At Elton’s wedding, must there be tiny dancers? I mean, what’s so bad about bulky dancers?

If it’s happening in pop culture, it’s happening again on VH1’s Best Week Ever.

With hit shows like Surreal Life, Celebrity Fit Club, Strange Love and Best Week Ever, it’s no wonder 1Q05 was VH1’s highest-rated quarter ever.*

*Source: NHI Explorer, January 2005 vs. all other months, P18-49 cvg rating, Total Day

CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

05/05/05

Good morning.  It’s Thursday, May 5, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Comedy Central issued this statement – here in full – late yesterday with no further explanation:  “Comedy Central has suspended production on the third season of Chappelle’s Show until further notice.  All parties are optimistic that production will resume in the near future. The third season will not premiere on May 31st as originally scheduled.”  Asked the reason behind the abrupt suspension, the network’s publicist directed Cynopsis to Chappelle’s spokesman, who did not respond to inquiries by press time.  Last summer, Chappelle had re-signed with Comedy Central to continue with the show for two more seasons after the series had averaged 2.2 million A18-49 viewers during the 2004 season.

As the debate rages on about TV program content, censorship and indecency and what the role of the government should be in all this, a new coalition called TV Watch has set up shop in NYC.  TV Watch opposes government control of TV programming content and instead advocates parental controls, which includes program content ratings, blocking technologies, and providing parents/care takers with the right to select what is good or not for their family.  Backed up a host of media companies, including NBC Universal, Viacom, NewsCorp., and a host of legal experts, academics, business leaders and entertainers, TV Watch burst out of the gate yesterday with the findings of a national poll indicating while the American public cares about content, it is also in favor of parental responsibility versus “government control.”  Findings include an 8:1 ratio of respondents who say “more parental involvement” is a better solution to keeping kids from seeing adult content than increasing government control.  The national survey was conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates and the Luntz Research Companies, the complete findings are available at the TV Watch website: http://www.televisionwatch.org .

The strong response from Parents Television Council president L. Brent Bozell to the formation of TV Watch was published on the PTC website’s home page:  “This supposed ‘coalition’ needs to be taken – and dismissed – for what it is: a collection of random citizen and public policy groups that have simply been hired and paid for by the networks to do their dirty work. Some of these organizations, like the American Conservative Union and Americans for Tax Reform have never given a moment’s thought to the suffocating sewage coming from the entertainment industry. That in and of itself is shameful. But now, suddenly, they care? It’s a laughable proposition to think that this hired gun coalition will have any impact whatsoever on the ongoing debate over decency and the public airwaves.”  More at the PTC website: http://www.parentstv.org/ There you will also find the dueling research from Pew Research Center indicating that “75% of the 1,505 adults polled from March 17-21 would like to see tighter enforcement of government rules on broadcast content, particularly when children are most likely to be watching; 60% want broadcast TV indecency standards extended to cable TV; and 69% want higher fines for media companies.” 

20th Century Fox Television has signed a two year development deal with writer/producer Danny Zuker to create comedy projects, sitcoms, for the studio.  Currently he is working on a 30m project, reportedly a single camera show, for 20th and Fox.

Elsewhere at Fox Television Studios, it has entered into a first-look agreement with creative agency Crispin Porter & Bogusky (last year named Agency of the Year by Ad Age), whereby Fox will get the first look at any new concepts and ideas CP&B develop that potentially could be turned into program content. Said Fox TV Studio President, Angela Shapiro-Mathes: “Our goal is to create franchises and find innovative ways of reaching the audience.  In order to do that, we’re bringing in the most talented people we can identify from all over the world. The relationship with CP +B underscores our commitment to reach out into varied arenas to effectively execute that strategy.”  If you’re not familiar with the name CP&B, you probably are with much of their work including the “truth” anti-tobacco campaign and the Burger King subservient chicken website.

And over at Touchstone TV, UPN series star from Kevin Hill, Taye Diggs has signed a development deal via his O-Tay Prods.  This is a one year deal, with an option for a second year.

Tribune Broadcasting-owned stations, Tribune Entertainment Company and Sony Pictures Television (SPT) have announced a new agreement to develop/produce first-run syndicated programs.  The first effort in this collaborative effort will be a daytime show, airing on the 26-Tribune station group, in the fall of 2006.  While there is no indication of what that daytime show will be, you’d have to wonder if Sony’s The Robin Quivers Show will be part of this deal.  Not much talk about her show since NATPE, and thus far no “firm go” announcement. This partnership could certainly assist Quivers getting on the air in the fall.

WB‘s new reality series Beauty and the Geek (Katalyst Films/3 Ball Prods) is set to debut on Wednesday, June 1 at 8p.  The show begins with seven “academically impaired” women and adds seven very smart “geeky” guys.  Once paired off, they have a chance to win a cash prize as they compete in a variety of challenges, both academic and not.

The premiere of UPN’s The Bad Girl’s Guide is set for Tuesday, May 24 at 930p, starring Jenny McCarthy and Marcelle Larice, two girls living large.

Coming to Discovery Home this June 17 at 930p is the series premiere of Broken House Chronicles. The program chronicles a pair of first-time homeowners as they move from one home improvement project to another.

Corrections :

• The 4400 premieres on USA on Sunday, June 5 as a two-hour premiere, and then airs in its regular time period for the first time the following week at 9p, followed by the premiere of The Dead Zone at 10p.
• And on HBO the premiere of The Comeback is set for Sunday, June 5 at 930p, not 1030p as erroneously mentioned here yesterday.

Gospel Music Channel has named Toni Rigsby as Director/Affiliate Marketing.  She will report to Genia Edelman, VP/Affiliate Sales and Marketing.  Toni will drive marketing and cross-promotional efforts with the affiliates around the country, while working to build strong partnerships and raise overall brand awareness for Gospel Music Channel.   

The Cable Center announced it has hired Dorothy Kelly as its new Director/Education and Programs. She will be responsible for creating a strategic plan for the development of outreach educational programs for The Center and will assist in the implementation of educational initiatives focusing on the cable telecommunications industry and on colleges and universities.

Bruce Catania has been named VP/Production for Telepictures Productions. The announcement was made by Hilary Estey McLoughlin, EVP/GM, Telepictures Productions. Bruce will be part of the senior team responsible for overseeing the day-to-day production of various Telepictures Productions’ television series, including first-run syndication, network and cable.

Univision Communications upped several execs within the cache of networks. 

• Bert Medina was promoted to SVP/Operating Manager of Telefutura.  He was previously VP/general manager of Univision’s WGBO and Telefutura’s WXFT in Chicago. 
• Bert is replacing Alina Falcon, who was upped to EVP/Operating Manager of the Univision network. 
• Vincent Cordero is taking over Bert’s prior position as VP/general manager of Chicago’s WGBO and WXFT.
• Jasmine Rezai was upped to VP of Affiliate Marketing at Univision Television Group. She was previously director of Western region affiliate relations for Univision Television Networks.
• Cesar Conde was named as VP/Operating Manager of Galavision.

Tuesday – A18-49 Analysis- May Sweep Day #6:  Fox dominated the ratings on Tuesday night according to final numbers from Nielsen Media Research, averaging an overall 8.4/22 A18-49 for the night, ahead of NBC 4.2/11, CBS 3.8/10, ABC 2.4/6, WB 2.0/5, UPN 1.0/3.  At 8p American Idol drew a 9.9/28 demo rating, dusting the competition.  NCIS was closest with a 3.1/9, while WB’s Gilmore Girls posted a healthy 2.2/6.  At 9p House led the hour with a 7.0/17, while NBC’s 2-hour L&O and CBS’ Amazing Race tied at a 13 share. At 10p the second half of L&O continued to win the hour, while Judging Amy delivered a 3.0/8.

FINAL HOUSEHOLD RATINGS:   Tuesday, May 3, 2005, for all Networks – program averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research. 

FOX     12.8/20  American Idol 14.9/24, House 10.7/16

NBC     8.7/14   Most Outrageous Game Show Moments #3 & #4 [r] 3.9/6, Law & Order: SVU 11.1/17

CBS     8.1/13   NCIS 8.8/14, Amazing Race 8.0/12, Judging Amy 7.6/12

ABC     4.3/7    My Wife & Kids 3.8/6, George Lopez 3.7/6, According to Jim 5.5/8, Blind Justice 4.1/6

WB      3.1/5    Gilmore Girls 3.5/6, One Tree Hill 2.7/4

UPN     1.7/3    All of Us 1.4/2, Eve 1.6/2, Veronica Mars 1.9/3

A18-49                Fox 8.4/22, NBC 4.2/11, CBS 3.8/10, ABC 2.4/6, WB 2.0/5, UPN 1.0/3

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1961 – Alan Shepard returns to earth in his Mercury 3 capsule after becoming the first American in outer space.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  If you’re having a little refreshment at the Monkey Bar & Hotel, where are you? I know you were thinking the Monkey Bar in NYC, but no, that’s not the Monkey Bar & Hotel, it’s just another Monkey Bar.  This one is on the ISLAND OF BORAGORA on Tales of the Gold Monkey.  Kudos to: Neil Cohen-A&E/NY; Beth Krinock-Zenith Media/NY; Kevin Day-Mindshare/NY; Meghan Morris-Westwayne Inc./Tampa; Dan Whitford-RPA/Chicago; Tim Rank-Adamson Adv/St. Louis; Jack Hodgson-OK State Univ/Stillwater; Marty Webb-Spot Media/Santa Monica; David Scott Jones-Marleigh Ent/LA; Dean Lavine-Disney Channel/Burbank; Ed Navratil-Paramount Domestic Television/Hollywood, and of course, Stephen Collins-7th Heaven (a round of applause for the former star of Tales of the Gold Monkey)/LA.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

Today’s trivia question:  Christmas and Thanksgiving are the #1 and #2 days of the year where Americans consume the most food.  What is the third?   (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
05.05.05  5:21am
Cynopsis Ad Sales – Barbara Shapiro – 203-583-1224 /

Classified Ad Sales – Cynthia Turner – 203.526.8978 /

Subscribe, unsubscribe, or change a subscription for any Cynopsis edition: www.cynopsis.com
Archived Editions: www.Cynopsis.com
Press Release Fax: 203-381-9318

All outgoing e-mails are scanned and sent out virus free.
Copyright Cynthia Turner 2005

Cyn opsis  CLASSIFIEDS —

JOB OPENING:  SR. FINANCE ANALYST, STRAT & PLANNING – Court TV, NY., For info go to: http://www.courttv.com/about/careers/ (5/12)

JOB OPENING:  SR. ACCT EXEC/World Wrestling Entertainment/NYC. Professional w/ proven sales record! 3+yrs Internet Sales/ 5+yrs Gen. Sales exp. required. Product knowledge a must. Travel required. BA/BS, Apply: www.wwe-careers.com (5/12)

JOB OPENING:  PROMO MGR/Current TV /San Francisco, CA. Outstanding writing/graphic whiz with kick-butt reel. Must know what’s going on with 18-34 year olds. EOE Apply: www.current.tv (5/12)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR AD SALES RESEARCH/Hallmark Channel-NY: Support various depts. by supplying research materials. Min.5 yrs exp. See full posting at www.hallmarkchannel.com . Resumes:
(5/12)

JOB OPENING:  ART DIRECTOR/SR. DESIGNER/Hallmark Channel-LA: Conceptualize, design & execute print based cons & ent trade ads & collateral. 5+ yrs exp. Full posting: www.hallmarkchannel.com . Resumes:
(5/12)

JOB OPENING:  AIM TV-NY AD SALES EXEC. Working knowledge of natl. TV & Hispanic mkt. New Biz Development crucial. Existing base w/comp plan for new business. Email resume to
or Fax: Ana / Fax (212) 255-9232  (5/11)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH ANALYST  24 hrs.per week  KTSF TV, San Francisco. 2+ yrs exp in TV, cable or advertising. Requires proficiency with Nielsen software including Galaxy Navigator and Profile-DMA. Resume to
   (5/11)

JOB OPENING:  PBS wants a KIDS BRAND & PROMO DIRECTOR with 6-8 yrs leadership exp in brand mgmt and promotions esp. with kids and parent brands; media background preferred. For more info and to apply, visit www.pbs.org/jobs. EOE  (5/11)

JOB OPENING:  AFFILIATE SALES & MARKETING ASSIST. /MTV Networks/Santa Monica/CA: General admin. duties., Ad Sales knowledge; exp. or interest in media buying and advertising. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com (5/11)

JOB OPENING:  NETWORK BUYERS WANTED! Initiative-NY 2-5 yrs exp, Oversee Network, cable & syndication buys. AWESOME account! Must know DDS. Email resumes to
  (5/11)

JOB OPENING:  SR AE-WLVI/Boston. 5+ yrs TV sales exp; exc. neg skills, strong work ethic. Major agency acct mgmt exp. Intimate knwldg of LPM Nielsen data, TVScan, Prime Next Qualitative sftwr. Resume:
  (5/11)

JOB OPENING:  STAFF WRITER/World Wrestling Entertainment/Stamford, CT. Showcase your Creative Writing talent! 3+yrs TV writing exper. Familiar w/ WWE product, storylines, talent. Extensive travel. BA/BS, Apply: www.wwe-careers.com . (5/10)

JOB OPENING:  MKTG MGR, Warner Bros. Develop/create messaging for presentations/packaging targeting potential buyers. Strong written skills & exp w/TV rtgs/pgm. Email:
; RE: UCTC/#40816BR  (5/10)

JOB OPENING:  EXEC ASST to docu film producer NYC F/T salaried, entry level, college grad, super responsible. Keep house and learn TV docu production. Email resume, cover letter
or fax 212 929 0210 No phone calls  (5/10)

JOB OPENING:  SR ANALYST, SALES RESEARCH/ABC FAMILY-NY. 2-3 yrs exp. media research, esp cable; savvy w/Nielsen, app. software; track net perf/competitors, adding perspective; develop/track estimates. Email: 
  (5/10)

JOB OPENING:  ON-AIR PLANNING COORDINATOR  Oxygen/NY. Coordinate & schedule on-air promos & elements. Contribute to strategy planning. Strong comm. skills/demonstrated computer experience. E-mail resume:
  (5/10)

JOB OPENING:  PRODUCER -NYC, Weekly Animal News series. Will oversee staff, host, writing, editing & delivery. Prior news/studio exp. a plus. Organizational skills a must. Email:
. Start: 6/1/05    (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  ASSOCIATE PRODUCER-NYC, Gay-themed clip show. Must have: extensive clip clearance experience, booking experience & ability to work w/ celebs. Email:
. Start: 6/13/05  (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE-Fox Cable Networks/NY Heavy client interaction; responsible for generating sales revenue w/ new/existing clients. Min 2-4 yrs sales exp 4 yr college deg. Apply online www.foxcareers.com (ref #286)  (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  FUSE is looking for a RESEARCH ANALYST to support all network depts.  Min of 2 years media research experience. Knwlg. of Nielsen, MRI/Simmons. Send resume to
  (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR OAP/FOX REALITY/LA. responsible for the operations, supervision & execution of on-air promos for FR. Reporting to VP of Mktg 5+yrs mgmt/on-air exp & 4 yr degree req’d. Apply @ www.foxcareers.com (ref: FNG 287)  (5/7)

JOB OPENING:  DR TV Buyer. Finelight Strategic Marketing seeks DR buyer. Excellent buying and negotiating skills. Work in our Chicago, NY, Louisville, or Bloomington,IN offices. See www.finelight.com . Send resume to
  (5/6)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR/CORP. COMM/Hallmark Channel, NY. 5+ yrs exp in corp. PR and/or media relations; strong contacts, prof. w/MS Office, exc comm skills, cable exp pref. Apply
.  (5/6)

JOB OPENING:  UPN GSM-Equity Bcsting Corp. for midsized mkt. Sales mgmt exp pref; strong work ethic, proven sales & leadership skills. Resume/Salary Req to: Sam Smith, HR,
EOE  (5/6)

JOB OPENING:  DEPT ASST/PGMING-RESEARCH, Comedy Central/NY. Admin & proj asst to VP, team. Solid admin/analytical skills. 1+ yrs exp w/rtgs &/or related int in TV pgm/res. Good w/#s, strong MS Office. Apply: www.mtvncareers.com EOE   (5/6)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP POSITIONS are all non paying jobs, available for school credit only. Nobody here gets paid – not even Cynopsis for the listing.  To learn more about posting your Internship position here, email
.
 
SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:  WE: Women’s Entertainment seeks WEBSITE INTERN. Long Island-based. Resume and cover letter to
.   (5/12)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:  IFC, the Independent Film Channel seeks WEBSITE CONTENT INTERN. NYC-based. Resume and cover letter to
. (5/12)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:  IFC, the Independent Film Channel seeks WEBSITE TECH INTERN. NYC-based. Resume and cover letter to
. (5/12)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:  Montel Williams Mgmt. firm is looking for FT / PT INTERNS. Assist in faxing, filing, casting calls, bookings, scheduling auditions and meetings. Credit available. Resume and cover letter:
   (511)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:  Nielsen TV Audience Measurement certificate program at New York University leads to jobs in media research. Classes, including internships, start June 5. Info: www.scps.nyu.edu/departments/course.jsp?courseId=53198 (5/7)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP – SCHOOL CREDIT ONLY:  MARKETING INTERN/TVN Entertainment, LA:Leader in VOD programming needs intern to assist in affiliate comms, on-air promotions & liaise w/ studios. Jrs/Srs, good writers, powerpoint. Resumes & letters to:
   (5/6)

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

SITUATION WANTED:  Persistent individual seeking an opportunity in PR . Person has previous experience at top NYC pr firms. Also continues to be involved in freelance projects. For further info contact
  (5/12)

SITUATION WANTED:  Non-credit summer INTERNSHIP/ASSISTANT in NYC film/TV production. 17 yr old high school junior seeking to gain knowledge of the entertainment industry. Responsible, hard working, smart. Contact:
   (5/11)

SITUATION WANTED:  BIZDEV/STRAT PROFESSIONAL-news,non-fict, speclty, intl prgmng;5 yrs top-tier strat consulting; strong quant/comm skills; versatile,driven,high standards;prof. in MSOffice; NYC-based but open;
  (5/11)

SITUATION WANTED:  NYC-based VOICEOVER TALENT with top representation and home studio avail. for audio commercials, promos,animation, etc.See www.thegenxvoice.com or email
for demos.   (5/10)

SITUATION WANTED:  VIDEOGRAPHY/EDITING Offering 24p quality shooting for your event, 1-3 cameras. And/or full post production and mastered DVD. For more info please contact
.   (5/7)

SITUATION WANTED:  2 time Emmy Nominated DIRECTOR for Martha Stewart Living. Avail to work in LA & NYC. References avail.  Exp. in all facets of production & post. 
  (5/6)

E-mail
for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT:  THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2005

ABC              Thursday Night Movie:  Sweet Home Alabama, Primetime Live
CBS              Survivor, CSI, Without a Trace
FOX              The O.C.
NBC              Joey, Will & Grace, The Apprentice, ER
PAX              Young Blades, Diagnosis Murder, Diagnosis Murder
UPN              WWE Smackdown
WB               Blue Collar TV, Blue Collar TV [r], Blue Collar TV [r], Blue Collar TV [r]
TELE             La Mujer en el Espejo, Los Platedos, La Ley del Silencio
UNIV             Apuesta por un Amor, La Madrastra, Aqui y Ahora