Cynopsis

08/14/08

Good morning. It’s Thursday, August 14, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.  

VH1 presents three new series beginning Thursday, August 21:

• The Fabulous Life – Eight new episodes of this returning series spotlights more trends of the ultra rich and famous such as Million Dollar Babies which looks at the Hollywood baby boom. The show airs at 9p and is produced by Sharp Entertainment.
• Glam God with Vivica A. Fox – New competition series that seeks the next hot celebrity stylist, giving the winner a chance to launch a career along with $100,000. The show airs at 10p and is produced by Cris Abrego Productions.
• The Cho Show – New reality show follows comedian Margaret Cho and her colorful sidekicks through her real life situations. The show airs at 11p and is produced by Crossroads Television.

Tuesday night’s season finale of Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood on Oxygen at 10p delivered 932,000 A18-49, 751,000 W18-49, and 1.3 million total viewers.

HBO sinks its teeth into a new series True Blood which opens September 7 at 9p. The 12-episode freshman series is about Bill Compton, a 173-year old vampire played by Stephen Moyer who moves to a remote Louisiana town and meets Sookie Stackhouse, an unusual woman who can read minds, played by Anna Paquin. The series is created and executive produced by Alan Ball (Six Feet Under) and is based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris.

History also premieres a new series on September 7 – Sandhogs airs at 10p. The series takes a look at the group of men who build water and sewage tunnels, subway systems and bridge footings under the streets of New York City, specifically following them as they work on four main projects. For 150 years, the Sandhogs have worked these dangerous, obscure jobs and this series, produced by Pilgrim Films and Television and Eyepop Productions, will look at their history and what they have accomplished.

When GSN unveils its newest game show The Meow Mix Game Show on November 15th, Chuck Woolerly will have the hosting duties, reports THR.  Created by Grand Central Marketing, the game tests cat owners on their knowledge cats and participate in a series of challenges with their feline friends.  Winners of the 30m series could win up to a million dollars and six figures for their favorite feline charity.

Fox Reality Channel renewed the original series Solitary for a third season, per Variety. The series tests contestants through various tough psychological experiments with the final winner receiving $50,000.

With back-to-school season around the corner, truTV debuts a new series, The Principal’s Office, giving viewers an inside look at the job description of a school’s top administrator. The 30m series, produced by Leftfield Pictures, premieres with two back-to-back episodes on August 21 at 9p.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM THE CYNOPSIS FOUNDATION, INC.

Chris Jericho, WWE star and lead singer for the heavy metal band Fozzy, signed a deal to host a new original series on Fuse called Shame 2 Fame which debuts October 29 at 11p. The series follows ten women who all have addictions, criminal records or a mental disorder as they compete for a last-chance at musical stardom. The finalist will receive a record deal and star in a music video that will air on Fuse. Zig-Zag Productions USA produces.

Howard Stern and iN DEMAND Networks will continue their collaboration through the end of 2010 which will mark the conclusion of Howard’s run on Sirius Radio. The digital cable network Howard TV is also offering more original programming as seven uncensored new programs will debut starting this month that feature a trivia-style game show, Howard’s entourage known as the Wack Pack and much more.

Debmar-Mercury obtained global distribution rights outside the U.K. for a game show format called Hot Seat developed by Standing Stone Productions, per Variety. Debmar-Mercury will be looking into available network primetime and strip-syndication slots in the U.S., as well as the potential of taking the show to other international markets. The show’s premise has four contestants participating in a Q&A contest that can take days, weeks or months and vying for prize money that can surge into the millions.

Leah Remini (King of Queens) and CBS Television Distribution are reportedly developing a daytime syndicated series for the actress, tho no full details are yet available, reports THR. Other potential daytime series with CBS Television Distribution include projects with Valerie Bertinelli and Bishop T.D. Jakes.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY: NBC figured the gods wouldn’t present a better opportunity to unveil the initial results of its new cross platform TAMi (Total Audience Measurement Index) than the first 5 days of the Summer Olympics. A total of 113 million people viewed Olympic programming on Sunday on television, online, mobile and VOD. Traffic to NBCOlympics.com reached its highest level by far on Monday at 2 million uniques (a workday, of course); The site has delivered 17.7 million video streams so far. Visits to NBC’s mobile WAP site doubled from Friday (210,000) to Monday (476,000). Best of all for NBC these eyeballs are additive not cannibalistic – some 40% are returning to digital platforms to view events they already saw on TV. The message (to television advertisers) was clear: increased availability of content is unleashing a tide of interest in which all boat are rising. And multiplatform coverage is actually helping to increase TV viewership.  Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY: Canada’s Cookie Jar Entertainment will eliminate jobs following its recent acquisition of US-based DIC Entertainment for $87.6 million, per THR.  The report cites Cookie Jar CEO Michael Hirsh explaining that a full “integration plan” will be announced on August 26, with most of the cuts expected to hit the DIC offices.  A separate deal with Andy Heyward, DIC founder, has already been struck.  Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  BBC Alba, BBC Scotland and government-supported MG ALBA‘s new Gaelic-language TV channel, is scheduled to launch on September 19 on satellite and cable in the U.K.  Online content will also be available.  Following the switch from analog to digital, the channel will be offered in Scotland on Freeview as well (following approval from the BBC Trust).  For its first night, the BBC Alba will bring in a new drama series focused on Elvis and a live concert.  Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL.

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of 7/28-8/3/08 ranked by HH Rtg
Wheel of Fortune (CTD)                                   6.4 AA
Jeopardy (CTD)                                               5.5 AA
Judge Judy (CTD)                                            4.5 AA / 6.8 GAA
Two and a Half Men (WB)                                 4.5 AA / 5.8 GAA
Oprah Winfrey Show (CTD)                               4.1 AA / 4.2 GAA
Dr. Phil Show (CTD)                                         3.8 AA / 3.8 GAA
Family Guy (2/T)                                             3.8 AA / 4.5 GAA
Entertainment Tonight (CTD)                            3.6 AA / 3.7 GAA
Seinfeld (SPT)                                                 3.3 AA / 3.8 GAA
George Lopez (WB)                                          3.1 AA / 4.4 GAA
Source: NSS Galaxy Explorer, Live+SD

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of 7/28-8/3/08 ranked by A18-49 Rtg
Family Guy (2/T)                                            2.6 AA / 2.9 GAA
Two and a Half Men (WB)                                2.4 AA / 3.0 GAA
Seinfeld (SPT)                                                2.0 AA / 2.3 GAA
Friends (WB)                                                 1.7 AA / 2.0 GAA
Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD)                    1.6 AA / 1.7 GAA
George Lopez (WB)                                        1.6 AA / 2.1 GAA
King of Queens (SPT)                                     1.6 AA / 2.2 GAA
Oprah Winfrey Show (CTD)                             1.5 AA / 1.5 GAA
Wheel of Fortune (CTD)                                  1.4 AA
Judge Judy (CTD)                                           1.4 AA / 2.0 GAA
Source: NSS Galaxy Explorer, Live+SD

Tuesday – A18-49 Analysis:  Once again, NBC far outpaced the competition Tuesday night with 12.4/34 A18-49, according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. NBC’s Olympics coverage of women’s gymnastics, beach volleyball, swimming and more began with an 8.7/25 at 8p and increased to a 10.4/26 during 9p and a 14.7/36 through 10p.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated.

NBC: 19.9/34        Summer Olympics 2008 19.9/34

CBS: 4.0/6               NCIS [r] 4.9/8, Big Brother 10 4.2/6, Without a Trace [r] 3.1/5

ABC: 2.8/5            Wipeout [r] 3.1/5, Wanna Bet 2.2/3, Primetime: Medical Mysteries 3.2/5

FOX: 2.2/4               House [r] 2.5/4, Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles [r] 2.0/3

UNIV: 2.1/3            Al Diablo con los Guapos 2.4/4, Fuego en la Sangre 2.3/3, Aqui y Ahora 1.7/3

MNT: 0.8/1             Street Patrol [r] 0.7/1, Street Patrol 2 [r] 0.6/1, Jail [r] 0.9/1, Jail 2 [r] 1.0/2

CW: 0.7/1              Beauty and the Geek [r] 0.6/1, Reaper [r] 0.8/1

TELE: 0.7/1            El Juramento 0.4/1, Dona Barbara 0.8/1, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso 0.8/1

A18-49: NBC 12.4/34, UNIV 1.8/5, CBS 1.6/4, ABC 1.5/4, FOX 1.2/3, TELE 0.5/1, CW 0.4/1, MNT 0.4/1

Kathryn Voskuil advanced to Senior Marketing Manager, Ad Sales at Bright House Networks Advertising. Kathryn joined the company in 2007 as Marketing Services Manager to head the Marketing Services Department which is involved with promotions, research, new business development, marketing and special events.  Congratulations Kathryn!

E! Entertainment Television tapped Beth Greenwald as VP/Original Programming and Series Development to supervise the development of programs and to work with the creative community for the network. Previously, Beth was a Senior Development Executive for New Line Television. In addition, E! upped Jason Salarnis to Director/Original Programming and Series Development.

The Hotel Networks (THN) recruited Alison Holmes as VP/Research and Marketing reporting to Derek White, President, THN. Alison comes to the network from CBS where she served as New Business Manager. Greg Sullivan also was hired by THN as Director/Ad Sales, Eastern Region.

Clay Dollarhide joined mPRm Public Relations as Senior Manager/Digital Marketing and Public Relations. Clay is charged with leading the agency’s sPRead Solutions, reporting to Alan Amman, EVP/COO.

Correction: Duffy Atkins was hired by the WGN-TV Weathercenter as the CLTV Primary Weather Anchor. CLTV is Chicagoland’s 24-hour regional news, weather, sports and information channel owned by Tribune.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CABLEU

This day in History:  1980 – People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was incorporated.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  On the TV show, The Dukes of Hazzard, what was the name of the bar and grill which the Dukes often frequented?  THE BOAR’S NEST Kudos to: Paul Manfre-ReelzChannel/NY; Patrick Mauro-Wieden + Kennedy/NY; Craig Hollander-GolfChannel.com/NY; Andrew Atherton-A&E Television Networks/Stamford, CT; Heather Floore-KDAF/Dallas; Kyle Krebs-Salem Communications/Dallas; Jeanette Gipson-JA Integrated Thinking/Brentwood, TN; Scott Wallace-Showtime Networks, Inc./Overland Park, KS; Taunya Tourville-Bennett-KWBQ /Albuquerque, NM; Art Davie-Davie Communications, Inc./LA; Lilian Lemer-MyMac Productions/Venice,CA; Andrea Compton-General Hospital: ABC Daytime/Hollywood

Today’s Trivia Question: Earlier this week we confirmed that Happy McCann’s tobacco shop was frequented by Martin Kane-Private Eye. Now who played Martin Kane and what his nickname in the film biz?   (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
08.14.08

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JOB OPENING: FREELANCE RSRCHRS/Stamford, CT: Responsibilities incl: content & archival research, licensing and general production support. Knowledge of history a +. Email your resume to
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JOB OPENING: TOP DEVELOPMENT EXEC/needed at busy indie production company/NY: Strong development, writing, pitching skills w/exp in reality/documentary programming. Ability to multi-task a must. Respond to:
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JOB OPENING: DR ACCT EXEC/NYC/MARATHON VENTURES: DR sales for studio syndication product, HD network, VOD and opp to expand into online/mobile; 4+ yrs pref DR sales/planning experience. Resume: 4+
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JOB OPENING: ASST TO PRESIDENT/THE HOTEL NETWORKS NY: Key position w/ growing co. Strong verbal/written comm & PC skills. Creative &/or Prgrmng a +. Detailed & orgnzd, self starter, multi-tasker; Res to:
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JOB OPENING: RESEARCH MGR/MUSIC CHOICE/NY: Support sales, mktg& prgmg across multiple platforms w/accurate & actionable research. BA/BS 6-8 yrs media rsrch exp req/2 yrs consumer/online rsrch strongly pref.
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JOB OPENING: DIR, AD SALES/THE HOTEL NETWORKS (CHI): Strong leader; 8+ yrs natl media sales; OOH, VOD & Promo a +; Exc verbal & written skills; Proven sales leader w/ client & agency contacts; Res to:
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JOB OPENING: EXEC PROD, History TV Prods/History/CT:Editorial/exec oversight for prod of History branded films for museums/historic sites/long form doc& series.Strong editorial, sprvsry, orgnz’l skills req’d.Apply www.aetn.com (8/19)

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JOB OPENING: DIR VIDEO PROD/Films Media Group/Hamilton NJ: Dvlp/prod educ’l video prgrms & ancillary materials for mktg brands: Humanities & Sciences/Cambridge Edu/Meridian Edu/Shopware. Res/sal req’s:
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JOB OPENING: LICENSING MGR/Sesame Workshop/NYC: Mng all aspects of licensing for HBA/pckgd goods/Seasonal. Resp. incl. negotiations,budgets, oversee product dvlp.; 5+ yrs licensing exp req’d.
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FALL INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Discovery/NY: Discovery is looking for fall interns in Ad Sales, Communications, Finance, Marketing, Prog. Dev., and Marketing depts. Sept-Dec, unpaid/for credit internship. Apply www.discovery.com #8153 (8/19)

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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT –  Thursday, August 14, 2008

ABC: Ugly Betty [r], Grey’s Anatomy [r], Private Practice [r]
AZTECA: Fugitivos de la Ley, Historias Engarzadas, Pasiones Prohibidas
CBS: Big Brother 10, CSI [r], Flashpoint
CW: Smallville [r], Supernatural [r]
FOX: NFL Pre-Season Football : Carolina at Philadelphia
ION: Elvis: That’s the Way It Is, 48 Hours Mystery
MNT: My Thursday Night Movie: Texas Rangers [r]
NBC: Olympic Summer Games 2008
PBS: This Old House Hour [r], Antiques Roadshow [r], Out of Left Field:The Making of the Chinese Olympic Baseball Team
TELE: El Juramento, Dona Barbara, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, Fuego en la Sangre, La Rosa de Guadalupe

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