CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis

02/01/05

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, February 1, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing.

And the badda-bing goes to ….. A&E! A&E has acquired HBO’s The Sopranos in what is being reported as a $2.5 million per ep deal for 65 eps plus an additional 10-12 episodes from the final season.  The Sopranos will begin airing on A&E in the fall of 2006.

Tonight’s Premieres:
Univision        Jugando al Amor at 10p

Despite nearly wall to wall repeats (with the one exception being the 7p hour), ABC handily won the night among A18-49 according to Nielsen Media Research fast affiliate ratings by posting an overall 5.7/14, well ahead of #2 CBS’ 3.8/9.  The evening began with an original ep of AFV winning the hour with a 3.6/10 A18-49.  Two hours of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition at 8p and 9p helped secure the network’s #1 status by posting a 6.8/16 and 7.0/15 respectively. Desperate Housewives at 10p (outside its normal 9p time period) earned a 5.7/14, also #1 in the time period. What perhaps makes it all the more remarkable, is NBC and CBS were fully original programming, while Fox was original up until 9p.  CBS’ Hallmark Hall of Family film at 9p drew a solid 4.2/10 in the demo.

Casting / Development / Production:

• Immediately on the heels of wrapping Everybody Loves Raymond, Patricia Heaton signed a development deal with ABC, starring in various projects, taking a co-exec prod title, and developing new projects in conjunction with Four Boys  Films (her own prod co with her husband David Hunt).
• Nickelodeon has signed two talent development deals – one with Lil’ JJ (14 year old rapper), and the other with Shelbie Bruce (Spanglish). Both will appear in current Nick shows as well as new projects, potentially include both television and film.
• And another talent development deal – this one between Paramount Network TV and Barbara Hall, the creator behind CBS’ series Joan of Arcadia, and exec prod of CBS’ Judging Amy. The deal gives Paramount first look rights to any Hall project
• FX has ordered a script of a drama project called El Centro, written by Donal Logue who will also produce and star in the project. The action takes place in a desert town on the California/Mexico border; Logue would play the Sheriff.  Thus far, no studio is attached.
• WB has ordered a pilot of The Prince (Warner Bros. TV/Berlanti-Liddell Prods/Fort Hill Prods), a project produced by Matt LaBlanc and Greg Berlanti. The story is about the second son of a well to do family in NYC, and the relationship between father and son following the death of the eldest son.
• Two orders from NBC for cast-contingent sitcoms – Confessions of a Dog (NBC Universal TV/Doozer Prods) centers on three college friends written by Eric Weinberg; and Early Bird (NBC Universal TV/3 Arts) about a young 20-ish guy who moves into a retirement community.

ESPN’s Dream Job (ESPN Original Ent/Jumbolaya Prods) returns in February with a new season featuring former NBA players, all looking to win the one year deal as an ESPN sportscaster. Playing in this game will be Dana Barros, Dee Brown, Matt Bullard, Darryl Dawkins, J.R. Reid and Gerald Wilkins. The show tips off on February 20 at 7pm, and then airs for the next five weeks on Sundays at 10p.

OLN will launch three free VOD networks this year, networks consisting of libraried content as well as original programming exclusive to the networks.  The first two nets to launch will be Hazardous and Hooks & Bullets, each kicking off in April and available via IN DEMAND, TVN and Comcast Media Center.  The third net, OLN HD, will launch on a test basis in fourth qtr.  Hazardous will include programming about BMX, wake boarding and adventure racing to skiing, paintball and military competition. Hooks & Bullets is targeting those lean toward field sports such as hunting and fishing.  OLN HD will include OLN’s hi def offerings including Lance Chronicles, Gravity Games, National Parks Extreme Adventure, and others.

Lifetimetv.com will launch webisodes called Kiss & Tell with Dr. Ian Kerner, a noted s#x and relationship expert and author of Be Honest – You’re Not That Into Him Either.   The webisodes kick off on February 1 with a series of vignettes focusing on the common pitfalls of dating.  A new webisode will
debut every other week.  Other related interactive components include message boards, polls and an opportunity to submit questions to Kerner.

PAX TV will launch a new primetime series on March 8 at 9p called Lie Detector (Mark Philips Philms & Telephision)with host Rolanda Watts. The show begins by presenting three different headline news stories, all told by the subject of the news story.  Some are incredible, some appear to absolutely true.  Following a familiarization with the story, each of the “storytellers” will undergo a polygraph exam, when we the viewers then learn if this person is telling the truthful story, or if they are lying. 

The Godfather – the video game.  The game will be unveiled by Electronic Arts on February 10 in Little Italy, NYC; though the game itself won’t be released until Fall.  Participating in the development of the game were James Caan and Robert Duvall, who played Sonny Corleone and Tom Hagen in the original Francis Ford Coppola film.  Prior to his death, Marlon Brando provided his voice for the project, as have Caan and Duvall.  In the game, players will create their own mob character and then attempt to ‘work their way up’ in the family.

Casting Call:  So you want to be an Apprentice?  If you’re in NYC on Friday, you may get your chance. You’ll want to be a 40 Wall Street, The Trump Building, in plenty of time to get your contestant wristband by 8am.  Appearing will be Trump and the winners of the last two rounds of NBC’s The Apprentice, Bill Rancic and Kelly Perdew. Interviews begin at 9am.  Bring your A Game, you’re gonna need it.

Matthew Gaven has been named VP/Television Development for Merv Griffin Entertainment, and brings with him to the post a slate of projects already in development under his Street Smart Entertainment banner.  His direct at MGE is to increase its reach into a variety of genres, including unscripted, semi-scripted, comedy, game shows, among others. He will be based in Beverly Hills.

Richard Bressler, CFO of Viacom Inc., will leave his post, more than a year before the expiration date on his contract. Just a month ago, Bressler said he planned to re-sign with Viacom for another term once his current deal expired in March 2006.  A replacement has not been named and Bressler will stay at his post until a new CFO has been identified.

The TV Guide Television Group has named Kathryn Koegel VP/Marketing for the network advertising sales division. Kathryn is based in New York and reports to Richy Glassberg, the SVP/Advertising Sales for the TV Guide Television Group.  She will oversee ad sales marketing efforts for TV Guide Channel; Gemstar-TV Guide’s interactive program guide businesses for both digital cable and consumer electronics products; and TV Guide’s new on demand network.

Starz Entertainment Group LLC announced the appointment of Keno V. Thomas to the new position of SVP/Affiliates Sales. Keno will be focusing on SEG’s DIRECTV account, and based out of the company’s El Segundo office.   He makes the move to SEG from Entriq Inc., a pay media technology company.

Court TV upped two in its Daytime Programming Department:  Tim Sullivan up to SVP/Daytime Programming, and Wendy Whitman to Senior Executive Producer. Tim will now be managing the day-to-day responsibilities of the network’s trial coverage and news stories, and will work to keep up the network’s visibility as the nation’s leading trial experts. Wendy will now coordinate live daytime coverage, and will manage the daily production of the trials being covered on the network.

Sunday, January 30, 2005. Fast Affiliate Ratings for all Networks – time period averages.  Source: Nielsen Media Research.
[p] = Premiere; [r] = Repeat

CBS     11.2/17 60 Minutes 9.5/15, Cold Case 10.6/16, Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie: Magic of Ordinary Days 12.3/18

ABC     8.1/12   AFV 6.1/10, EM: HD [r] 9.2/14, EM: HD [r] 9.0/13, Desperate Housewives [r] 8.3/13

NBC     6.8/10   Dateline 5.1/8, American Dreams 4.8/7, Law & Order: CI 9.2/13, Crossing Jordan 8.2/13

FOX     4.0/6    King of the Hill 3.2/5, Malcolm 3.6/6, Simpsons 5.7/9, Arrested Development 4.1/6, Family Guy [r] 3.7/5, Simpsons [r] 4.0/6

WB      1.7/3    Summerland [r] 1.0/2, Charmed 2.3/3, Steve Harvey’s Big Time 1.7/2

A18-49  ABC 5.7/14, CBS 3.8/9, NBC 3.4/8, Fox 3.1/8, WB 1.1/3

A MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

The History Channel presents This Day in History:
1790 – As a new republic is born, the United States Supreme Court gathers for the first time in New York City.
 
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  What show was nicknamed “America’s Press Conference of the Air”?  MEET THE PRESS.  Kudos to:  Elizabeth Barker-Initiative Media/NY; Peter Hamilton-Rubenstein Assoc/NY; Bobby Larsen-Active Int’l/Pearl River; Andrew Hunn-Rainbow Networks/NY; Wil Allmendinger-Tribune/Chicago; Dan Thomson-Media First Int’l/Minneapolis; Barb Throm-Smart Media/St. Louis; George Choderker/LA; Rose Pacatte-Pauline Center for Media Studies/Culver City; Jason Rosenberg-MVP Home Ent/LA; Bob Ramsey-KSWB/San Diego; Sheldon Wiebe-Eclipse Magazine/Calgary.

A MESSAGE FROM COURT TV

Today’s Trivia Question: You know what Chariots of Fire is in the movies; but what is it on primetime TV? (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.)

Later — Cyn
02.01.05    5:07am

To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change a subscription for any Cynopsis edition: www.cynopsis.com

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 2005

Cyn opsis  CLASSIFIEDS – read by 101,600+ Cynopsis & Cynopsis Kids! readers every day.

JOB OPENING:  OFFICE ASST (2) in Westchester & NYC.  Exc multi-tasker, professional manner, detailed, organized, can handle confidential info, proactive, computer proficient. Clg Grad. Apply:
   (2/8)

JOB OPENING:  SALES ASSISTANT/Galavision, NY. Detail-oriented, exc comm/math/MS Office skills; to asst Sales Team w/presentation prep/reports/clerical work. Spanish speaking highly pref. Resume:
  (2/15)

JOB OPENING:  NATIONAL BROADCAST SUPERVISOR-ICON International/Stamford CT. 4-7 yrs buying exp in nat’l bcst w/major ad firm. Strong math, negotiating & comm. skills, detailed and comp. Proficient. Apply www.icon-intl.com EOE   (2/8)

JOB OPENING:  Consumer Prdts, Nickelodeon, NY. ALL LEVELS OF POSITIONS. Must have licensing, product development experience. Qualified Candidates apply via www.mtvncareers.com EOE (2/8)

JOB OPENING:  BROADCAST RESEARCH SUPERVISOR, MEDIAVEST/NYC. Quantitative programming research. Strong data analysis and TV research background. 2-3 yrs experience. Please e-mail resumes to
  (2/8)

JOB OPENING:  MGR/GLOBAL MKTG, Nickelodeon, NY.  Manage/dev mktg of network & movie props in Cons Prdts. Min 5 yrs exp. dev/exec adv campaigns, promotions & press activities. Apply: www.mtnvcareers.com EOE (2/5)

JOB OPENING:  DIRECTOR, MEDIA PLNG/Spike TV, NY. Develop/execute on air media strategy to promote pgming, build brand and maximize inventory. Min 4 yrs media plng. exp. Proven staff mgr. Apply: www.mtnvcareers.com EOE (2/5)

JOB OPENING:  PRGM SALES SPECIALIST AETN-NY. Manage the mktg of int’l prgm sales thru mtgs, sales-sheets, newsletters, catalogs. Media mktg, copywriting & Int’l exp req. Resume to
   (2/4)

JOB OPENING:  ONLINE MKTG ANALYST, Scripps Networks, TN. Research proficient; exp w/Web dev. & analytics, project mgmt, dbase mktg. Research tools experience include Cognos PowerPlay. Apply:
Job#4183-U  (2/3)

JOB OPENING:  SR. RESEARCH ANALYST, Comedy Central/NYC. Quantitative programming research. Strong data analysis and TV research background. 2-3 yrs experience.  Please apply at  www.mtvncareers.com. EOE (2/2)

JOB OPENING:  MEDIA SPOTBUYING SUPERVISOR. Miami advertising agency seeks broadcast buyer with 6+ years experience with major accounts. Email:
  (2/2)

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

SITUATION WANTED:  LA-PR/ MARKETING EXEC. w/15+ years  in TV pr seeking communications position.  Creative, strategic thinker directed campaigns in all genres, writing, editing, major events and crises.   E-mail: 
  (2/8)

SITUATION WANTED:  SALES/MARKETING/RESEARCH, NYC (reloc OK) Cable Mktg background. Experience in Acct Mgmt & Ad Sales. Coordinated marketing events as well as field & retail campaigns. Howard U/NYU Cont. Ed.

  (2/5)

SITUATION WANTED:  Organized, efficient, multi-tasker w/ college degree searching position in TV PROD. NYC, will work for free for experience, eager to learn,
  (2/4)

SITUATION WANTED:  Prime Time Emmy Award winning doc PRODUCER/ WRITER/DIRECTOR for National Geographic, Discovery & History Channel. Exp. in all facets of production & post. Looking for next great challenge! nyehouse
   (2/3)

SITUATION WANTED:  GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERNSHIP – Senior graphic design student at Cal State Northridge looking for an internship for the spring semester. Contact
  (2/2)

E-mail
for rates and specs for Job Openings. Your ad will be read by 101,600+ Cynopsis & Cynopsis Kids! readers every day. No wonder Cynopsis ads get results.

WHAT’S ON TONIGHT: FEBRUARY 1, 2005:

ABC              My Wife & Kids, George Lopez, According to Jim, Rodney, NYPD Blue
CBS              NCIS, Amazing Race, Judging Amy
FOX              American Idol, House
NBC              Most Outrageous TV Moments, Scrubs, Committed, L&O: SVU
PAX              Young Blades, Early Edition, Cold Turkey
UPN              All of Us, Eve, Veronica Mars
WB               Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill
TELE             La Mujer en el Espejo, Gitanas, Te Voy a Ensenar a Querer
UNIV             Rubi, Amor Real, Jugando al Amor [p]