Cynopsis

06/16/08

Good morning. It’s Monday, June 16, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) secured the rights to co-produce and distribute Dr. Oz, the newest project from Harpo Productions. Another “spinoff talent” from The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Mehmet Oz has appeared on Oprah and Discovery Communications programs many times and his own show will launch in 2009. According to reports, the fact that SPT does not have a built-in station group was to its advantage in clinching the bid to co-produce and distribute Dr. Oz. SPT can now offer the show to multiple station groups and a potential local bidding war could ensue, potentially producing higher license fees.

Tonight’s Premieres:
ABC Family: The Middleman at 8p
A&E: Intervention at 9p; Psychic Kids at 10p
Showtime: Weeds at 10p; Secret Diary of a Call Girl at 1030p

Primetime schedule note: NBC moved up its series debut of Celebrity Family Feud to June 24 at 8p. The opening episode will feature a match between rapper/actor Ice T and his family versus Joan and Melissa Rivers and family, followed by singer/actress Raven-Symone and family squaring off against Wayne Newton and family.

Cable Upfront Update: Lifetime expected to conclude its upfront business at the end of last Friday, writing deals with CPM increases at +9%-10% along with double digit sales growth.

Bravo’s first-ever The A-List Awards show hosted by Kathy Griffin aired Thursday night (10p) and drew in 663,000 A18-49 viewers and 1.1 million total viewers. The A-List Red Carpet Preview Special (830p) which aired for 30 minutes and hosted by Tim Gunn attracted 359,000 A18-49 viewers and 533,000 total viewers. In between these two, the fourth season of Kathy Griffin: My Life on The D-List (9p) debuted with 569,000 A18-49 viewers and 928,000 total viewers. The series moves to its regular time slot of Thursdays at 10p starting this week.

Gospel Music Channel has announced its 2008-09 programming slate and it includes more than 75% of original programming.  New series for the upcoming season include:

• Bobby Jones: Next Generation:  This one hour series on Sunday nights at 8p showcases musical performances and one-on-one chats with up coming performers.  Lisa Kimmey Winans co-hosts.
• Gospel Dream 2008:  GMC’s answer to American Idol is back for its third season.
• Comedy Quickies! highlights Christian comedians and features family friendly comedy, standup, sketches and clips.  Premiere – 3rd qtr 2008.
• Revolve! is a reality show that follows a cast of musical artists as they travel the country via bus on the Revolve Tour, visiting summer music festivals and events.  Premieres 4th qtr 2008.
• Gospel Playhouse is a musical dramady series developed by playwright/actor J.D. Lawrence.  This weekly series is set to debut in 1st qtr 2009.
• Four! is a new weekly series set to launch in 2nd qtr 2009, and showcases America’s greatest quartets.

Returning series for the upcoming season include The Kitchen Sink, Hometown Gospel, Faith and Fame and Front Row Live, among others.

Golf Channel tees up for a new original competition series called Highway 18 beginning July 22 at 10p. During 10 episodes five golfing teams will wind their way through Florida, covering 1,000+ miles, as they maneuver through challenges on and off the links to avoid being eliminated.

Speaking of golf, for those of you who watched the fourth round of the PGA’s US Open yesterday and are wondering what time the playoff round between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate begins today, here’s the schedule:

• 1130-12n:  The Golf Channel will carry pre-playoff highlights and wrap up of yesterday’s fourth round
• 12n-2p:  ESPN will carry the first two hours of coverage of the playoff round
• 2p-Conclusion:  Coverage switches to NBC thru conclusion
• Post-Playoff Wrap Up:  Back to the Golf Channel for two more hours following the playoff round.
• If you can’t get to a television to watch, full coverage of the entire round will be simulcast on NBCSports .com

Tim Russert, 58, moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press and the network’s Washington Bureau Chief died of a sudden heart attack last Friday.  Statements of praise came in from various politicians whom Russert had interviewed over the years including one from President George Bush: “He was an institution in both news and politics for more than two decades. Tim was a tough and hardworking newsman. He was always well-informed and thorough in his interviews. And he was as gregarious off the set as he was prepared on it.”  Tim began as moderator of Meet the Press in 1991 and led the show longer than any other person in the show’s 60-year history. As a native of Buffalo, NY, Tim was an unabashed fan of his hometown team the Buffalo Bills and often snuck in a plug for the team as he signed off of Meet the Press. Tim was also an author of the best-selling book about his father, Big Russ and Me. He is survived by his wife, journalist Maureen Orth and one son, Luke. Over the weekend, NBC said it had received more than 13,000 email condolences on the passing of Tim and many memorial flowers and cards left outside the NBC Washington, D.C. bureau. A private funeral and memorial will be held this Wednesday, preceded by a public wake tomorrow from 2-9p at St. Albans School, Cafritz Refectory, Mount St. Alban in Washington, D.C., according to TV Week.

Next, speculation abounds about who will take Tim’s seat as moderator of Meet the Press, especially as the November presidential election looms closer. On the short list, those named in various reports include MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, David Gregory and Joe Scarborough.

Late last Friday, NBC Universal and its private equity firm partners, Blackstone and Bain, were selected by the Weather Channel’s owner Landmark Communications to take the next step in negotiations to acquire the network. The winning bid does not automatically go to NBCU but it does take the negotiation process into an exclusive arena. Time Warner, who at one time was interested in the Weather Channel, dropped out of the bidding last week.

ABC News moved its production facility for Nightline to New York from Washington, D.C., transferring approximately a dozen jobs. Only a handful of production crew are left at the D.C. bureau including correspondents Terry Moran and John Donavan who will focus on editorial. The reason for the production transplant is ABC’s plan to re-launch Nightline in hi-def this fall. ABC News’ New York headquarters are fully hi-def operational while the D.C. facility is not.

Weekend Box Office Estimates: June 13-15, 2008
The Incredible Hulk (Universal)                $54.5 million – opening weekend
Kung Fu Panda (Paramount)                    $34.3 million – 2 wk total $118.0m
The Happening (Fox)                               $30.5 million – opening weekend
You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (Sony)      $16.4 million – 2 wk total $68.8m
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Paramount)  $13.5 million – 4 wk total $275.3m
Sex and the City (New Line)                     $10.2 million – 3 wk total $119.9m
Iron Man (Paramount)                              $5.1 million – 7 wk total $297.4m
The Strangers (Rogue Pictures)                 $4.1 million – 3 wk total $45.4m
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian  (Buena Vista)  $3.0 million – 5 wk total $131.7m
What Happens in Vegas (Fox)                    $1.7 million – 6 wk total $75.8m
Source: Box Office Mojo

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM TV GUIDE NETWORK

 .

HGTV begins production July 7 on the seventh and eighth seasons of Over Your Head, from LMNO Cable Group and hosted by Eric Stromer. This series offers homeowners help on home improvement projects they have begun and can’t finish. For the next season, Todd Davis, a finalist from the last season of HGTV Design Star will be a new carpenter/contractor. The show’s producers are also looking for homeowners who have started home remodeling projects and are interested in possibly appearing on the show. Potential participants can call 818 380-8019 or go to www.overyourhead.tv .

NBC tapped John Wells (ER) to develop a new police drama series and ordered a pilot for LAPD, a show that could take ER’s place in the Thursday 10p time slot once the medical drama completes its 15th and final season. The ensemble cop show, which has begun casting, will be co-produced by John Wells Productions and Warner Bros. TV. The pilot will be written by Ann Biderman and directed by Christopher Chulack who both executive produce with John Wells.

20th Century Fox TV made a first-look pact with Jason Bateman to develop television series in addition to producing and directing projects. The terms give 20th TV first dibs on anything Jason develops under his production banner, F+A Productions.

HBO has a Latino-themed drama in the works titled Palladium from screenwriter Franc Reyes, according to THR. The one-hour project will be set inside a posh nightclub in New York where the owner has a volatile relationship with his son. Franc is writer and executive producer and if a pilot is ordered will also direct.

Hot on the heels of its Mad Men and Breaking Bad originals, AMC added two new drama projects to its roster, reports Variety. Both projects will be included in AMC’s 2009 pilot plans:

• Carter Beats the Devil – written by Wesley Strick is an adaptation from a novel by Glen David Gold about a 1920s magician Charles Carter and the part he played in the death of President Harding.
• Ice – is being written by Christian Darren and centers on a family in the powerful New York diamond industry.

Casting Call: The CW is casting for a new reality makeover show called Glam Me Up! where the transformation happens live. The show needs outgoing females who have succeeded over personal adversity or have a great story to tell and who need a makeover to apply or be nominated. Applicants, along with a style buddy who also gets to appear on the show, must be 18 to 30 years old. Send an email to

and cc:
and include name, age, height, weight, contact information, address and recent photos including one full body and another close up along with  why you or the woman you are nominating deserve this opportunity.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   Call 2008 the digital campaign. A record-breaking 46% of Americans have used the internet, email or text messaging to get news about the campaign, share their views and mobilize others, according to a new study from Pew Internet & American Life Project. Some 35% of Americans say they have watched online political videos – nearly triple the number in the 2004 race. Another 10% say they have used social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace to gather information or become involved. Two-thirds of users under the age of 30 have a social networking profile, and half of these use social networking sites to get or disseminate information about politics. Not surprisingly young Democrats and Obama supporters are leading the trend, with 74% of online-using Obama supporters using the net to follow the campaign, compared with Clinton’s 57% and McCain’s 56%. Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  9 Story Entertainment and Darius Films, both Canadian based companies, are teaming to produce a new pilot entitled Fugget About It, a primetime animated comedy commissioned for The Detour, Teletoon’s teen and adult-targeted programming block.  Fugget About It follows the misadventures of a NY mob boss and his family as they enter a witness protection program and wind up living in sleepy Canadian town.  The series is co-created and written by Willem Wennekers (Weirdsville).  9 Story’s Vince Commisso will serve as executive producer along with co-creator and executive producer Nicholas Tabarrok of Darius Films.  9 Story will handle international distribution for the series.  Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY: Globo TV International renewed its volume deal with Mozambique’s STVSoico Televisao. As part of this agreement, the communication group will bring over 700 hours of TV Globo telenovelas, dramas, documentaries and comedies to Africans from 2009 until 2011.   Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL.

Thursday – A18-49 Analysis: ABC was successful Thursday night posting a #1 with 3.7/12 A18-49, according to fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research. ABC actually did a clean sweep of the night with its NBA finals coverage: at 8p the Jimmy Kimmel Live/NBA Countdown shows averaged a 3.0/11, while the summer premiere of Are You Smarter Than a 5^th Grader? came in third with 1.8/6. Game 4 of the NBA Finals on ABC dribbled in a winning 3.7/11 at 9p then passed to even higher 4.4/13 during 10p.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Thursday, June 12, 2008 time period averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research

ABC: 6.0/11         Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night 4.9/9, GMC NBA Countdown 5.1/9, 2008 NBA Finals Game 4: Celtics at Lakers 6.5/11

FOX: 4.4/8              Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? [p] 3.9/7, So You Think You Can Dance Results 5.0/8

NBC: 2.9/5            My Name Is Earl [r] 2.5/5, Last Comic Standing 2.7/5, Fear Itself 3.2/6

UNIV: 1.9/3         Al Diablo con los Guapos 2.0/4, Fuego en la Sangre 2.0/3, Amas de Casa Desesperadas 1.6/3

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

TELE: 0.6/1           La Traicion 0.4/1, Victoria 0.8/1, Pecados Ajenos 0.8/1

A18-49: ABC 3.7/12, FOX 2.3/7, CBS 2.2/7, NBC 1.5/5, UNIV 1.5/5, CW 0.7/2, TELE 0.5/1

Nancy Han steps into the position as Executive Producer of ABC News NOW, the 24-hour digital network of ABC News. Nancy will supervise the editorial content and production of the digital network and will report to Paul Slavin, SVP/ABC News Digital.

Contour by Getty Images hired Nora Cranley as in the new position as Lead Editor based in Los Angeles where she will manage the company’s stable of photographers along with notable clients. In addition, Kristen Wilkie was added as Manager/Publicist Relations based in the New York office. Kristen will handle all publicist approvals and clearances and work with on-spec portrait productions. She will also spearhead special productions and events like the New York Photo Festival.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM LIFETIME

This day in History: 1952 – My Little Margie debuted on CBS-TV.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: “I’m not bad, I’m just drawn that way” is a famous line from a late ’80s film. Who was the voice behind this line? KATHLEEN TURNER in Who Framed Roger Rabbit  Kudos to: Jim Bono-Hallmark Channel/NY; Cheryl Lightfoot-WT05/Toledo, OH; Sally Ann Mancuso-AETN/NY; Brian Bonder-Comcast Spotlight/Hillsborough, NJ; Nancy Harmon-KDAF/Dallas; Tom Chapman-WKRG/Mobile, AL; Jim Roche-Weigel Broadcasting/Chicago; Amanda Reading-SpotPlus/Dallas; Gary Moglovkin-NBC Studios/Hollywood; Terry Danuser-Discovery Communications, LLC/LA; Ginger Sheehy-Warren Miller Entertainment/Boulder, CO; Betsy Samuel-OpenTV/Golden, CO; Jim Van Dusen-Astral Media Radio/Winnipeg; Arthur Reinstein-Canwest Broadcasting/Toronto

Today’s Trivia Question: Who was the host of the variety show that featured regulars The Jack Regas Dancers and The George Wyle Orchestra?   (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.)

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM NATPE’S LATVFest

Later — Cyn
06.16.08

Cynopsis Ad Sales:
Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 /

Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 /

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

CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM SPEED

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

JOB OPENING: SALES PLANNER/The Hotel Networks/NY: 2+ yrs Sales Admin/Media/Res Exp; Strong verbal & written skills; Creative presentation dvlp; Excellent PPT & comp skills req; detail-oriented. Res to:
(6/21)

JOB OPENING: RSRCH ASSOC/Discovery/MD: Support Rsrch Dir & client grps. Provide written analysis of qual & quant resch, & ntwrk ratings. 2-3 yrs media/ad sales resrch exp. Ability to travel. Apply: www.discovery.com , Req#8059 (6/21)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, PLANNING/ ABC Burbank: BS/BA/MBA, 5yrs analysis in TV media distribution deals, define strategy, innovate new media platforms, apply at www.disneycareers.com (req 165421) (6/21)

JOB OPENING: DISTRICT REP./ABC Burbank: BS/BA degree, support affiliates with questions & clearances, Strong Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Nielsen experience ++, apply to www.disneycareers.com (Req 166726) (6/21)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC MGR/Documentary Channel/Nashville: Mng cable net traffic, execution of copy procedures, prep of daily logs, wkly/mnthly reporting. Det. oriented. 3+ yrs com ops exp pref’d. Res:
(6/21)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, INTEGRATED MRKTG/ VH1/NYC: 7yrs exp in TV/Adv/Media Mrktg, Strng presentation & creative writing skills. Mgmt exp. Required. Strng knwldge TV/Sales, BA/BS req, EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/21)

JOB OPENING: COORDINATOR, CS/Sony Pictures/CA: Gather ad/pub elements, support Project Mgrs. Detail oriented, excellent commu. skills, understanding of broadcast technical facilities. Apply: www.sonypicturesjobs.com ID: 10001 (6/21)

JOB OPENING: SR ANALYST STRAT RSRCH & AUD ANLYS/Turner/ATL: Exciting Corp level pos across Ent/Kids/News/Sports. Present findings to Execs/TW Corp. Solid Media math/3-5 yrs exp Apply:
(6/21)

JOB OPENING: CREATIVE/ART DIR /G4/Los Angeles: Direct Promo, Interstitials & Gfx. Must demonstrate extraordinary design & creativity. Strong creative methodology & exp directing promo shoots req.
(6/21)

JOB OPENING: SALES/MEDIA PLANNER  MARKETING ANALYST/Nat’l-Los Angeles Times Media Group-LA: Create integrated marketing plans, media research/knowledge exp required.Go to www.latimes.com/marketingjobs (6/21)
 
JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST, BUSINESS OPERATIONS & STRATEGY/MTV/NYC: 2yrs Admin exp, Exclnt PC skills (Microsoft, Excel, Powrpnt) Strg written/oral/multi-task skills & detail oriented. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/20)

JOB OPENING: VICE PRESIDENT, OFFAIR CREATIVE/VH1/NYC: 5+yrs graphic dzign exp & 3+ yrs exp Sr Art Director, Exp giving direction to dzigners/writers, Strng Typo sense, Strng Prod. exp. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (6/20)

JOB OPENING: DIGITAL MEDIA MKTG MANAGER: Execute programs, gain exposure new/existing content verticals & pkgs across ABCNews.com. Exp optimizing sites for search engine index etc. Apply: www.disneycareers.com Req 166450 EOE (6/20)

JOB OPENING: MGR SALES OPERATIONS/NBC Universal/NY:Improve sales processes, exec long/short term sales strat; collect & analyze data from many depts.; create solutions for bus. needs. 3 yrs exp. BA req. www.nbcjobs.com job# 824784 (6/20)

JOB OPENING: STRATEGIC MKTG MGR/NBC Universal-Bravo/NY: Devel & execute cross-platform marketing solutions and digital pure play, identify market trends, manage key Bravo clients. 5 yrs exp & BA req. www.nbcjobs.com job# 818867 (6/20)

JOB OPENING: CONTROL ROOM AD needed: Live, Syndicated TV Show in NY: Ntwrk/synd experience required. Responsibilities include prepping tape, gfx, audio elements, timing show/segs, & editing. Email resume:
(6/20)

JOB OPENING: TV TRAFFIC MANAGER/Metro Networks/Atlanta: Traffic Mgr. to oversee weekly TV traffic to 600+ stations. Detail oriented. Min. 5 years traffic exp. required. Resumes to:
(6/20)

JOB OPENING: SR ANALYST, Strategy & Opers/ABC Daytime & SOAPnet/L.A: 3+ yrs exp; aid in develpmnt of long-term bus strategy + processes; monitor/ control finance activities. Bachelors/MBA+. Apply www.disneycareers.com Req #164520 (6/20)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA ANALYST/billetts America/NY: Analyze media plans on both a cost and quality basis. Front-line access to top clients; Be part of a great, growing team. Please send resume to
billettsamerica
(6/19)

JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST/ABC Burbank: Min 2 yrs exp in TV/online research, apt at Nielsen/WRAP, strong written & analytical skills, college degree req. Apply at: www.disneycareers.com . (Req ID 166384) (6/19)

JOB OPENING: SR RSRCH ANALYST/NY: Diversified/fun fast paced team enviro., quantitative/qualitative rsrch, 3+ yrs. exp. Major data apps needed  Nielsen, Star Media, IMS, MRI, Simmons. Immed consideration:
(6/19)

JOB OPENING: DIR, DIGITAL AD OPS/Discovery/NY: Direct ad operations and staff for How Stuff Works sites, manage inventory mapping integrity, targeting capabilities, etc. Apply: www.discovery.com , Req#8005 (6/18)

JOB OPENING: SERIES PRODUCERS & EDITORS/Toronto: Major ntwrk background wanted for one of the world’s leading non-fiction prod companies. Proven track record in factual, adventure, reality formats. Resume to
(6/18)

JOB OPENING: SR. MARKETING MGR/HISTORY/A&E Television, NY: Manage Consumer Mktg. creative & budgets  implement strategies. BA/BS & 5+ yrs entertainment marketing. Resume w/salary: www.aetn.com/careers.html (6/18)

JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE MARKET RESEARCH MGR: Develop, manage & execute quant/qual mktg research projects, aid Subscriber Mktg in decision-making. Analyze results, reports, give presentations to teams. Reply to
(6/17)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC COORD/Comcast Nets/NY: Responsible for coordination/execution of copy procedures for VS. 3+ yrs commercial traffic ops exp req’d; college degree and BMS/VCI exp pref’d. EEO/AA/drug free. Apply: www.comcast.com 59765BR (6/17)

JOB OPENING: SVP, RESEARCH/ABC TV Network/ LA: Strategic exec w/10+ years exp; primary brand/program/market test, digital/multi-platform; sales/affiliate strategies; industry thought leader. Apply www.disneycareers.com Req 165429 (6/17)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA RSRCH JR ANALYST/Deutsch NY: Work w/ media, plan’g, acct, & data strategy depts resp for compiling, analyzing media/mkt rsrch data; Knwlg of Nielsen TV Ratings; Excel knwlg req’d.
(6/17)

JOB OPENING: PROD COMPANY INVESTOR-PARTNER: 10 million USD Television Investment Looking for an investor-partner in US for setting up TV prod. company specialized on new reality TV shows & game shows. Contact:
(6/17)

SPRING AND SUMMER 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
.

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact
for more information ….

SITUATION WANTED: LA WRITER: Available  young writer recently focused on TV commercials. Looking for commercial freelance writing or feature film writing assignments. Contact:
or 818.613.5503 (6/19)

SITUATION WANTED: Recent college graduate with BS in Electronic Media and Film. Efficient in audio and video productions. Email:
Phone: 908-268-2078 (6/18)

SITUATION WANTED: Recent College Grad looking for a position in research, production or post-production. Experienced in analyzing Nielsen/Arbitron data, producing and various editing systems. Contact:
or 732.895.2352 (6/17)

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, June 16, 2008

ABC: The Bachelorette: DeAnna Tells All, The Bachelorette, The Mole
AZTECA: Camino a la Justica, Historias Engarzadas, Bellezas Indomables
CBS: The Big Bang Theory [r], How I Met Your Mother [r], Two and a Half Men [r], Rules of Engagement [r], CSI: Miami [r]
CW: Gossip Girl [r], One Tree Hill [r]
FOX: Bones [r], House [r]
ION: Quantum Leap, The Dead Zone, ER
MNT: Celebrity Expose [r], Celebrity Expose [r]
NBC: American Gladiators, Nashville Star, Dateline
PBS: Antiques Roadshow [r], American Experience [r]
TELE: La Traicion, Victoria, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, Fuego on la Sangre, Cristina

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