Source: Nielsen Galaxy Explorer (11/24-11/30/08), Live+SD coverage area HH rating for all ad-supported cable telecasts; #1 rankings vs Sat 9-11p time period competition. Subject to qualifications upon request.

Cyn opsis

12/08/08

Good morning. It’s Monday, December 8, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing. 

Tonight’s Premieres:
BBC America: Top Gear at 8p
truTV: Maui Chopper at 8p

Tonight’s Finales:
ABC: Boston Legal (two-hour series finale) at 9p
VH1: Scream Queens at 10p

Following news last week of 500 layoffs at NBC Universal, the company also made seismic shifts to its internal organization structure. On Friday, NBCU announced Katherine Pope, head of Universal Media Studios is leaving the company; Teri Weinberg, EVP/NBC Entertainment will be reassigned. Also out by the end of this year is Craig Plestis who heads alternative programming. NBCU will also bring back Angela Bromstad to Los Angeles, who has been working for NBCU International as President/International Production in London, to top a newly merged network and studio scripted division. Additionally, NBCU is forming an alternative-focused production unit within the network led by Paul Telegdy, formerly with the BBC. Weinberg is expected to take on a production position, working with Telegdy. NBC Entertainment/Universal Media Studios co-chairman Ben Silverman is expected to remain in his post, as he is in the midst of a contract renewal.

After much speculation and “no comments” from the network, NBC officially broke the news yesterday announcing David Gregory as the new permanent host/moderator of Sunday morning’s Meet the Press. Tom Brokaw, as interim host since June following the sudden death of Tim Russert, announced Gregory is taking over during the final few minutes of Sunday’s broadcast. NBC also confirmed Betsy Fischer, long-time executive producer of Meet the Press would continue in her role. Gregory has been with NBC News since 1995 filling roles as White House correspondent, MSNBC anchor and Today show contributor.

Changes also abound with the cable news networks and their anchors:

• Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, hosts of MSNBC’s Morning Joe are now on radio in addition to television. Starting today, both will host a two-hour radio show from 10a-noon on WABC, the news-talk station in New York and the deal may go national sometime next year.
• CNN may also insert John King, chief national correspondent/White House correspondent as host of Sunday’s two-hour Late Edition, a position held by Wolf Blitzer for the last 10 years, according to The New York Times. This potential anchor switch by CNN is a move to lessen the work load of Blitzer, who as host of Monday-Friday The Situation Room is on the air 17 hours each week, more than any other television news anchor. In addition, Blitzer is close to extending his contract with CNN as chief anchor for breaking news and political coverage.

Webisodes of NBC’s Late Night With Jimmy Fallon begin at 1235a Tuesday via NBC.com. This daily video blog will give viewers an advanced look at Fallon’s new talk show and the network is also expected to announce the March/early April premiere date today. Fallon will take over NBC’s Late Night when Conan O’Brien departs the show to become host of The Tonight Show next year.

Season four of the weekly half-hour public television series Wild Chronicles, hosted by National Geographic’s Boyd Matson, will debut January 7 at 730p (check local listings) for the first time in hi-def. Each episode tells a story about the planet from the perspective of researchers and explorers and for this new season each episode will follow a prescribed storyline. Wild Chronicles is available in nearly 84% of U.S. television households on public television. The series is presented by WLIW21 in association with WNET.ORG along with the National Geographic Mission Programs, the science and education division of the National Geographic Society.

Two television actors remembered for roles in classic series passed away recently:

• Paul Benedict, 70, who portrayed snooty English neighbor Harry Bentley on The Jeffersons died on December 1 in Martha’s Vineyard. Benedict, who was actually born in New Mexico, began his career in Theater Company of Boston in the 1960s, acting alongside Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino. He appeared in several movies such as The Goodbye Girl and the Christopher Guest movies A Mighty Wind, Waiting for Guffman and Spinal Tap to this year’s Side by Each, in addition to various TV series including Sesame Street, Kojak, Maude, All in the Family and The Guiding Light.
• Beverly Garland, 82, best known as Fred MacMurray’s wife on My Three Sons died last Friday at her Hollywood Hills home following a long illness. Garland’s 50-year career consisted of roles in 40 movies, including cult thrillers Swamp Women and Not of This Earth and numerous TV series including a short-lived stint as Bing Crosby’s wife on The Bing Crosby Show. Garland’s extensive TV series roster included roles on Remington Steele, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and 7^th Heaven.

Top 10 Weekend Box Office Estimates: December 5-7, 2008
Four Christmases (Warner Bros./New Line)    $18.2 million – 2 wk total $70.8m
Twilight (Summit Entertainment)                  $13.2 million – 3 wk total $138.6m
Bolt (Buena Vista)                                       $9.7 million – 3 wk total $79.3m
Australia (Fox)                                            $7.0 million – 2 wk total $30.9m
Quantum of Solace (Sony)                           $6.6 million -4 wk total $151.5m
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (Paramount/DW) $5.1 million – 5 wk total $165.7m
Transporter 3 (Lionsgate)                            $4.5 million – 2 wk total $25.4m
Punisher: War Zone (Lionsgate)                   $4.0 million – opening weekend
Cadillac Records (Sony)                               $3.5 million – opening weekend
Role Models (Universal)                               $2.6 million – 5 wk total $61.7m
Source: Box Office Mojo

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM DISH NETWORK MEDIA SALES

.

Another British actor is eyeing a prominent role on an American television series, as Joseph Fiennes is in talks to lead the ABC drama pilot Flash Forward, cites THR. John Cho is also in negotiations to co-star in the sci-fi pilot about the turmoil that ensues after the world blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 second followed by a strange vision of the future. Fiennes would play Mark Banford, a recovering alcoholic FBI agent who tries to figure out the mysterious happenings and Cho would play FBI agent Dominic Witten, who is Mark’s partner and friend.

The CW is moving forward in development on a spinoff of Gossip Girl, and will possibly use an episode from the series yet this year to introduce the new series. The target for the new series would likely not be Gossip Girl’s main character Jenny Humphrey played by Taylor Momsen or the recent book spinoff called The It Girl, but perhaps center on one of the nine regular characters or a new character who will yet debut. Warner Bros. Television and Alloy Entertainment is behind Gossip Girl.

WE tv will open a new original series in first quarter 2009 titled I Want to Save Your Life, per Multichannel News. During eight 30m episodes, the undercover intervention series will attempt to save the life of an overweight person whose family is concerned for their well-being. Behavior modification expert Charles Platkin will follow the subject, observing their habits then work with them providing a healthy lifestyle plan. High Noon Entertainment produces.

TBS approved a 30m late-night pilot hosted by Harland Williams that would offer a modern take on vaudeville, per THR. The TBS Comedy Roadshow from TBS Productions would travel to historic vaudeville theatres showcasing local talent in a mixture of stand-up comedy, novelty acts, musical performances, short-form videos and animated shorts. Page Hurwitz and Javier Winnik would executive produce.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  Jimmy Fallon will begin his dry run as the host of NBC‘s Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on Monday in the first of a series of 5-minute video blogs on NBC.com, reports B&C. New installments will be posted every weeknight at 12:30 a.m., to coincide with show’s official slot. Variety has Jimmy officially taking over for Conan O’Brien on March 2. Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY: Remember earlier this fall when a US judge found in favor of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. in their copyright case against RDR Books and author Steven Vander Ark, which planned to publish a reference book titled The Harry Potter Lexicon?  Well, RDR had recently filed an appeal in the case, but as of Friday has withdrawn it and announced plans to publish a book titled The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction and Related Materials on January 12, according to Publishers Weekly.  Written by Vander Ark, the new title was created using the guidelines set out by the judge in his opinion that would avoid any copyright infringements, and will include content from Vander Ark’s website as well as new content and a mix of material. Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  The Walt Disney Company‘s Southeast Asian division teamed up with UTV Software Communications Ltd‘s founders to buy additional percentages in the company.  The 22.65% acquisition will give the two companies a combined share of 83.25% with Disney holding over 50%.  Despite co-owning a majority share, Disney has decided to continue acting as a junior partner as regards UTV’s operations.  It will also remain with its 3 out of 12 seat on UTV’s board of directors.  Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL.

Thursday – A18-49 Analysis: ABC headlined Thursday night winning with a 4.1/11 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. CBS did best during 8p with Survivor at 3.9/11 with ABC in second place with Ugly Betty at 2.6/7. ABC was sitting pretty the rest of the night as Grey’s Anatomy won at 9p with 5.5/14 with CBS’ CSI next at 4.6/12; then the ABC Barbara Walters special topped at 10p with 4.2/11 followed this time by NBC with ER at 3.2/9.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Thursday, December 4, 2008 time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

CBS: 8.4/13        Survivor: Gabon 7.5/12, CSI 10.7/16, Eleventh Hour 7.0/12

ABC: 8.1/13          Ugly Betty 5.7/9, Grey’s Anatomy 10.0/15, Barbara Walters Presents: 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008 8.7/15

NBC: 4.5/7           My Name is Earl 3.9/6, Kath & Kim 3.2/5, The Office 4.9/7, 30 Rock 4.3/7, ER 5.3/9

FOX: 2.4/4           Kitchen Nightmares [r] 2.3/4, Kitchen Nightmares [r] 2.6/4

UNIV: 2.2/3          Cuidado con el Angel 2.4/4, Fuego en la Sangre 2.4/4, La Rosa de Guadalupe 1.6/3

MNT: 1.4/2           My Thursday Night Movie: Driving Miss Daisy 1.4/2

CW: 1.3/2            Smallville [r] 1.4/2, Supernatural [r] 1.2/2

TELE: 0.7/1          Dona Barbara 0.5/1, El Rostro de Analia 0.7/1, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso 0.9/2

A18-49: ABC 4.1.11, CBS 3.8/10, NBC 3.1/8, UNIV 1.7/5, FOX 1.6/4, CW 0.8/2, MNT 0.6/2, TELE 0.6/2

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM PEABODY AWARDS

This day in History:  Born on this day: Sammy Davis, Jr. (1925), Flip Wilson (1933), Jim Morrison (1943), Greg Allman (1947), Kim Basinger (1953), Teri Hatcher (1964), Sinead O’Connor (1966)

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  Put on your Way Back Hat and see if you can answer this one – Thorny Thornberry was the neighbor with a knack for giving ill-timed advice on which classic sitcom? OZZIE & HARRIET Kudos to: Nanette Anderson-Digital Media/Silver Spring, MD; Kathy Raab-Retirement Living TV/Baltimore, MD; Cheryl Chaves-CBS Television Stations/NY; Brian Joesten-Verizon Communications/NY; Ed Worthington-Worthington Productions/Horseshoe Bend, AR; Chuck McIntosh-BancorpSouth/Tupelo, MS; Patrick Gulotta-Intersport/Chicago; Crystal Roberts-BET Networks/Chicago; John Amato-“Good Day L.A.”/LA; Steve Rubin-Fast Carrier Pictures/LA; Scott Wissner-Scott Wissner Casting/LA; David Garber-Linzack Productions/Woodland Hills, CA; Robt. Bittman-SCTV/ Toronto

Today’s Trivia Question:  On the Lifetime series Blood Ties, 480-year-old vampire, Henry Fitzroy, is said to be the illegitimate son of whom?   (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
12.08.08

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom – 646-468-6180 /

Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 /

Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 /

Cynopsis website – Video Resumes, Extended Classified Ads, Archives, and the Cynopsis Daily Video

To subscribe to any Cynopsis edition(s) click here . 
To unsubscribe , click here or click the button at the end of this email.

CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here

Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here    .

JOB OPENING: STRATEGIC MARKETING MANAGER/SciFi/NBCU/NY: Develop and execute cross-platform marketing solutions to drive revenue to SCI FI and SCIFI.com. BA & 5 yrs industry exp. www.nbcjobs.com , job#853374 (12/12)

JOB OPENING: ANALYST, RESEARCH/Music Choice-Support sales, mktg& prgmg across multiple platforms w/ accurate & actionable research. BA/BS 2-4 yrs media research exp. req.
(12/12)

JOB OPENING: VP/PROD/ Leading CDN non-fiction Prod Co: Oversee variety of Factual & Fact Ent prgrms. Successful candidate must possess strong budget dvpmnt/mgmnt skills. Prior exp w/ est. brdcstr pref’d. Res to:
(12/12)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA INDUSTRY BUSINESS SYSTEMS ANALYSTS. Multiple-NYC: Exp. w/ad sales, traffic, programming, production, rights mgmt. and requirements gathering. Use case development a plus. Apply to:
(12/12)

JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE MKTG MGR/NY: Spanish-fluent mgr to dvlp affil materials incl. cross-channel, web, VOD, etc. Direct agencies, support sales staff, mng budget, US Hispanic mktg experience req. EOE
(12/11)

JOB OPENING: SR SCHED./Discovery/MD:Resp for sched daytime/manage acquisitions process. Min 3yrs exp in scheduling, programming, research. Apply: www.discovery.com #8386. No relo. (12/10)

JOB OPENING: SR DIRECTOR of SALES/Vancouver, Canada: Bus development & key account mngmnt; knwldg of LA Film business & North American post production communities. 10 yrs exp in sales/mktg. Apply to:
(12/10)

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
.

WINTER/SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: RLR Associates Ltd. seeks intern w/interest in Sports & Ent with strong creative & writing skills. Rsch./writng/broadcast reels/website updates/mkting. 2-3 days/wk Resume to Bella:
(12/10)

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: PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR (NY) Ultra creative, vast experience, all genres, all networks, reality, major cable, award winning and fun!
(12/13)

SITUATION WANTED: INTERNAT’L TV DEVELOPMENT/PRODUCTION VP available for immediate offshore placement. VP US studio experience in format sales, sit-com, drama, telenovela series development/production. Contact:
(12/13)

SITUATION WANTED: Over 200 industry awards.creative director/director advertising, digital content & broadcast. Available for freelance or perm. Reel & resume: www.jillsalvino.com or contact
(12/13)

SITUATION WANTED: MEDIA PLANNER/BUYER/SUP with 15 years exp(Broadcast/Print/Online)available for permanent/temporary assignments. Tampa/ATL/LA based. Call 941-224-9302or email me at
(12/13)

SITUATION WANTED: FREELANCE AP/COORDINATING PRODUCER/RESEARCHER. Possess solid project mgmt, R & D, production, licensing skills.13 yrs exp. Credits incl.films that won DuPont, Sundance, Emmy awards.email:
(12/13)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/SHOOTER w/ exp. in casting, field & post production seeks employment as an associate, field or segment producer. Past credits include MTV, ESPN, CBS & ABC.  Email at
(12/13)

SITUATION WANTED: Shooting in NY? Need a great PRODUCTION ASSISTANT? For trained, experienced and motivated PA’s who are certified by the NYC Mayor’s Office call the MINY hotline 24/7 at 718-757-5816. Our service is FREE. (12/12)

SITUATION WANTED: MKTG/ADV/PROMOTIONS/NYC prof w/exp in ent & TV seeks opp. w/ agency/network/prod. company. Skills: Web Analytics,SEM, Event Prod., Premiums,Re-branding.Email:
(12/12)

SITUATION WANTED: EXCEPTIONAL MARKETING PRO adept at strategy, project management & implementation, whatever needed. Good thinking! Smart, savvy, hands-on, good humor. Freelance, part- or full-time.
(12/12)

SITUATION WANTED: Creative and professional AVID AND FCP EDITOR with 9+ years experience in broadcast, promos, and documentaries looking to add to his NYC-area client base. Reel at www.chrisguido.net . Contact
(12/12)

SITUATION WANTED: DOCUMENTARY PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER in L.A. Five prime time Emmy Awards. National Geographic on NBC and PBS. Discovery, History Channel and MSNBC. Contact email:
(12/12)

SITUATION WANTED: TV DEVELOPMENT EXEC: nonfiction programming, with hits airing now, seeks Manager/Director position at Prod. co. or Network. Most recently was Manager at a Prod. co. (LA based, but would relocate)
(12/12)

SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH DIRECTOR-20+ yrs media, Nielsen, Hisp, & sales experience. Let me be your “Remote RD” for competitive, one-sheets, breakouts, Nielsen probs, etc. Avail – contract basis. Email:
(12/12)

SITUATION WANTED: MKTG CONSULTANT/FREELANCE/NY professional w/ 15+ yrs exp sales/ mktg/sponsorship/product placement in entertainment industry & family/kid oriented universe seeks FT/PT or proj based.
(12/12)

SITUATION WANTED: TONY NOM. B’WAY PROD/THEATRE CONSULT/ACQUIS. & DEV./NYC 30+ yrs exp. in theatre. Superb theatre/film/TV contacts seeks FT or Consulting Position w/Studio/Prod Co. looking for properties. Contact:
(12/11)

SITUATION WANTED: ASSOCIATE PRODUCER/NY: With extensive experience in advertising, film, , and web. Proficient with Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, MS office. Will Travel. www.jlr-media.com (12/10)

SITUATION WANTED: ORIGINATIVE KIDS TV PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/EDITOR w/ 18+ yrs hands-on exp. Seeks agent & TV/new media projects. Credits: PBS Kids (Buster, Fetch!, Zoom), History, CBS, BBC. Screen reels & CV: http://www.alangrazioso.com (12/10)

SITUATION WANTED: FIELD PRODUCER/ DIRECTOR: Docusoap, Makeover, Lifestyle Infotainment,Feature Doc formats. Resonant leader, excellent director/ writer, strong storyteller and showrunner. 8+ yrs. Will travel.
(12/10)

SITUATION WANTED: MKTG/ADVERTISING/PROMOTIONS/NYC professional w/exp in entertainment & TV seeks opp. w/ agency/network/prod. company. Skills: Web Analytics, SEM, Event Prod., Premiums, Re-branding. Email:
(12/10)

SITUATION WANTED: UPFRONT FREELANCER/PROJ MGR with 15+ cable TV mktg experience. Can also help with ad sales, consumer and affil mktg related projects inc. promotions, sweeps, events, proposals, trade shows.
(12/10)

SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH DIRECTOR, network experience (ad sales/prog/mktg), sales estimate expert, all Nielsen software, MRI, MS suite, supervisory exp., references. Full-time or consulting.
(12/10)

SITUATION WANTED: ASSOC MEDIA DIRECTOR 15+ years exp. with most media. Strong overall background particularly b-2-b and retail. Agency or client side, also consider vendor-side mktg position.
(12/10)

SITUATION WANTED: TRAFFIC MANAGER with over 12 years exp seeks position in Radio/TV/Entertainment or traffic software in NY/NJ Area only.  
(12/9)

SITUATION WANTED: FILM/TV/ENT PR/NYC: Seeking F/T or Freelance opps. Write press releases/pitch to targeted print/online & brdcst media, track news clips, editorial calendar opps, build press lists w/Cision
(12/9)

SITUATION WANTED: SR OPERATING EXEC w/deep knowledge of media business ops, ad sales, finance, research, programming.Able to identify strategic and operating opportunities, recognize risks and take action. relo
(12/9)

SITUATION WANTED: Emmy Award-winning WRITER/PRODUCER short-form animation & digital content, available for freelance writing/producing work. Reel & resume: www.elliotblake.com or contact
(12/9)

E-mail
for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact
for more information ….

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

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT –  Monday, December 8, 2008

ABC: A Charlie Brown Christmas [r], Boston Legal
AZTECA: Camino a la Fama, Historia Detras del Mito, Al Extremo
CBS: The Big Bang Theory [r], How I Met Your Mother [r], Two and a Half Men [r], Worst Week [r], CSI: Miami [r]
CW: Gossip Girl, Privileged
FOX: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Prison Break
ION: Boston Legal, NCIS, NCIS
MNT: My Monday Night Movie: Blizzard
NBC: Chuck, Heroes, My Own Worst Enemy
PBS: Antiques Roadshow, Boomer Century:1946-2046 [r]
TELE: Dona Barbara, El Rostro de Analia, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso
UNIV: Cuidado con el Angel, Fuego on la Sangre, Cristina

Cynopsis Media LLC
One Corporate Drive, Suite 724
Shelton, CT 06484
203.926.9878

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free. Copyright Cynopsis 2008