett and Jon Beckerman. 

Bravo has six new projects in development for 2006, all unscripted:

• Surprise from Evolution Film & Tape focuses on a NYC caterer who provides food for slightly off-kilter surprise parties – i.e., divorces. 
• This Evening with People is a parody newscast which uses the normal family as its folly, telling the story of this family as if it were a newscast. This project is from Stick Figure Prods.
• Dishing from Picture This Television features a group of co-hosts who all discuss that week’s entertainment news headlines.
• Fresh Start is from RJ Cutler and his Actual Reality shingle, where participants in this reality show leave their futures up to a single roll of the dice
• Ex Wives focuses on a group of well, ex wives, who meet regularly in a sort of self help support group.  This project is from Tiger Aspect Prods.
• War of the Wives from IMG is a reality game wherein husbands attempt to train their wives to do their jobs

Two notes from Hollywood Reporter: 

• Harvey Fierstein may be making the move from Broadway to the small screen in a comedy project with Fox. The pilot has Fierstein in drag, playing a blue collar mom from New Jersey trying to raise her kids in the best way she knows how.  This project promises to not go over-the-top as some of Fierstein’s characters have in the past (notably Edna in Hairspray), but will more down to earth.  Writing the pilot is David Richardson (Ed, Malcolm in the Middle, John Larroquette Show).
• She was once UPN’s Moesha, now singer/actress Brandy is looking to get back into the television business, this time with the WB.  In a project which puts her as a single, mid-20’s living in LA, the sitcom pilot will be penned by Mara Brock Akil, who also created Girlfriends (in its 6th season on UPN).

 * EXECUTIVE MOVES *iN DEMAND Networks has named Emilio R. Núñez as its new VP/Original Programming, reporting to David Asch, SVP/Programming.  Emilio will oversee the development and production of all original programming for the company’s high definition networks, INHD and INHD2, managing every aspect of new program development, from acquisition, talent development, program planning and scheduling, and is charged with rapidly bolstering the two networks’ portfolio of quality original entertainment. His immediate focus is on developing partnerships with established producers, developing new series and creating compelling programming blocks. 

* RATINGS *Broadcast Daytime Ratings Rankings – Women 18-49, week of Nov 21-27, 2005:
CBS:    YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS  2.0/13
ABC:    GENERAL HOSPITAL                 2.0/11
NBC:    DAYS OF OUR LIVES                1.9/11
ABC:    ONE LIFE TO LIVE                 1.6/10
ABC:    ALL MY CHILDREN                  1.6/10
CBS:    BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL  1.6/10
CBS     PRICE IS RIGHT 2                 1.5/11
ABC:    THE VIEW                          1.4/10
NBC:    PASSIONS                          1.4/9
CBS:    PRICE IS RIGHT 1                 1.3/9
CBS:    AS THE WORLD TURNS      1.3/8
CBS:    GUIDING LIGHT                     1.2/7
Source: Nielsen’s Galaxy Explorer, NTI as dated

Thursday — A18-49 Analysis:  As usual, and despite the end of the November sweep, CBS was in front on Thursday night with an overall 6.6/17 A18-49, according to final numbers from Nielsen Media Research.  Also as usual these days, NBC was #2 with a 5.0/13, followed distantly by Fox 2.3/6, ABC 1.5/4, UPN 1.2/3, WB 1.0/3.  At 8p Survivor earned a 7.1/19, overshadowing all the others.  ABC’s Part 1 of its miniseries Have No Fear: The Life of Pope John Paul II earned a slight 1.4/4.  It will be interesting to see how CBS fares with its miniseries, which started last night.  At 9p a repeat of CSI earned a 7.7/19, with The Apprentice pulling a 5.2/13. ER led the 10p hour for NBC with a 6.8/18, while Without A Trace averaged a 4.7/12.

FINAL HOUSEHOLD RATINGS: Thursday, December 1, 2005, for all Networks – program averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

CBS     12.1/19  Survivor: Guatemala 11.4/18, CSI [r] 14.5/22, Without a Trace [r] 10.2/17

NBC     7.5/12   Joey  [r] 4.8/8, Will & Grace [r] 5.0/8, The Apprentice 7.5/11,  ER  [r] 10.1/16

ABC     4.6/7    Have No Fear: The Life of Pope John Paul II 4.6/7, Primetime 4.6/7

FOX     3.4/5    The OC 3.9/6, Reunion 2.8/4

UPN     2.0/3   Everybody Hates Chris [r] 2.9/5, Love Inc. [r] 1.8/3, Eve [r] 1.7/3, Cuts  [r] 1.6/2

WB      1.8/3    Smallville [r] 2.0/3, Everwood [r] 1.6/2

A18-49            CBS 6.6/17, NBC 5.0/13, Fox 2.3/6, ABC 1.5/4, UPN 1.2/3, WB 1.0/3

Friday — A18-49 Analysis:  ABC won the night by a slim margin on Friday, according to fast affiliate numbers from Nielsen Media Research.  CBS was #2 with a 2.0/6 A18-49, followed by NBC 1.9/6, Fox 1.4/4, UPN 1.3/4, WB 1.0/3.  At 8p Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town outpaced CBS’ repeat of Ghost Whisperer, pulling a 2.9/10.  At 9p America’s Funniest Videos again won the time period for ABC with a 3.2/10, well ahead of both CBS and NBC who tied at a 6 share.  At 10p 20/20 on ABC led with a 2.9/9.  CBS’ two-hour Knots Landing Reunion scored a modest 2.0/6 from 9-11p.

Fast Affiliate Ratings: Friday, December 2, 2005, for all Networks – time period averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

ABC     5.6/10   Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town 4.9/9, AFV 5.8/10, 20/20 6.0/10

CBS     5.4/9    Ghost Whisperer [r] 6.0/11, Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again 5.1/9

NBC     3.9/7    NBC Special: The Happy Elf 3.6/6, Three Wishes 4.2/7, Dateline NBC  3.8/7

FOX     2.8/5    The Bernie Mac Show 2.3/4, Malcolm in the Middle 2.2/4, Killer Instinct 3.0/5

UPN     2.4/4   Friday Night Smackdown 2.4/4

WB      1.7/3    What I Like About You [r] 1.5/3, Reba [r] 1.7/3, Reba [r] 2.0/3, Twins [r]1.5/3

A18-49            ABC 3.0/9, CBS 2.0/6, NBC 1.9/6, Fox 1.4/4, UPN 1.3/4, WB 1.0/3

Saturday — A18-49 Analysis:  According to Nielsen’s fast affiliate ratings, which only measure time periods, not program averages, ABC and Fox tied on Saturday night, each earning a 2.3/7 A18-49.  NBC was a share point behind with a 2.1/6, and CBS followed one tenth of a rating behind with a 2.0/6.  ABC aired the Dr. Pepper ACC Championship game between FSU and V Tech, while CBS had the SEC Championship game between LSU and Georgia.  Fox began with Cops (4.0/7) and then aired a special called The Interrogation Room which scored a 3.8/7.  At 9p Fox’s AMW delivered a 4.3/7.

Fast Affiliate Ratings: Saturday, December 3, 2005, for all Networks – time period averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

NBC     5.1/9    Crossing Jordan [r] 4.2/7, Medium [r] 4.7/8, L & O: SVU [r] 6.3/11

ABC     4.7/8    Dr. Pepper ACC Championship FSU vs. V Tech 4.7/8

CBS     4.4/8    SEC Championship: LSU vs. Georgia  4.4/8

FOX     4.1/7    Cops 4.0/7,  FOX Special: The Interrogation Room 3.8/7, America’s Most Wanted: America Fights Back 4.3/7

A18-49            ABC and Fox 2.3/7, NBC 2.1/6, CBS 2.0/6

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1933-The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and bringing an end to the era of national prohibition of alcohol in America. At 5:32 p.m. EST, Utah became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, achieving the requisite three-fourths majority of states’ approval. Pennsylvania and Ohio had ratified it earlier in the day.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  What current cast member of ER was on an ’80s show of the same name?   GEORGE CLOONEY (okay, I admit it, “current” was wishful thinking)  Kudos to:  Scott Barkham-Fuse/NY; Joseph Gallante-Bravo/NY; Amy Honig/Brooklyn; Mike Greaney-Nickelodeon/NY; Anna Garcia-Zenith Media/Chicago; Laura Serbon-Blair TV/Chicago; Judy Margolis-The Ad Place/Dallas; Amanda Kilman-Ackerman McQueen/Oklahoma City; Chris Bustard-Central Casting/Burbank; Alex Petrilli-KBHK/San Francisco; Mike Heflin-Canella Response TV Inc/LA; Alissa Broderdorf-Universal McCann/LA

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

You know how when some people go to a party, they try to sneak some hors d’oeuvres into their pockets or handbags to take home?  No one at the Court TV® Providence party did that.  Partly because it’s kind of tacky, but also because we had our very own private detectives in attendance…
Check out the Parco family (and everybody else) at http://www.courttvmediakit.com/party/

Today’s Trivia Question:  What actress originally had the lead role in Coyote Ugly, but left before production started? (
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
12.05.05 – 5:17a
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JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, AFFILIATE MARKETING, OLN- Stamford, CT – Develop/execute affiliate and LAS promos for anchor pgming. 7+ yrs affiliate mktg exp at cable network req’d. See www.olntv.com Resume/salary:
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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 FNG 1363.EOE (12/08)

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JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/COMCAST SPOTLIGHT, MALVERN, PA  3 yrs research exp.  Analyze, interpret, and present data for cable Ad sales efforts.  http://careers.comcast.com/choices/searchjobs.asp enter requisition# 25278BR (12/06)

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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  Monday, December 5, 2005

ABC              Wife Swap,  ABC MNF:  Seattle Seahawks v. Philadelphia Eagles
CBS              King of Queens [r], How I Met Your Mother [r], 2-1/2 Men [r], Out of Practice [r], CSI: Miami   [r]
FOX              Arrested Development, Kitchen Confidential, Nanny 911
NBC              Las Vegas [r], Las Vegas, Medium
i                     Sue Thomas F.B. Eye, Early Edition, Doc
UPN              One on One [r], All of Us [r], Girlfriends [r], Half & Half [r]
WB               7th Heaven [r], Related [r]
TELE             El Cuerpo del Deseo, Los Plateados, Decisiones
UNIV             Contra Viento y Marea, La Esposa Virgen, Cristina