CYNTHIA TURNER’S
CYNOPSIS

11/29/04

Good morning. It’s Monday, November 29, 2004, and this is your first early morning briefing.

NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol was seriously injured in a small plane crash in Montrose, CO near Telluride, yesterday, and according to reports on NBC affiliate KUSA/Denver he is expected to be okay.  The plane crashed during takeoff, killing the pilot and co-pilot, and one other passenger. The flight’s manifest listed six people on board.  Ebersol was traveling with his two sons, the elder has also been hospitalized and expected to be fine; the other younger son is missing according to the most recent overnight reports. According to an eyewitness report, both Dick Ebersol and his eldest son were seen walking after the crash, clearly in shock, before being taken by ambulance to area hospitals.

NBC led the charge on Tuesday evening with a 4.7/12 overall A18-49 rating according to Nielsen Media Research.  NBC’s The Biggest Loser was the biggest winner 8-930p averaging a 4.2/11 for the 90m stretch. WB’s movie, Samantha – An American Girl Holiday, did well among hte youngest set –  girls 6-11 averaged a 5.3/17, and girls 2-11 a 3.8/13. Amazing Race on CBS won the 9p hour, with According to Jim (4.2/11)and Rodney (3.9/9) following at #2. Fox’s newbie series The House earned a 2.6/6. Law & Order SVU was well ahead for the 10p hour with a 6.0/16, while NYPD Blue posted a 3.8/10, followed by Judging Amy 2.7/7.

ABC was in front on Thanksgiving Eve with a 3.9/11 A18-49 rating in the fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research. NBC was a close #2 with a 3.5/10, followed by CBS 3.3/9, Fox 2.5/7, UPN 1.8/5, WB 1.3/5. ABC began the evening with the 2-hour finale of The Bachelor, drawing a 3.2/10 for the first hour. NBC bested that with its Tim McGraw special culling a 3.7/11. At 9p the final hour of the finale of The Bachelor earned a 4.3/12, well ahead of its closest competition from both NBC and CBS, each pulling a 9 share. Fox’s American Idol Christmas Special delivered a soft 2.1/6 (where’s Clay Aiken when you need him?). CBS jumped ahead at 10p with CSI :NY  posting a 4.6/13. ABC’s The Bachelor: After the Rose special was a close #2 with a 4.2/12, while Law & Order brought up the rear with a 3.6/10. (“Law & Order brought up the rear” – a phrase you probably haven’t heard before.)

Thanksgiving evening was a win for CBS with its standard Thursday night lineup pulling a substantial 6.9/19 A18-49 rating according to fast affiliate numbers from Nielsen Media Research.  NBC was #2 overall with a 4.8/13, followed by Fox 3.6/10, ABC 2.8/8, UPN 1.5/4, WB 0.5/1.  At 8pm Survivor dominated with a 6.1/18, well ahead of #2 Fox’s first hour of Spiderman (3.9/11).  At 9pm CSI pulled another stunning win with a 8.4/22, seven share points ahead of NBC’s The Apprentice (5.5/14).  At 10p CBS’s repeat of Without a Trace beat Seinfeld on NBC.  WOT averaged a 6.3/17 for the hour, while the Seinfeld Story on NBC delivered a 5.8/16.

CBS and Fox tied on Friday night, each posting a 2.8/9 A18-49 according to fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research.  At 8pm Fox was in front with the first hour of its movie Mr. Deeds earning a 2.6/8, in a share point tie with CBS’s Joan of Arcadia (2.4/8). At 9p Fox and NBC again were neck and neck, Fox ahead this time by a tenth of a rating point (3.0/9 vs. 2.9/9).  At 10p CBS head the clear lead with a repeat of CSI 4.0/12, while NBC was #2 for the final hour of the 2-hour Tom Brokaw Dateline special 3.0/9.

While Fox did not run its traditional Saturday night schedule, it still held its other tradition of winning the night.  Fox won with a 3.2/9 A18-49 ahead of ABC’s 3.0/9, CBS 2.2/6 and NBC 1.9/5. ABC led in the first hour of prime with a 2.9/9, just a tenth ahead of Fox’s movie in the hour (2.8/9). Fox pulled ahead in the second hour with a 3.6/10 over ABC’s 3.2/9.  At 10p ABC moved ahead with a 2.9/8, followed by CBS 2.5/7 and NBC 2.2/6.

Tonight’s Premiere: 
Nick at Nite:  Family Face Off: Hollywood at 9pm

Casting / Development / Production

• A US version of the UK’s Murphy’s Law may make its way stateside with a pilot anticipated by next year.  Touchstone Television is developing the currently nameless American edition of the BBC1 drama series with its recent format acquisition from UK-based Tiger Aspect.  Touchstone’s Jeff Kline and Alison Cross are optioning the American format rights.  Rumor has it that Fox is interested.  Andrew Zein and Greg Brenman (Tiger Aspect) will exec produce the new series.  Side note…BBC1 has ordered up a third season of the original written by Colin Bateman and starring James Nesbitt.
• ABC has signed director Robert Weide (Curb Your Enthusiasm) to a development deal that will have him direct two projects over the course of a twelve month period, beginning in mid-2005, as well as pen and develop his own. 
• WB has signed standup comic Bret Ernst to a development deal for a comedy project based on Ernst’s act. Writer/producers Barry Kemp and Eric Lapidus will develop and write the script, so says Hollywood Reporter.

DirecTV may pull the plug on cable net Trio on December 31 unless it can come to terms on a renewal deal. DirecTV represents 12 million homes to Trio, which is currently available in a total of approx 20 million.

On one hand you have Disney, out banging the boards looking for their new CEO to succeed Eisner.  On the other hand you have News Corp.’s CEO Peter Chernin.  News Corp. filed papers with the Securities and Exchange Commission last week which laid out Chernin’s employment deal at News Corp. and contained within that deal is Chernin is permitted to seek alternative employment as top mouse (?) at a publicly traded company with no backlash to him. If, however, he’s looking at the top job of a company that is not publicly traded, or is a unit of a larger entity, he must first get Murdoch’s okay and provide 6 months notice.

Nick at Nite will debut its newest original series, Family Face Off: Hollywood (Telepictures/Empty Nest Prods) with hosts John Salley and Amy Davidson, tonight at 9pm.  Created by NAN’s Gary Engel and David Rieth, the show features 6 families all competing in various challenges that takes them all over Hollywood in various mental and physical elimination tests. All of the challenges have television and film at their core – scaling the Warner Bros. water tower, giant puzzles of favorite television series, etc.  The winning family is sent to Hawaii to recover.

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY 5-DAY Weekend Box Office Estimates: November 24-28, 2004
National Treasure (Buena Vista)         $42.5 million – 2 wk total $87.9m
The Incredibles (Buena Vista)           $33.2 million – 4 wk total $214.7m
Christmas w/the Kranks (Sony/Revolution) $32.0 million – opening weekend
The Polar Express (WB)          $27.2 million – 3 wk total $82.2m
SpongeBob SquarePants (Paramount)       $23.4 million – 2 wk total $58.6m
Alexander (Warner Bros.)                $22.6 million – opening weekend
Bridget Jones:Edge of Reason (Universal) $9.1 million – 3 wk total $32.5m
Finding Neverland (Miramax)             $6.5 million – 3 wk total $7.8m
Ray (Universal)                         $5.0 million – 5 wk total $65.0m
After the Sunset (New Line)             $4.6 million – 3 wk total $24.6m
Source: Box Office Mojo

Cynopsis Backstage: Wonder what really happens on the set of a reality home makeover show? Me too, bunches of times.  Naturally I’ve wondered – nay assumed – there was outside help, direction, guidance, particularly if the team got behind on time or stuck in a construction quandary. This was our chance to find out if it was all TV smoke and mirrors – or in this case, sawzalls and nail guns – or if things really were done unassisted.  Last August my family and I were invited by exec prod Thom Beers to visit the set of Monster House (Original Prods) for the taping of the episode Egypt House (airs tonight at 8pm, Discovery Channel).  The set-up was impressive – a large mobile fully loaded tool shop is set up under tents, all its contents neatly organized into drawers and boxes with labels.  None of the builders are permitted to use their own tools for safety reasons, but rather are fully outfitted by the on-site tool shop.  The staff Construction Supervisor oversees the hand tools and all power tools, as well as watches the build team to be sure all safety precautions are followed, and everything they’re building meets relevant building codes. 

We watched the demo of the living room, bar and the outside pergola/aging hot tub, which all came down surprisingly fast, and we were on site to watch the beginning of the build.  In short order, the director saw the builders had made a strategy choice that could set them back several hours if allowed to proceed, and potentially cause the team not complete the build by the Friday midnight deadline.  A bad choice that early on Day 1 could put the team in the hot seat for the remainder of the week.  A quiet aside between the episode director, the show’s host Steve Watson, and series producer Dan Jackson quickly convened (with Turner clan listening in).  After a brief conversation they decided the builders’ choice caused no harm to themselves or to the build, and therefore the decision was to let them continue, come what may.  After all, this is a game (the builders win tools if they successfully complete the build in 5 days) and to be fair, they must accomplish their task without outside influence.  We were told by host Steve Watson that personalities of the team quickly come into play – the leaders, the followers, the pains in the neck – and tonight’s episode was no different.  Keep an eye out for the older builder in black – the talkative one.  We came and went several times over the course of the 5-day build and were always surprised by the amount of work to be done and that actually got done.  Obviously, I’m not going to reveal if they won or the family’s reaction to their new and monster-ized home. While I cannot speak from personal experience about any other reality show, I will tell you Monster House is a straight up operation, which makes it all that much more fun.

Casting Call:  A&E‘s newest project is looking for a couple (ages 25-45) where the wife/girlfriend will play various pranks on her significant other under the watching eyes of hidden cameras over the course of a weekend.  Pranks like convincing him to watch a chick movie over the football game, etc. Candidates must be together for a minimum of 8 months, the longer the better, and live in the tri-state area (tho not in Manhattan burough).  Auditions will be in NYC some time in the next three weeks.  If you can keep a secret and not spill it to him now, or any time before the big reveal, then send an email as to why you should be considered along with a picture of you both to Robert Russell at
.  Good luck ladies!

Mitch Metcalf has been upped to EVP/Program Planning and Scheduling for NBC, reporting to Kevin Reilly, Pres/NBC Entertainment. Under Mitch’s perusal will be all of the NBC broadcast schedule, including all dayparts.

Tuesday, November 23, 2004. Fast Affiliate Ratings for all Networks – time period averages.  Source Nielsen Media Research. Time Period Averages Only. [p] = Premiere; [o] = Original; [r] = Repeat

CBS     7.9/13  NCIS 9.4/15, The Amazing Race 7.1/11, Judging Amy 7.3/12

NBC     7.4/12  The Biggest Loser 6.4/10, Scrubs 5.2/8, Law & Order: SVU 10.1/17

ABC     6.4/10  My Wife and Kids 5.7/9, George Lopez 5.6/9, According to Jim 7.4/11, Rodney 6.7/10, NYPD Blue 6.5/11

FOX     3.2/5   The Rebel Billionaire 2.6/4, House 3.8/6

WB      3.9/6   Movie Special: Samantha – An American Girl Holiday (OTO) 3.9/6

UPN     2.0/3   All of Us 2.1/3, Eve 2.1/3, Veronica Mars 1.8/3

A18-49  NBC 4.7/12, ABC 3.6/10, CBS 3.6/9, FOX 2.3/6, WB 1.7/5, UPN 1.2/3

Wednesday, November 24, 2004. Fast Affiliate Ratings for all Networks – time period averages.  Source Nielsen Media Research. Time Period Averages Only. [p] = Premiere; [o] = Original; [r] = Repeat

NBC     7.5/13  Tim McGraw: Here and Now (OTO) 6.4/11, The West Wing 7.6/12, Law & Order 8.5/14

ABC     6.8/11  The Bachelor [F] 6.7/11, The Bachelor: After the Rose (OTO) 7.0/12

CBS     6.5/11  60 Minutes 5.5/9, King of Queens 6.2/10, Center of the Universe 5.5/9, CSI: NY 8.2/14

FOX     3.6/6   That 70’s Show 4.0/7,  Quintuplets 3.3/5; Kelly Ruben & Fantasia: Home for Christmas (OTO)  3.5/6

UPN     2.5/4   Top Model 2.9/5, Kevin Hill 2.2/4

WB      2.4/4   Movie Event:  A Walk to Remember 2.4/4

A18-49  ABC 3.9/11, NBC 3.5/10, CBS 3.3/9, Fox 2.5/7, UPN 1.8/5, WB 1.3/5

Thursday, November 25, 2004. Fast Affiliate Ratings for all Networks – time period averages.  Source Nielsen Media Research. Time Period Averages Only. [p] = Premiere; [o] = Original; [r] = Repeat

CBS     11.4/21 Survivor 8.9/17, CSI 13.5/24, Without a Trace [r] 11.9/22

NBC     6.9/13  Will & Grace 4.7/9, Will & Grace 5.6/10, The Apprentice 7.4/13, The Seinfeld Story (OTO) 8.2/15

FOX     5.7/11  Movie:  Spiderman (8-1030p) 5.7/11

ABC     4.2/8   Charlie Brown Thanksgiving 4.0/8; Movie: Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas 4.3/8

UPN     2.2/4   WWE Smackdown 2.2/4

WB      1.4/3   Movie Special: Samantha – An American Girl Holiday [r] 1.4/3

A18-49  CBS 6.9/19, NBC 4.8/13, Fox 3.6/10, ABC 2.8/8, UPN 1.5/4, WB 0.5/1

Friday, November 26, 2004. Fast Affiliate Ratings for all Networks – time period averages.  Source Nielsen Media Research. Time Period Averages Only. [p] = Premiere; [o] = Original; [r] = Repeat

CBS     6.9/12  Joan of Arcadia 5.5/10, JAG 6.5/11, CSI [r] 8.8/16

NBC     6.0/11  Dateline 5.9/11, Dateline: Tom Brokaw (2 hours) 6.1/11

ABC     4.4/8   8 Simple Rules 4.6/8, Complete Savages 3.8/7, Hope & Faith 4.4/8, Less than Perfect 4.0/7, 20/20 4.6/8

FOX     4.2/8   Movie:  Mr. Deeds  4.2/8

WB      1.9/3   What I Like About You 1.6/3, Grounded for Life 1.7/3, Reba [r] 2.5/4, Blue Collar TV [r] 2.0/3

UPN     1.4/3   Enterprise 1.8/3, WWE Reloaded 1.0/2

A18-49  CBS and Fox 2.8/9, NBC 2.7/8, ABC 2.3/7, WB 1.3/4, UPN 1.0/3

Saturday, November 27, 2004. Fast Affiliate Ratings for all Networks – time period averages.  Source Nielsen Media Research. Time Period Averages Only. [p] = Premiere; [o] = Original; [r] = Repeat

CBS     6.1/11  Cold Case [r] 5.6/10, Without a Trace [r] 6.0/10, 48 Hours 6.6/12

ABC     5.5/10  ABC College Football 5.5/10

FOX     4.7/8   Movie:  Men in Black II 4.7/8

NBC     3.6/6   Movie:  It’s a Wonderful Life 3.6/6

A18-49  Fox 3.2/9, ABC 3.0/9, CBS 2.2/6, NBC 1.9/5

A MESSAGE FROM WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC CABLE DISTRIBUTION

Law & Order (TNT)                       C.S.I. (SPIKE)
Law & Order: CI (USA)           C.S.I. Miami (A&E)
Law & Order: SVU (USA)          Wool Cap (TNT)
Manhunt (Bravo)                 Drawn Together (Comedy)
Laguna Beach (MTV)                      S#x & the City (TBS)
He’s A Lady (TBS)                               

Source: NTI, Explorer, 11/15-11/21/04 A18-49 US 000.  Wizard=TBS, Fri, Sat & Sun 8p.  Ranker excludes sports. Series=Trackage, Movies=Telecast.

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1942:  Although not the most serious sacrifice asked of Americans during World War Two, coffee rationing begins as a response to high military demand and decreased supply.  Coffee was removed from the rationing list in July 1943, but sugar was rationed until June 1947.

Today’s Trivia Question:   I began my career with the NYPD, training with the 12th Precinct, and more precisely Sgt Gilhooley. From there, I moved to my current location with my wife. My wife prefers I smoke a pipe, but I can’t see it.  My favorite meal is at Barney’s Beanery where I can get chili and a creme soda. I like to play pool, golf and watch football. I can’t swim.  Who am I?   (click here with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone with your answer.  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 MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

Court TV’s Caption Caper Contest continues…

We’ve found the perfect caption!

Check back here this week and we’ll lead you to the WINNER!

 (and feel free to bring along a leftover turkey sandwich)

Later — Cyn
11.29.04   5:03am

In 2005, Cynopsis will offer new ad space. Interested?

Archived Editions: www.Cynopsis.com
Cynopsis Ad Sales 203-526-8978
Press Release Fax: 203-381-9318
All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free.
Copyright Cynthia Turner 2004

CYNOPSIS CLASSIFIEDS

JOB OPENING:  PR ACCT. EXEC./Sí TV – L.A. Strong media contacts, 2-4 years TV exp, & college degree req. Pitch trade/regional/national media, write press releases, assist in all media relations. Cover & resume:
   (12/4)

JOB OPENING:  MEDIA BUYERS & PLANNERS  Starcom LA fast paced & exciting team! Nat’l & local buying & planning; prev exp required, home ent or studio exp pref. Strong analytical & comm skills. http://www.smvgroup.com/careers.asp
 (12/4)

JOB OPENING:  MANAGER, CONSUMER RESEARCH-iN DEMAND/NY. Manage all phases of primary research,  incl. surveys & focus grps. Bachelor’s degree; 3-5 yrs . TV mrkt. research exp. Email:
.  (12/4)

JOB OPENING:  ACCOUNT EXEC-Galavision, NY. Exp media sales pro w/proven track record, extensive agency/client relationships.Solid presentation/comm. skills.Spanish-speaking strongly pref/not req. Resume:
  (12/11)

JOB OPENING:  SHOW RUNNER/SERIES PRODUCER, DC-Based; Format series for Top US Cable Bcaster. Min 2 successful format series or 2 years on formats; Must work as local in DC area.  E-mail resumes to
   (12/2)

JOB OPENING:  MGR/AD SALES RESEARCH, Fox Cable Networks, NYC. 5+ yrs exp; Xcellent comm. skills, highly versed w/Nielsen software. DealMaker exp. A+. Resp. for devlping sales materials/presentations.Apply: www.foxcareers.com (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  DIR, ONLINE MRKTG, MTV.com/NYC. 7yrs TV/Ad exp. Devlp/Implmnt mrktg plans for online prgmng & digital prodcts, mltple platforms, Strng Bkgrnd in mrktg/new media. Strng Leader, EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (12/1)

JOB OPENING:  MANAGER, TALENT, MTV/NYC. 3-5yrs strong Booking exp & contacts esp. celebrities, sports stars, politicians, music. Exp. w/TV production A+, multi-tasking a heavy workload, EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (12/1)

JOB OPENING:   Morning NYC based National cable TV show looking for female tech savvy, cutting edge REPORTER with live on camera experience for weekly segment. Must be on top of hot industry trends. E-mail

  (11/30)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED —

SITUATION WANTED:  Experienced PRODUCTION ASSISTANT seeking a cable or television network position. Programming, script editing and production experience at networks including Turner and the Biography Channel. Email:
  (12/4)

SITUATION WANTED:  LA based TALK/REALITY PRODUCER with 5+ years exp. seeking a creative position in reality/talk/variety programming. Excellent real people and celeb skills, A+++ references, willing to travel; email talkproducer
  (12/1)

SITUATION WANTED: SEEKING CHICAGO AD. SALES ASST. POSITION Enthusiastic, quick learner, focused, recent college grad with network internship experience seeks sales asst. position in CHICAGO Contact: Ashley Glassman,
  (12/1)

SITUATION WANTED:  “OUT OF HOME” MEDIA SALES PRO: Need a successful rep in the NYC area?  OOH/TV sales pro available to increase your sales. Home based, 20 yrs sales exp. in B’cast TV and OOH . Contact Steve at

   (12/1)

SITUATION WANTED:  ASSOCIATE PRODUCER with 5yrs experience working in film, television, and commercials I am very versatile and diligent.  NYC based, willing to travel.  Email
  (12/1)

SITUATION WANTED:  EP/PRODUCER/DEV EXEC. Award Winning-Live Action Series/TV Movies, ww exp, bcst/cable Nets, seeks permanent/freelance assignments-gets it done well & on budget. Motivator. -References.
(12/1)

E-mail
for rates and specs for Job Openings. Your ad will be read by 85,430+ Cynopsis & Cynopsis Kids! readers every day. No wonder Cynopsis ads get results.

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

A MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS AD SALES

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  NOVEMBER 29, 2004:

ABC             EM: Home Edition, Monday Night Football
CBS             Still Standing, Listen Up, Raymond, 2-1/2 Men, CSI Miami
FOX             Trading Spouses, The Swan
NBC             Fear Factor, Las Vegas, Dateline
PAX             World Cup Comedy, Cold Turkey, Cold Turkey
UPN             One on One, Half and Half, Girlfriends, Second Time Around
WB              7th Heaven, Everwood
TELE            Prisionera, Gitanas, Te Voy a Ensenar a Querer
UNIV            Rubi, Amor Real, Cristina

A MESSAGE FROM THE HISTORY CHANNEL