Cynopsis

12.01.09

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, December 1, 2009, and this is your first early morning briefing.  And as always, if you prefer to watch this morning’s news instead of reading it, click here.  

Tonight’s Premieres:
ABC: Scrubs at 9p
BBC America: Britain’s Missing Top Model at 9p
Discovery Health: I’m Pregnant and …  at 930p
Oxygen: Bad Girls Club at 10p
Science Channel: Sci-Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible at 10p

Tonight’s Finales:
FX: Sons of Anarchy at 10p
MTV: The Hills at 10p; The City at 1030p

Special Tonight: President Obama’s Address at 8p carried live on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNBC, CNN, FOX News Channel and MSNBC

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM TV GUIDE NETWORK ™

Documentary Channel (DOC) premieres a new original 30m series DocTalk on January 1 at 8p. The series will go behind-the-scenes of contemporary documentary films and the filmmakers, using in-depth interviews and footage from the films. DocTalk is produced by Documentary Channel Original Productions and will air each Friday night at 8p during 2010. Tom Neff created the series and produces along with Barry Rubinow.

Bravo uncovers the real life of fashion PR expert Kelly Cutrone in the news series Kell on Earth, premiering February 1 at 10p. Bravo follows Cutrone as she runs her fashion PR firm, People’s Revolution, attends Fashion Weeks in New York and abroad, while juggling being a single mom and a frequent guest at top functions in New York. Magical Elves produces the series for Bravo with Magical Elves’ partners Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth serving as executive producers in addition to Billy Taylor, Casey Kriley and Kelly Cutrone.

TNT canceled its legal drama Raising the Bar from Steven Bochco. TNT released this statement concerning the show which indicates the show did not perform to the levels the network needed to keep it on the air for another season.

Yesterday, Charter Communications finalized its eight-month restructuring process and has emerged out of bankruptcy protection after filing last March 27. Charter also indicated a new stock will be issued within 45 days after emerging from bankruptcy, making it available sometime in mid-January. Charter further stated it is now in a position to operate with a positive free cash flow as it reduced more than $830 million in annual interest expense. Charter’s outstanding debt is now at $13.5 billion which is on par with other publicly traded MSOs.

Starting December 7, PBS will re-launch its nightly newscast as PBS NewsHour based on its partnership with Boston-based foreign affairs website GlobalPost. The news show will no longer sport Jim Lehrer’s name as part of the title and the revamp will include Lehrer and a rotating roster of co-anchors including Gwen Ifill, Judy Woodruff and Jeffrey Brown. The partnership between PBS and GlobalPost includes weekly video reports for the broadcast and the NewsHour website in addition to possible co-produced series on specific topics. GlobalPost’s correspondents and executive editor Charles Sennott may also appear on NewsHour. 

Planet Green acquired three new series from Canada and the UK; all making their US premieres on the network during first quarter 2010:

• Blood, Sweat & Takeaways – Six young fast food junkies find out how their favorite foods are really produced. Four one-hour episodes premiere January 4 at 10p. Produced by Ricochet and distributed by Outright Distribution.
• Blood, Sweat & T-Shirts – A group of fashion-savvy individuals travel to India to work on a clothing production line and find out how their favorite chic and cheap brands are really manufactured. Four one-hour episodes premiere February 1 at 10p. Produced by Ricochet and distributed by Outright Distribution.
• Conviction Kitchen – Executive chef Marc Thuet and his wife and business partner Biana Zorich train 24 ex-cons on how to open a restaurant in only three weeks. Eight one-hour episodes debut January 6 at 10p. Produced by Cineflix (Dinners) Inc. and distributed by Cineflix International Media Ltd.

AmericanLife TV Network (ALN) picked up the exclusive domestic TV rights to World Combat League (WCL) created by action film and TV star, Chuck Norris. The series launched on ALN last month; the series previously aired on VERSUS in the US and currently airs in more than 120 countries globally. The first two seasons of WCL will be available to ALN in addition to other WCL programming such as first run specials Top 30 KO’s, Greatest Knock Out/Knock Downs and Women of the WCL.

Syfy approved a new supernatural drama series called Haven, based on the Stephen King novella The Colorado Kid. Thirteen episodes of Haven will be produced by E1 Entertainment and it is the first program to be produced for Syfy Pay channels worldwide (excluding Canada and Scandinavia). Production begins early next year and the series is expected to premiere in 2010. E1 Entertainment will also be involved with international distribution of the series. The plot is set in the town of Haven, Maine, where individuals with paranormal abilities have lived for generations because the town stifles their powers, allowing them to lead normal lives. That is until FBI agent Audrey Parker comes to town to solve a murder and discovers a deeper mystery about the town. Scott Shepherd will be the showrunner with Lloyd Segan and Shawn Piller serving as executive producers along with E1 Entertainment’s John Morayniss and Noreen Halpern. Sam Ernst and Jim Dunn are writing the pilot and will also serve as executive producers; Adam Fratto also co-executive produces.

ABC granted a pilot order for the single-camera comedy Funny in Farsi based on the memoir by Firoozeh Dumas. The project will be directed and executive produced by Barry Sonnenfeld (Pushing Daisies) and produced by ABC Studios. Funny in Farsi is about Dumas’ childhood, growing up in Newport Beach, CA in the 1970s after his family moved to the US from Iran. Jeffrey Hodes adapted the book and Nastaran Dibai wrote the pilot script.

FOX is working with actor Matthew McConaughey to develop the animated comedy Rooster Tales inspired by his brother’s life, reports Variety. Rooster Tales is about a beer-drinking, redneck sheriff who marries a much younger woman from Mexico, then soon realizes her entire family, all 114+ members becomes a part of his life. The project is in the script phase with Twentieth Century Fox Television set to produce. FOX picked up Rooster Tales following competitive bids from TBS and Comedy Central. McConaughey will executive produce via his J.K. Livin’ Production company along with Mike “Rooster” McConaughey, Mark Gustawes and writer Kell Cahoon.

Alec Baldwin, star of NBC’s 30 Rock announced he will retire from acting when his sitcom contract expires in 2012. Baldwin further says he wants to pursue other accomplishments and is not interested in acting any longer.

Former Veronica Mars star Ryan Devlin was tapped for a recurring role on ABC’s comedy Cougar Town, per THR. Devlin will play Smith a love interest for Laurie (Busy Phillipps), Jules’ (Courteney Cox) dizzy assistant and friend. Just recently, Devlin starred in the feature film Weather Girl.

Lucas Black and Cary Elwes will star along with Sam Shepard in new premium channel Epix’s inaugural pilot, Tough Trade about the Nashville music dynasty, the Tucker family. Tough Trade is produced by Lionsgate TV and Black will play a highly talented guitarist/singer and part of the Tucker clan who could have followed the Tucker path started by his grandfather (Shepard) and father (Elwes). Epix is readying the original series for a 2010 debut.

Making a first appearance possibly next April, Aunjanue Ellis will become the new head of the California Bureau of Investigation on CBS’ The Mentalist. Ellis replaces the unit’s former chief Virgil Minelli, played by Gregory Itzin who left the show to return to FOX’s 24 reprising his role as former President Charles Logan.

A trio of actors will star in the upcoming 60m drama Shattered, set to air on Canada’s Showcase network next year. Callum Keith Rennie (FlashForward) will play Ben Sullivan, a homicide detective suffering from multiple personality disorder; Molly Parker (The Road) will play Ben’s wife, Ella; and Camille Sullivan (Da Vinci’s Inquest) will play Ben’s new partner on the force, Amy Lynch. Shattered, produced by E1 Entertainment and Force Four Films, started production recently in Vancouver.

Casting Call:   Edelman Productions announced casting is underway in the Washington, D.C. area for the third season of Real Estate Intervention on HGTV. If you are a homeowner in the D.C. metro area and would like real estate expert Mike Aubrey to offer impartial real estate advice and professional home staging services from Sabrina Sotowill, send an email to [email protected]. In the email, include the following information: names and ages of everyone in your household; address and phone numbers; how long your home has been on the market; pricing history; photos of you and your family; a photo of your home’s exterior as well as photos of the interior; and your reasons for selling.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM THE GEORGE FOSTER PEABODY AWARDS

Wednesday  A18-49 Analysis: As November Sweeps ended, CBS finished first Wednesday night primetime among A18-49 at 2.6/8, according to final national ratings from Nielsen. At 8p, NBC’s The Biggest Loser special won with a 2.6/8 followed by CBS posting a 1.7/6 for the average of comedies Old Christine and Gary Unmarried. CBS took over at 9p with Criminal Minds delivering a 3.2/9 with the second half of NBC’s The Biggest Loser special next at 2.8/8. CBS remained on top through 10p with CSI: NY at 2.8/9 and NBC’s The Jay Leno Show placed second with 1.6/5.

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 (November Sweep Day 28) time period averages. Source: NTI Galaxy, as dated. Live+SD.

CBS: 6.7/12          Old Christine 4.2/8, Gary Unmarried 4.0/7, Criminal Minds 8.2/14, CSI: NY 7.9/15

NBC: 4.1/7             The Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now? 4.5/8, The Jay Leno Show 3.2/6

FOX: 3.3/6            So You Think You Can Dance 3.0/5, Glee 3.6/6

ABC: 3.2/6              Modern Family [r] 3.4/6, The Middle 3.5/6, Modern Family 4.1/7, Cougar Town 3.3/6, Eastwick 2.4/4

UNIV: 1.9/3           En Nombre Del Amor 1.8/3, Sortilegio 2.3/4, Don Francisco Presenta 1.5/3

CW: 0.8/1             Gracie 0.8/1

ION: 0.6/1            Ghost Whisperer 0.7/1, Ghost Whisperer 0.5/1, Criminal Minds 0.7/1

TELE: 0.5/1          Mas Sabe El Diablo 0.7/1, Ninos Ricos 0.4/1, Victorinos 0.4/1

A18-49: CBS 2.6/8, NBC 2.4/7, FOX 2.0/6, ABC 1.7/5, UNIV 1.4/4, TELE 0.5/2, CW 0.4/1, ION 0.3/1

Fox National Cable Networks announced David Sternberg, EVP/COO, Emerging Networks will be departing the company at the end of December. David has been with the company for nearly twelve years. Fox’s Emerging Networks Group consists of FUEL TV, Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Espanol. CJ Olivares, GM will continue to manage FUEL TV, reporting to Rich Battista, President, Fox National Cable Networks. New management for Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Espanol will be announced at a later date.

John Ankwicz advances to EVP/Production with Telepictures Productions where he will continue to supervise production and personnel on all television series produced by Telepictures. John reports directly to Hilary Estey McLoughlin, President.

Lisa Zeff and Veronique Bernard launched the new production financing company, Myriad Entertainment this week. The New York City-based company will specialize in international co-productions.

Alta Loma Entertainment, Inc., the mainstream production unit of Playboy Enterprises, Inc., promoted Jason Burns to SVP and added J.W. Starrett as Director/Development. Jason will continue managing all development and production of original content for multiple platforms including TV, film and digital. J.W. will develop Playboy branded content as well as non-branded content across all platforms.

This day in History:  1955 – Rosa Parks, a black seamstress in Montgomery, AL, refused to give up her seat to a white man. Mrs. Parks was arrested marking a milestone in the civil rights movement in the U.S.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  Synthia Saint James art work is featured in what television series?  WHILE SAINT JAMES ART HAS BEEN SEEN ON MANY TV SERIES, IT WAS MOST NOTABLY FEATURED ON THE COSBY SHOW  Kudos to: Rob Schuller-WCRB/Boston; Susan Dato/NY; Joyce Pizzo-Deutsche Bank/NY; Lori Reed-HBO/NY; Jonathan Pinkerton-Nashville Entertainment Examiner/Nashville; Renee Rochman-Vision Media Advertising Group/Anthem, AZ; Devetta McIntyre-Reach Media/Dallas; Joe Whitaker-Matrix Global/Arroya Grande; Debbie Clark-2 Blondes at Work/Granada Hills

Today’s Trivia Question:  If you’re having a Buzz Micro-Beer, what city are you in?  (Email [email protected] 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
12.01.09

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

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

JOB OPENING: SR CLIENT ANALYST/MSA Media/NY: Manage cable nets on Gabriel/other SW. Perform biz svcs, issue resolution, training, Jr acct mgmt duties, prod planning. Tech knowledge preferred. Send res/$ to [email protected] (12/8)

JOB OPENING: VP, CREATIVE SVCS/Disney ABC Domestic TV/LA: Min 8 yrs in broadcast advertising; lead all aspects creative production (a/v, trade, consumer, print). Solid leader/mgmt skills. Apply www.disneycareers.com #215363  (12/8)

JOB OPENING: VP, BUS & LEGAL AFFAIRS/MTVN/NYC: 6+ yrs in antipiracy/litigation related to protection of copyrighted content; Exp in tech related investigations/IP related transactions; JD/NY Bar Req’d www.mtvnetworkscareers.com  (12/8)

JOB OPENING: SR ACCT EXEC/ElectricArtists/NY: Online mktg, PR, social media & promo initiatives. Expert ideation & project mgt 5-8+ yrs mktg, project mgt, PR. Online media, TV, or major consum brand. [email protected] (12/5)

JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/ION/NY: Entry level, Nielsen/MRI, quantitative analysis exp required, College Degree req’d, Business Degree a +, proficient in MS Office. Apply to [email protected] (12/5)

JOB OPENING:  FREELANCE MARKETING/RETAIL MANAGER/ Nickelodeon Publishing/NYC. 3+yrs Marketing exp, Retail or publishing exp A+, Knowledge of Children’s publishing A+, Strong Org Skills EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Resumes to [email protected] (12/5)

JOB OPENING: MGR, RESEARCH/ANALYTICS/Hulu/LA: 5+ yrs media/mktg rsrch exp. Strong analytical/data interpretation/preso skills. Nielsen/comScore systems and proj. mgmt exp. req’d. Job description. EOE.  Send resumes: hulu.com (12/4)

JOB OPENING: NEWS SERVICES SALES:  National distributor seeking experienced station sales representative to sell news services. Candidate must have local news and syndication sales experience. [email protected] (12/3)

JOB OPENING: SALES SERVICE EXEC/National Football League/NY: Work closely with the Acct Exec selling and servicing new and existing national & corp sponsorships to direct clients & advertising agencies. Apply@ www.nfl.apply2jobs.com (12/3)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/NFL/NY: Exp’d media sales professional to provide mktg/media solutions to new & existing nat’l advrtsrs. Pckg/sell media across NFL.com & NFL Wireless. Work w/ TV sales team. Apply@ www.nfl.apply2jobs.com (12/3)

JOB OPENING:  ADV PLATFORM SALES MGR/NY/Cablevision: Exp’d Sales Prof to drive ad rev. & new biz.Excel rels w/ media clients & proven sales record. www.cablevision.jobs ref#9563BR (12/3)

JOB OPENING: PREDITOR: LI based media co seeks Preditor with extensive promo exp within the cable/network news, sports or music arena. Must be a Final Cut Pro MASTER. Send resume and link to your reel to: [email protected] (12/2)

JOB OPENING: DIR PROMOTIONS/GSN/Santa Monica: Exp in TV/media  securing partnerships and promotions, strategy planning and executing cross platform initiatives. Email Res & CL to [email protected] (12/2)

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 [email protected] .

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: NYC doc prod. co. seeks exp’d, orgnzd & energetic JRS/SRS. Fast-paced envir. Pls specify “dvlpmnt” “accting” or “prod” in app. Office, shoot, post-prod & dvlpmnt work.. Email:  [email protected]  (12/8)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: NYC Boutique TV Syndication Co. seeks diligent undergrad to assist in daily operations. Duties include creation of mktg/promo materials,contracts, etc. MS Office & strong comm skill required. Email [email protected] (12/5)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: MARKETING INTERN/truTV, NY: Support marketing department (consumer, affiliate, & ad sales). Majors: Comm., Mktg, Adv. Skills: Writing, Computer, Phone, Rsrch. Apply Online: www.turnerjobs.com – Requisition # 107860BR (12/5)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  Electric   MKTG INTERN:Research, analytical reporting, admin tasks. Excel, PPT & Twitter-savvy. Undergrad,3 days per week. Reply: [email protected]   w/ res/cover   (12/4)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:EVENT PROD/MGMNT: Small Elite Event Co. NYC; Needs energetic person;Exc organizational/computer skills,admin support; Flex sched 2/3 days/wk. JR/SR. [email protected] (12/2)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  TV/Film Development: Superb Entertainment/NBC Universal: looking for an excellent writer to provide administrative support and also contribute to projects as its a small company 2-3 days a week [email protected] (12/1)

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 [email protected]

SITUATION WANTED:  TRAFFIC MANAGER with 13 years exp seeks position in Radio/TV/Online or traffic software in NY/NJ. [email protected] (12/5)

SITUATION WANTED: 5 PRIME TIME EMMYS/ DOC. PROD, DIR., WRITER in L.A. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected] (12/5)

SITUATION WANTED: MARKETING POSITION: 10+ years of account management experience. Trustworthy, intelligent and hardworking. Email me for a resume: [email protected] (12/5)

SITUATION WANTED: Available LOGGER seeking transcription work. Can transcribe interviews, B-roll and various types of footage. Onsite or Virtual. Email: [email protected] (12/3)

SITUATION WANTED: PERSONAL ASSISTANT POSITION. Organized, diligent, and reliable with background in writing, PR, event planning, and Web management. English/French fluent w/ written comprehension of Dutch. Contact: [email protected] (12/2)

SITUATION WANTED:  DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION & ART DIRECTION (NYC):   20 years experience working concept through completion. Portfolio: www.baerdavis.com Email: [email protected] (12/2)

E-mail [email protected] or call Trish Pihonak at 203.926.9878 for rates and specs for Job Openings.

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

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT –  TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2009

ABC: ABC News Coverage of Presidential Address (8-9p), Scrubs [p], Scrubs, The Forgotten
AZTECA: Los Que Callamos Las Mujeres Edicion Especial, Los 25 Mas, Al Extremo
CBS: CBS News Coverage of President Obama Speech (8-830p), NCIS, Two & a Half Men, Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
CW: 90210, Melrose Place
FOX: President Obama Speech to the Nation (8-830p), So You Think You Can Dance (830-1030p)
ION: Ghost Whisperer, Criminal Minds, Criminal Minds
NBC:  Presidential Address to the Nation, Biggest Loser 9-11p
PBS:  Nova, American Masters [r], PBS Previews: The National Parks
TELE: Mas Sabe el Diablo; Ninos Ricos, Padres Pobres; Victorinos
UNIV: En Nombre del Amor, Sortilegio, Aqui y Ahora

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