CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

03/21/05

Good morning.  It’s Monday, March 21, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Bob Sillerman is acquiring Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment in a deal estimated at $174 million, in cash and stock.  Sillerman’s international content corporation CKX (which operates under the name of Sports Entertainment Enterprises) will acquire 19 Entertainment.  Fuller has signed a 6-year contract to stay on in, will maintain his title as Chairman/CEO of 19 Entertainment, will begin to take on other projects with CKX, and will have a seat on the Board.  The sales agreement included $124.4 million in cash, approximately 1.9 million CKX common stock shares and additional shares to be paid out to shareholders after 19’s audit result release this summer.  19 Entertainment owns the format rights to Pop Idol, here known as American Idol, and pulls in an estimated $1 billion annually in merchandising, ad sales, sponsorships, etc.

The season finale of The Bernie Mac Show has been scheduled for April 8 at 8pm.

Tonight’s Premieres:
Fox O&Os:         A Current Affair – check local listings
ABC Family:      Las Vegas Garden of Love at 930p

In case there was any doubt remaining – let’s clear it up. Bravo has ordered a second season of Project Runway (Miramax Television/Magic Elves/Full Pictures) and host/supermodel Heidi Klum is back on board as well. The official order is for 10 eps, and the plan is for its to hit the primetime schedule in third qtr 2005.

ABC has ordered a back door pilot called Vacation Swap (RDF Media/Diplomatic Prods), scheduled to air this Wednesday at 10p in lieu of Wife Swap (RDF Media).  The premise is simple – put to different families together, certainly very very different families, and send them on a two week vacation – the first week a comfortable setting to one family, and vice versa for the second week..  If the OTO special is successful, look for more eps to come.

ABC:

• Neighbors (Touchstone TV) has cast Ann Cusack as one of the neighbor’s wives, and Sarah Steele as their daughter.  The two neighbors are played by Lenny Clarke (Cusack’s husband) and Brian Benben.
• Untitled comedy project from Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont (Touchstone TV / Untitled ) about 30-something singles living and dating in Philadelphia, has added Sophina Brown to the cast. Other cast members include Julie Bowen, Michael Landes, Alan Tudyk, Lucy Davis and Mark Umbers.

CBS:

• Old Christine (Warner Bros. Television) starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a newly divorced mom dealing with her ex-husband and the other moms at her son’s school, has added Clark Gregg in the role of Christine (Louis-Dreyfus) ex-husband.  Also cast are Hamish Linklater and Trevor Gagnon.

NBC:

• All In (Warner Bros. TV/Is or Isn’t It Ent), a comedy project based on the real life female poker player and World Poker Champion Annie Duke, has cast Janeane Garofalo as Duke, removing the cast contingency.  Duke is a professional poker player and single mother of three, living in Las Vegas.
• Fathom (NBC Universal TV) has added Carter Jenkins to the cast which already includes Jay Ferguson as an expert diver who discovers a new sea life, Lake Bell, Rade Serbedzija and Leighton Meester.   As it turns out, the new sea life is adorable, playful, good with kids, and beautiful to look at.  It’s also extremely dangerous.

Turner South adds a new program to its daytime schedule as of April 11:  Home Makers is a 30m strip series featuring an all-female team of contractors, carpenters and designers who will transform a 100-year-old condemned home to its original glory. The house is located in Charlotte, NC, in an up and coming area.  Home Makers will focus on this particular home for 60 episodes.

Paramount‘s strip series The Insider will be down one anchor for a while as Pat O’Brien enters an alcohol rehab program, according to a statement O’Brien released to the Associated Press.  New York host Lara Spencer will fill in while O’Brien is out.

Cynopsis Query: Last Friday, Cynopsis asked if you thought the Federal Government should become involved in the ratings system – regulating and/or overseeing Nielsen Media Research? The majority of you said no. Here is a quick sample of your responses. 

First those who simply disagree ….   

Do we want the same body that does such a stellar job regulating environmental issues, political campaign spending, media consolidation, health care and drug pricing, illegal drug trafficking, immigration, broadcast “indecency”, terror etc regulating the ratings? Gimme a break! – Broadcast Executive

Are you kidding? The rating system is flawed enough as it is…our government can’t even count the votes in a system that has been around much longer than TV! Let them screw up the country and leave our TV alone. Besides….our tax money is wasted enough…this would push us to revolution! – Local Broadcasting Executive

Please show me where in the Constitution it says that you have a right to have your television viewing measured?  This is private enterprise’s (the nets and the advertisers) issue to deal with, not the federal government’s.  Rupert should sit down and be quiet and stop trying to manipulate and have everything work in his (and Fox’s) favor.  You had better believe that, had Fox not seen viewing declines in the switch to LPMs, that this would never even be an issue. – Media Buying Executive

And those who predict where such government involvement may eventually take us:

If we start having the government control the rating services they will really want to receive “Free Political Advertising” come election time!!  … We need to get back to buying advertising that makes the cash register ring. – Station Rep Firm Account Executive

If we allow them to do this, what’s to stop them from dictating story ideas and content and eventually move into other mediums?? … A better solution would be for an independent panel of industry leaders (such as Comcast, Viacom, Disney, etc) to oversee and advise Nielsen.  This would give Nielsen some structure and a checks and balances system. – Cable Sales Planner

Not only should the Federal Government generally not involve itself in the business side of the entertainment industry (imagine representatives demanding their constituent’s favorite shows be renewed or giving them federal pork),  … but Nielsen Media Research is actually fairly well-regulated by the market, especially for an effective monopoly.  Since Nielsen’s customers are few and much larger, they have great influence over Nielsen.  … There has never been a case of Nielsen Media Research acting so biased as to warrant federal interference, and so the Federal Government should step out. – Cable Network Executive

And those who suggest an alternative:

Along with HDTV capability, new TV’s should be equipped with a measuring device that can be tapped into by a regionally located receiver. It should be a transparent operation that randomly selects HH, maybe even using latest Census data. Currently diaried market info is a total crap shoot. – Station Rep Firm Account Exec

The organizations that should get involved are the American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA) and the Association of National Advertisers(ANA).  Their members are the ultimate users of the Nielsen Data and it is in their interests to ensure that the information is reliable.  … There is no doubt that the ANA and the AAAA can influence Nielsen’s research decisions positively. …  They can make a difference. – Broadcast Executive

I would expect a huge outcry from the consumer base if Federal funds were being used to create any kind of system that mostly benefits only a few key advertising & media executives and conglomerates. It’s not like bailing out the airline industry (which affects vast amounts of people – both airline employees and patrons); television viewers won’t suffer any real loss if a new ratings system means one network generates more ad revenue than another. The investment in programming will continue unabated in any event; and that’s the spirit of competition.  – Cable Network Executive

And those who see why government involvement may not be all bad:

There needs to be some  type of governing/regulation body that Nielsen needs to answer to because: There are anti-trust laws set up for almost every other industry to avoid monopolies and promote healthy competition within their own sectors, and without these laws and no one to answer to, there are numerous unexplained things in the ratings system that Nielsen has not been able to explain to par to their stations.   Also, with technology advances the  way they are and how far things have come since the days of the first ratings books, there should be no reason that  there are so many diary markets still out there and every market not a metered market, maybe not LPM but at least weekly HH metered. … Obviously having one company with no competition and no one to answer to has its downfalls and problems are not getting better.  So a regulatory board only makes sense.  – Media Buyer

Thank you for your comments!

Weekend Box Office Estimates: March 18-20, 2005
The Ring Two (DreamWorks)                   $36.0 million – opening weekend
Robots (Fox)                                              $21.8 million – 2 wk total $66.9m
The Pacifier (Buena Vista)                         $12.5 million – 3 wk total $72.3m
Ice Princess (Buena Vista)                        $7.0 million – opening weekend
Hitch (Sony)                                               $6.6 million – 6 wk total $159.4m
Be Cool (MGM)                                           $5.8 million – 3 wk total $47.2m
Hostage (Miramax)                                     $5.8 million – 2 wk total $19.3m
Million Dollar Baby (Warner Bros.)             $4.1 million – 14 wk total $90.0m
Diary of a Mad Black Woman (Lions)        $2.5 million – 4 wk total $47.8m
Constantine (Warner Bros.)                       $2.3 million – 5 wk total $70.3m
Source: Box Office Mojo

Casting Note:  Are you an outgoing, intriguing, competitive person who would make the perfect BIG BROTHER HouseGuest? Are you up for anything and everything? Are you ready to live inside the BIG BROTHER House with a group of strangers while multiple cameras record your every move and sound 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Are you willing to compete for half a million dollars against other participants as aggressive and ambitious as you are? If you can answer yes to these questions, you just might qualify as a contestant on BIG BROTHER 6.  Apply online at http://www.cbs.com/primetime/bigbrother_application/; deadline is April 8th. 

Creative communications company Piranha Productions, has launched a new Entertainment Division and named Mark Stendal as its VP/Programming and Production.  Piranha is located in Seattle, headed up by Wade Brewer, CEO and Managing Partner. Current Piranha clients include Costco, Microsoft, Pepsi, Starbucks, Williams-Sonoma and Washington Mutual, among others. Mark joins Piranha after consulting with Tribune Television, and working with Fisher  Entertainment as VP/Programming and Production.

Azteca America named Nieves Arredondo as Head of its Southwest Network Sales office.  She was previously with Bromley’s B-Interlink as Media Group Buying Director.  Nieves will be based in San Antonio.

Thursday – A18-49 Analysis:  NBC led the night on Thursday with an overall 4.2/12 A18-49 rating, according to final numbers from Nielsen Media Research.  CBS, with its 7-12m coverage of the first rounds of NCAA Basketball tourney, posted a 3.6/10, followed by ABC and Fox 2.6/7, UPN 2.0/5, WB 1.2/3.  At 8p Will & Grace x2 posted a 3.6/11, just a tenth of a rating point ahead of Fox’s The O.C. The first game(s) of the NCAA tournament from 7-930p averaged a 3.0/10.  The Apprentice takes the 9-10p hour with a solid 5.1/13, and a repeat of ER at 10p earned a time period winning 4.0/11.  The second game(s) of the NCAA averaged a 3.6/11, airing from 930-12m. The ABC lineup of wall-to-wall Jake in Progress eps (8-10p) posted a 2.4/6.

FINAL HOUSEHOLD Ratings:  Thursday, March 17, 2005, for all Networks – program averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

NBC     6.9/11   Will & Grace 5.9/10, Will & Grace [r] 5.9/9, The Apprentice 8.1/13, ER [r] 6.6/12

CBS     6.5/11   NCAA Basketball (7-930p) 5.7/10; NCAA Basketball (930-12m) 6.3/11

ABC     5.3/9    Jake in Progress 5.0/8, Jake in Progress 4.7/8, Jake in Progress [r] 4.8/8, Jake in Progress [r] 4.7/7, Primetime Live 6.3/11

FOX     3.8/6    The O.C. 4.9/8, Point Pleasant 2.7/4

UPN     3.3/5    WWE Smackdown 3.3/5

WB      2.1/3    Jeff Foxworthy: The Early Days (OTO) 2.9/5, The Starlet [r] 1.3/2

A18-49                NBC 4.2/12, CBS 3.6/10, ABC and Fox 2.6/7, UPN 2.0/5, WB 1.2/3

Friday – A18-49 Analysis:  CBS handily won all three hours of primetime on Friday night with its NCAA Basketball coverage delivering an overall 3.7/11 A18-49 rating, according to fast affiliate numbers from Nielsen Media Research.  NBC was #2 with a 2.7/8, followed by ABC 2.1/6, Fox 1.9/6, WB 1.0/3, UPN 0.8/2.  During the 8p hour, CBS was already into its 7p game, and averaged a 3.7/12; at 9-10p, as the network finished its first game and began its second,  CBS averaged a 4.0/12; and at 10p, now into its second game(s), it earned a 3.3/10. NBC was on CBS’ heel every hour of prime: at 8p NBC delivered a 2.5/8; a 2.4/7 at 9p; and a close but no cigar delivery of 3.2/9 at 10p.

Fast Affiliate HOUSEHOLD Ratings:  Friday, March 18, 2005, for all Networks – program averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

NBC     7.0/12   Dateline 7.2/13, Medical Investigation 5.9/10, L&O: Trial by Jury 7.9/14

CBS     6.4/11   NCAA Basketball (8p-11p) 6.4/11

ABC     4.4/8    8 Simple Rules 4.0/7, 8 Simple Rules 4.0/7, Hope & Faith 4.0/7, Less than Perfect 3.8/6, 20/20 5.2/9

FOX     2.7/5    Bernie Mac 2.6/5, Bernie Mac 2.9/5, That 70’s Show 2.4/4, That 70’s Show 2.7/5

WB      1.6/3    What I Like About You [r] 1.2/2, What I Like About You [r] 1.3/2, Reba [r] 2.1/4, Blue Collar TV [r] 1.6/3

UPN     1.3/2    Star Trek Enterprise1.1/2, Top Model [r] 1.5/3

A18-49                CBS 3.7/11, NBC 2.7/8, ABC 2.1/6, Fox 1.9/6, WB 1.0/3, UPN 0.8/2

Saturday – A18-49 Analysis:  CBS‘ coverage of the NCAA Tournament led the night on Saturday with an overall 4.1/13 A18-49 average from 8-11p, according to fast affiliate numbers from Nielsen Media Research. As it did on Friday night, CBS again won every hour of prime:  8p = 6.4/12; 9p = 6.4/11; and 10p = 7.7/14.  Fox and ABC tied for #2 at 8p, each posting an 8 share.  At 9p NBC stepped up with a repeat of Law & Order SVU earning a 5.5/10, just a share point behind the basketball. And at 10p, NBC again came close to CBS, with a 6.7/12 for L&O: CI.

Fast Affiliate HOUSEHOLD Ratings:  Saturday, March 18, 2005, for all Networks – program averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

CBS     6.9/12   NCAA Basketball (8-11p) 6.9/12

NBC     5.1/9    LAX 3.1/6, Law & Order SVU [r] 5.5/10, Law & Order: CI [r] 6.7/12

ABC     4.6/8    Movie: The Ten Commandments 4.6/8

FOX     4.5/8    Cops 4.1/7, Cops [r] 4.9/7, AMW 4.5/8

A18-49                CBS 4.1/13, Fox 2.8/9, NBC 2.1/7, ABC 2.1/6

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM TV LAND

Chasing Farrah, a reality series.
Premieres Wednesday March 23, 10 PM ET/PT on TV

Watch the new reality series Chasing Farrah and you’ll see: she’s an icon, a sculptor, a centerfold, a mother and an actress, but she’s definitely no angel. For a sneak peek and information on how you can win a chance to meet Farrah, go to TVLand.com.

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1891- A member of the Hatfield family marries a McCoy, ending an infamous 20 year long feud between the two families.  The feud was initiated over pig-stealing and became a common phrase to describe the heated disagreements which often transpire among personal and political rivals.
 
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  Actors who have played the title role in “The Saint” in the movies or on television include Hugh Sinclair, George Sanders, Louis Hayward, and Roger Moore.  Who am I leaving out? APPARENTLY NONE OF YOU WOULD MISS A GOOD VAL KILMER MOVIE.  Kudos to the entire free world! 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

Today’s Trivia Question:  This creature’s name was Aristotle – he was a house pet who lived in a tank and belonged to a very odd little boy. What kind of animal was Aristotle and in whose house did he live?   (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
03.21.05   5:26am

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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  MARCH 21, 2005:

ABC              EM: HD How’d They Do That? [r], Extreme Makeover [r], Supernanny
CBS              Still Standing, Listen Up, Raymond [r], 2-1/2 Men, CSI: Miami
FOX              Nanny 911, 24
NBC              Fear Factor [r], Las Vegas [r], Medium
PAX              AFV, AFV, Mary Higgins Clark Movie
UPN              One on One [r], Cuts [r], Girlfriends [r], Half & Half [r]
WB               7th Heaven [r], Summerland
TELE             La Mujer en el Espejo, Gitanas, La Ley del Silencio
UNIV             Apuesta por un Amor, La Madrastra, Christina