Cynopsis

01.29.09

Good morning. It’s Thursday, January 29, 2009, and this is your first early morning briefing, coming to you from the NATPE 2009 convention in Las Vegas.  

Tonight’s Premieres:
FOX: Hell’s Kitchen at 9p
Spike TV: Toughest Cowboy at 11p

Despite the seemingly high momentum, the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday did not pass the DTV date change bill which proposed to move the DTV transition date back by four months to June 12. The vote was 258 to 168 in favor of the bill, yet under House rules a two-thirds majority was needed for approval. On Monday, the Senate passed a compromise bill by unanimous consent which was advocated by Senator Jay Rockefeller who released this statement: “I am deeply disappointed that Republicans blocked the digital television transition (DTV) delay bill today in the House,” he said in a statement. “Instead of delaying the transition to ensure that the most vulnerable among us have the ability to prepare for the transition, they have made certain that far too many consumers across the country will wake up on February the 18th and find that their television sets have gone dark and access to news, information, and vital emergency alerts will be unavailable. It did not have to be this way – this situation was unnecessary and avoidable.”

Late-night talker Chelsea Lately on E! with host comedienne/author Chelsea Handler moves to a new time slot on the network. Starting February 16, Chelsea Lately airs weeknights at 11p followed by an encore airing of E! News at 1130p. Chelsea Lately also airs repeats at midnight and 230a.

The CW’s America’s Next Top Model struts on the scene with Cycle 12 February 25 at 8p with encore airings on Fridays at 9p. Thirteen model finalists from around the U.S. will compete to land their dream career and a contract through Elite Model Management, a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl and a cover and six-page fashion spread in Seventeen magazine. America’s Next Top Model is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment in association with Bankable Productions.

For angler enthusiasts, WFN: World Fishing Network launches a new season of Getting School’d with JP DeRose on February 12 at 830p. The series will be preceded by a special Gear Week hosted by DeRose showing off the latest fishing equipment from February 9-13. Getting School’d airs on both WFN and WFN HD on Thursdays at 830p through March 19.

CYNOPSIS EVENTS AT NATPE 2009

NATPE 2009 News:

• Program Partners sold its first-run talk show Marie in the two largest U.S. markets  on NBC Universal-owned WNBC/New York and Tribune-owned KTLA/Los Angeles. Marie, starring Marie Osmond, is now cleared in 70% of the U.S. for fall 2009. The show will be based in Las Vegas where Osmond and her brother Donny have a current two-year contract to appear in a variety show at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino.
• Twentieth Television, Inc. announced How I Met Your Mother, new addition to the broadcast syndication marketplace, now tallies more than 100 markets equal to 75% of the U.S. The sitcom, distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, has cleared in 23 out of the top 25 markets for a fall 2010 launch. Stations picking up the series included the FOX Television Stations’ WNYW-WWOR/New York, KTTV-KCOP/Los Angeles, WFLD-WPWR/Chicago; Hearst Argyle’s WMOR/Tampa-St. Petersburg, WKCF/Orlando, KQCA/Sacramento; Tribune’s WDCW/Washington, D.C., KIAH/Houston, KCPQ-KMYQ/Seattle, KPLR/St. Louis, KRCW/Portland, WXIN-WTTV/Indianapolis; Viacom’s WPSG-KYW/Philadelphia, KTXA-KTVT/Dallas-Ft. Worth, WSBK-WBZ/Boston, WKBD-WWJ/Detroit; Raycom’s WUAB-WOIO/Cleveland; Cox’s KICU-KTVU/San Francisco; Belo’s KASW/Phoenix; Hubbard’s KSTC-KSTP/Minneapolis-St. Paul; and Bahakel’s WCCB/Charlotte.
• Connection III Entertainment Corp. confirmed its signature series Made in Hollywood and the FCC-friendly, E/I sister series Made in Hollywood: Teen Edition was picked up by the CBS Television Stations group in 21 markets for the 2009-10 season. In its fourth season currently, Made in Hollywood will be seen on CBS O&Os in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Miami, Sacramento and Pittsburgh. Made in Hollywood: Teen Edition was sold to CBS O&Os in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Tampa, Seattle, Miami, Sacramento, Pittsburgh and Norfolk for its fourth season in 2009-10.

Lifetime Networks made an affiliation deal with Comporium which allows the carriage of Lifetime HD, taking effect February 1, 2009.

Independent production studio and management company, Generate made an exclusive multiyear development and production agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Television (TCFTV). The deal allows Generate to develop scripted broadcast and cable television series projects for TCFTV as well as giving TCFTV a first-look at alternative or reality projects developed by Generate.

TBS ordered 80 new episodes of the Tyler Perry comedy Meet the Browns, reports Variety. The series, which premiered January 7 with ten episodes, will return this summer as a companion to Perry’s House of Payne.

Third Floor Productions, specializing in new media production, formed a working partnership with Washington, D.C.-based Story House Productions, an international media production company. The partnership, addressing development, resources and strategic alliance, also moves Third Floor’s headquarters from North Carolina to Washington, D.C.

Additional pilot pick-ups:

• NBC approved another throw-back to the 1980s as Parenthood, an hour-long dramedy based on Ron Howard’s 1989 movie starring Steve Martin and Dianne Wiest was ordered, per THR. Jason Katims wrote the adaptation and will executive produce along with Howard, Brian Grazer and David Nevins. Universal Media Studios and Imagine TV will produce. NBC also recently approved the pilot Lost in the ’80s, while ABC ordered new adaptations of The Witches of Eastwick and the miniseries V.
• ABC gave a pilot nod to Threesome, a comedy from Ricky Blitt (Family Guy), reports THR. The project is about a thirtysomething guy who finds himself in the middle of his needy best friend and his new girlfriend and her teenage kids. Warner Bros. Television will produce.

Casting Call: Animal Planet and production partner Powderhouse Productions is looking for pet owners and their pets for a new series called Fetch Me A Beer (wt). The series watches pet trainer Zak George teaching animal owners how to transform ordinary pets to do stunt tricks. Production will begin next month and in-person casting calls are happening in South Florida now through mid-March and in the Boston area now through mid-June. Interested pet owners in South Florida can send an email to
and those in the Boston area can send an email to
. Other interested participants can submit videos and reply to the casting questionnaire by visiting AnimalPlanet.com/CastingCalls.

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  The House of Representatives voted 258-168 to defeat the bill to delay broadcasters’ transition to digital by 4 months, just two days after it passed the Senate unanimously, per the AP. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and author of the bill to postpone the switchover, issued a statement expressing disappointment that “far too many” consumers will wake up on Feb. 18 without access to news, information on their TV sets. Opponents complained that a postponement would only add to confusion in the marketplace.   Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  Studio B Productions and Slap Happy Cartoons ink a development deal for the K6-11 targeted 2D animated series B.O.O.M. Boys (52×11).  Created by Slap Happy Cartoons, B.O.O.M. Boys is a comedy about three tween bionic brothers who build wild inventions while escaping the evil military agency that developed them.  Slap Happy founders and B.O.O.M. Boys creators Josh Mepham, Greg Sullivan, and Kathy Rocchio and Vito Viscomi all previously toiled for Studio B as directors, writers, and producers.  Studio B is a production subsidiary of DHX Media Ltd. Full edition: CYN KIDS.

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of 1/12-1/18/09 ranked by HH Rtg
Wheel of Fortune (CTD)                                   7.7 AA
Jeopardy (CTD)                                              6.3 AA
Two and a Half Men (WB)                                 5.6 AA / 7.5 GAA
Entertainment Tonight (CTD)                            4.8 AA / 4.9 GAA
Oprah Winfrey Show (CTD)                               4.7 AA / 4.8 GAA
Judge Judy (CTD)                                            4.5 AA / 6.9 GAA
Family Guy (2/T)                                             4.3 AA / 5.0 GAA
Dr. Phil Show (CTD)                                        3.5 AA / 3.6 GAA
Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD)                      3.4 AA / 4.5 GAA
Inside Edition (CTD)                                        3.3 AA / 3.3 GAA
Source: NSS Galaxy Explorer, Live+SD

Top 10 M-F Syndicated Strip Series for the week of 1/12-1/18/09 ranked by A18-49 Rtg
Two and a Half Men (WB)                                3.2 AA / 4.2 GAA
Family Guy (2/T)                                            3.1 AA / 3.6 GAA
Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD)                      2.1 AA / 2.7 GAA
Wheel of Fortune (CTD)                                  1.9 AA
King of Queens (SPT)                                      1.9 AA / 2.2 GAA
Friends (WB)                                                  1.9 AA / 2.2 GAA
Entertainment Tonight (CTD)                            1.8 AA / 1.8 GAA
Jeopardy (CTD)                                              1.7 AA
Oprah Winfrey Show (CTD)                              1.6 AA / 1.6 GAA
King of the Hill (2/T)                                       1.6 AA / 1.8 GAA
House of Payne (2/T)                                      1.6 AA / 1.9 GAA
George Lopez (WB)                                         1.6 AA / 2.1 GAA
Source: NSS Galaxy Explorer, Live+SD

Tuesday – A18-49 Analysis: FOX was a rock Tuesday night staying on top with 7.3/18 A18-49 according to final national ratings from Nielsen Media Research. American Idol on FOX held a giant lead at 8p with 9.8/24 with CBS’ NCIS next at 4.0/10. NBC’s Biggest Loser won the 9p hour with 5.0/12 ahead of FOX’s second place Fringe at 4.7/11. Competition was thick during 10p, yet CBS’ Without a Trace prevailed with 2.8/7 followed by NBC’s Law & Order: SVU repeat at 2.4/6 and ABC’s Primetime at 2.3/6.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated.  Live+SD

FOX: 10.2/15         American Idol 13.7/20, Fringe 6.7/10

CBS: 9.8/15             NCIS 11.6/17, The Mentalist [r] 9.6/14, Without a Trace 8.2/14

NBC: 5.9/9             The Biggest Loser 7 6.5/10, Law & Order: SVU [r] 4.8/8

ABC: 3.7/6            Homeland Security USA 3.7/5, Scrubs 3.3/5, Scrubs 3.3/5, Prime: What Would You Do? 4.2/7

UNIV: 2.3/4           Cuidado con El Angel 2.5/4, Fuego en la Sangre 2.7/4, Aqui y Ahora 1.8/3

MNT: 0.8/1            Street Patrol [r] 0.8/1, Street Patrol 2 [r] 0.7/1, Vice Squad 0.8/1, Vice Squad 2 [r] 0.8/1

TELE: 0.8/1            Dona Barbara 0.7/1, El Rostro de Analia 0.7/1, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso 0.9/1, Cartel T 0.8/1

CW: 0.7/1             90210 [r] 0.7/1, Privileged [r] 0.6/1

A18-49: FOX 7.3/18, NBC 3.5/9, CBS 3.2/8, ABC 2.1/5, UNIV 1.8/4, TELE 0.6/1, MNT 0.5/1, CW 0.3/1

Street Surfing, LLC hired James Nunziati as VP/Sales and Marketing. James comes from Fox Home Entertainment where he worked as a strategic consultant on the development of new distribution channels.

Comcast Programming Group established the Comcast Sports Sales group, combining the Golf Channel and Versus sales teams. Leading this new unit will be Comcast Network Advertising Sales President David T. Cassaro.

David Decker advanced to EVP/Business and Legal Affairs with Telepictures Productions where he will continue to supervise all daily business operations encompassing business affairs, legal, finance and administration for the production company. In addition, David will offer business and legal affairs advice to Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. David reports to Estey McLoughlin, President, Telepictures Productions and to Ken Werner, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.

ZOO Productions tapped Charles Steenveld as President. Charles will oversee daily operations and production for the company’s show roster including Are You Smarter Than A 5^th Grader? (with Mark Burnett Productions), Speeders, Speeders Fight Back on truTV among other series. Most recently, Charles was EVP/General Counsel for Reveille, working on shows The Biggest Loser, Nashville Star, The Office and Ugly Betty.

Susan Sheppard was named SVP/Business and Legal Affairs with BBC Worldwide America, effective immediately. In her new role, Susan will work in tandem with Jane Tranter, EVP/Programming and Production in addition to managing daily business and legal affairs pertaining to development and series production agreements based in the U.S. Susan will report to Michael Ross, EVP/Business Affairs and Operations over all divisions of BBC Worldwide America.

Turner Entertainment, Animation, Sports and Digital Ad Sales Research elevated three executives to streamline functions within the business divisions:

• Jeff Grant becomes SVP/Cartoon Network and Adult Swim Sales, Marketing and Enterprises, Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Sales Research. Jeff reports to Stacey Lynn Schulman, EVP/Turner Entertainment, Animation, Sports and Digital Ad Sales Research.
• Katie Larkin was promoted to SVP/Turner Entertainment and Sports Ad Sales Research and Strategy. Katie also reports to Stacey Lynn Schulman.
• Jay Leon was upped to VP/Turner Sports Sales Research. Jay reports to Katie Larkin.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CABLETELEVISION ADVERTISING BUREAU

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This day in History:  1936 – The first elections to select inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame were held. The first 5 men elected were: Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, and Honus Wagner.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:    Which cable service was the first to scramble their signal, allowing only viewers with authorized descramblers to watch?  HBO (January 15, 1986)  Kudos to: Timothy Hedden-Manhattan Queens Productions/NY; Brian Owens-WTNH/WCTX/New Haven CT; Barry Solomon-Menudo Entertainment LLC/NY; Maura Kehoe-PK Network Communications/NY;  Vicki Cornelius-Camelot Communications/Dallas; Roger Bare-KIAH/Houston; Wendy Smith-Kids In Need; Roger Schulte-KTGF/Great Falls MT; Lorrie Shilling-DIRECTV/El Sagundo CA; Bob Ramsey- KTXL FOX 40/Sacramento; Michael Gutenplan-Evolution Media/Burbank; Cammie Buerry- Marshall Fenn Communications/Las Vegas

Today’s Trivia Question – for NATPE Week, all of the Cynopsis trivia questions will test your knowledge of television history:  When was the first interracial kiss seen on American TV?  (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
01.29.09

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT (IME)

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

JOB OPENING: SALES MANAGER/Discovery Communications/New York: Sell national advertising for Discovery’s Kids to US agencies & clients, 5+ yrs on-air ad sales exp required. To Apply: http://corporate.discovery.com/careers/ Req#8752 (2/5)

JOB OPENING: WEB ANALYST MGR/Full svc integ mktg co/S. CT: Analyze traffic, click stream studies, site exp, site density, onsite search, guided nav. Provide new site web analytic tracking specs. Res:
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JOB OPENING: VP MKTG/KidzBop/NY: Exp in kid’s mrkt & music required. Key team member with est. contacts. Resp for all brand platforms-audio/web/consumer products/live events/licensees. Apply:
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JOB OPENING: VP, OPS/DISCOVERY/MIAMI: Oversee Broadcast & Network Ops for Lat Amer/US Hisp Nets. 10+ yrs tv/cable ops exp, incl. mgmt/strategy/budget/technology. To apply, visit www.discovery.com (req8643) (2/4)

JOB OPENING: VOD COORDINATOR/FEARnet/LA: Schedule movies. Responsible for creating and maintaining monthly Video On Demand program planners. Horror knowledge req. Apply to
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JOB OPENING: REGIONAL/LOCAL SALES/Arena Media Networks/NY/CHI: Sell local advrtsng & sponsorships on our digital ntwrk in sports & ent arenas. 2-5 yrs exp TV/new media sales req, pref in sports. Contact:
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JOB OPENING: DIR INT’L CLIENT SVS/LA: Cord. delivery of all live event channel prgrmng incl. supporting ITL clients WW. Resp. for setting up satellite feeds & del. of prgrmng content. Lead Cust svc team. Apply:
(2/4)

JOB OPENING:  CNS-COORD, PRICING & PLAN’G/FL/Comcast: Coord intrnl sales process, track commercial inv. Work w/Dir. Pricing/Plan’g to support Ad Sales Plan’g Grp. Req 1 yr exp. Apply: www.ecentralmetrics.com/url/?u=882797847-23 EOE (2/3)

JOB OPENING:  DIGITAL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/GSN, Santa Monica: 2 yrs + exp in Digital Space with strong digital agency contacts. Send resume + cover to
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JOB OPENING:  Dir, Mktg Solutions/G4: Develop brand integrations, added-value solutions, sponsorships for on-air / non-linear platforms; Strong ideation, PPT development, project mgmt skills a must. Apply:
(2/3)

JOB OPENING:  PROD COORD/Cable Company/NY: Provide admin support to Prog Execs/Mng invoice tracking & payment/Mng non-staff hire process/Assist w/ off-site prod needs for this major NY-based cable co.Resumes to:
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JOB OPENING:   DIRECTOR/AD SALES MKTG/ HGTV/NY:   Manage projects such as sweepstakes/write sponsorship proposals & hospitality events w/in deadlines. Full details, http://www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com/careers & select req 46 (1/31)

JOB OPENING: TEMP CREATIVE MANAGER/ION/NY: Lead NY based team in creating on air/ adv campaigns for ION TV. Oversee design/writers/production. 5 yrs exp in TV brdcst promotion/cr. service depts.
(1/30)

JOB OPENING: NEW BIZ ACCT EXEC/American Latino Synd/NY: Sell nat’l ads for 2 Synd TV shows & New Scripted Series, 2-5 yrs sales exp req. Fast growth opp in an entrepreneurial envir. Min. travel req. Info: www.americanlatino.tv/jobs (1/30)

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
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SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: Comcast Int’l Media Group is looking for an MBA STUDENT INTERN to create business plan for international editions of E! Online. Resume/cover letter:
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SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  Bowery Presents Media is looking for a DIGITAL SAVVY INTERN to help with production, marketing, & business development. Must have knowledge of the music business & social networks. Email:
(1/31)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY Central MA Tech-savvy intern wanted. Duties: research, copy edit, update website, & admin tasks. Work from home with occasional meetings at mutually convenient place. To apply, see info at www.rlfmedia.com/news (1/31)

SPRING INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY: Scribble mats is looking for TWO CREATIVE INTERNS. Must be proficient in Illustrator and Photoshop and/or Flash, web experience is a plus. Contact Arlene at
to apply. www.scribblemats.com (1/30)

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:   FILM/VIDEO PRODUCER/COORDINATOR/NYC. “I help you make your movie” – any length – from start to finish – One-Man-Band or Lead a Team.
(2/5)

SITUATION WANTED:  NON-FICTION PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR. Seasoned. NBC; TLC; CMT; VH1; CNN; TLC; Discovery; E!. (Reality; Docs; Entertainment; Talk; Magazine.) Field and Post; Development & Sales tapes.  LA based.  
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SITUATION WANTED:  NYC-based MBA grad with experience working with top film and publishing companies is seeking FT/freelance opportunity. Excellent analytical, operational, and client service skills. Please contact
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SITUATION WANTED: Experienced HRIS ANALYST (LA based) seeking projects related to data conversions, upgrades, implementations. Exc time mngmnt, organization & analytical skills. PeopleSoft background. Contact
(2/4)

SITUATION WANTED:   Award winning On-Air / Off-Air CREATIVE DIRECTOR. 20 years network / cable experience. Innovative promotion, design, branding and strategy. Hard working, detail oriented, motivated, avail today.
(1/31)

SITUATION WANTED: PRINT/INTERACTIVE PROJECT MANAGER in LA. Diligent, efficient, & detail oriented. See http://www.linkedin.com/in/domanus. Open to FTE, Contract, short/long term gigs. Can work remotely as well. Contact
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SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCTION ASSISTANT. I am experienced, hard-working, no drama, detail oriented, and ready to start immediately.  Please contact me at
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SITUATION WANTED: Recent Harvard grad and FREELANCE WRITER will do pretty much anything involving words and writing them. Currently writing for a Gawker blog. Hard worker, strong writer, great bargain. (NYC)
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SITUATION WANTED:   ADMIN/EXEC ASST (NYC): 22 years experience with top firm supporting VPs and assisting President. Microsoft Office skills. Worked under deadline. Multi-tasker/quick learner.
(1/31)

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:
(1/30)

SITUATION WANTED: Well networked Sr. RECRUITER (LA base) w/10 yrs exp in online media & entertainment. (Yahoo! Disney, etc) Open to FTE, Contract, short term or long term gigs. Can work remotely as well. Contact
(1/30)

SITUATION WANTED: Professional SINGER & EXPERIENCED VOCAL TEACHER seeks voice students for expanding private studio in Nassau County, NY. All experience levels & musical styles welcome. For more info email:
(1/30)

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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT –  THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009

ABC: Ugly Betty [r], Grey’s Anatomy [r], Private Practice
AZTECA: Lo Que Callamos Las Mujeres Edicion Especial, Historias Engarzadas, Al Extremo
CBS: Criminal Minds [r], CSI, Eleventh Hour
CW: Smallville, Supernatural
FOX: American Idol, Hell’s Kitchen [p ]
ION: Movie: Octopussy
MNT: My Thursday Night Movie: Dangerous Minds
NBC: My Name is Earl [r], Kath & Kim [r], The Office [r], 30 Rock [r], ER [r]   
PBS: This Old House Hour, Antiques Roadshow, Soundstage: B.B. King
TELE: Dona Barbara, El Rostro de Analia, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso
UNIV: Cuidado con el Angel, Fuego en la Sangre, La Rosa de Guadalupe

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