“. . . after too much reality–of either the ‘real’ or the TV kind–I just need the equivalent of a Hallmark Card. . . .

the easiest thing to do is . . . turn to the Hallmark Channel.”

Elizabeth Guider, The Hollywood Reporter

Entertainment Your Whole Family Can Enjoy

Hallmark Channel

Insidehallmarkchannel.com .

Cynopsis

07/08/08

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, July 8, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne will be back on TV as FOX ordered six one-hour episodes of an untitled variety show hosted by the eccentric married couple and their kids, Jack and Kelly. FremantleMedia North America will produce the old school variety show, filled with musical performances and comedy sketches. There is no firm premiere date set, although the network is reporting considering late fourth quarter 2009. 

Tonight’s Premieres:
BBC America: Not Going Out at 840p
BET: Baldwin Hills at 10p

Tonight’s Finales:
FOX: The Moment of Truth at 8p; Hell’s Kitchen at 9p
MTV: A Shot at Love 2 with Tila Tequila at 10p
FX: 30 Days at 1005p

The Republican National Convention is scheduled for September 1-5, at the Excel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minneapolis. The Democratic National Convention will be held August 25-28 from Denver’s Pepsi Center … and then on the last day when Barack Obama accepts the presidential nomination, from the Invesco Field at Denver’s Mile High stadium, which holds about 3-1/2 times more people at 76,000 seats.  The venue switch by the DNC on the last day is throwing network television into a frenzy as the networks work on figuring out the added costs and logistics of a third venue.  Actual coverage for both national conventions have not yet been announced, but the guess is the broadcast networks will provide an hour of coverage each evening; while the cable networks are expected to carry the full boat.

Just prior to the start of the Summer Olympics, MOJO HD is teaming with USA Today Live on A Shot at Glory, a ten-part original series profiling ten U.S. athletes. The all hi-def series will take an in-depth look at these young athletes, from their training regime to their mentors, as they try for the gold in Beijing this summer. The series begins on MOJO HD July 28 at 9p and will air each weeknight through August 8. During the same two-week period, USA Today will feature complementary articles on each of the athletes as part of the branding/content partnership between the two entities.

ION Television picked up Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution’s comedy Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, and will air the back-to-back episodes Monday-Friday from 5-6p starting this week. The weeknight hour on ION Television will be branded as “Laugh Attack” hour.

Continuing its look inside the Hogan clan, VH1 will premiere Brooke Knows Best this Sunday at 10p. Brooke is the daughter of Hulk Hogan, who at 20 years old, moves to Miami to be on her own. The show will follow her and her two roommates as she tests her wings while Hulk and her mom Linda try to curb her independence. The series is produced in conjunction with the network and Pink Sneakers Productions.

Starting September 5 at 9p, National Geographic Channel premieres a new season of Dogtown, the series featuring the southern Utah animal shelter part of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. The new season opens with a two-hour episode showing the rehabilitation of several dogs rescued from an illegal dogfighting operation owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. The series is produced by National Geographic Television for the National Geographic Channel.

Further expanding on its wedding show offerings, WE tv will debut a new original series, My Fair Wedding this fall on October 26 at 10p. The show will join the network’s WE Go Bridal weekly programming block on Sunday nights. In each of the six one-hour episodes, celebrity party planner David Tutera rescues weddings on the brink of disaster and shapes up out-of-control brides.

Dan Patrick will join the crew of NBC’s Football Night in America as highlights Co-Host. This move reunites Dan with Keith Olbermann on the show as the pair worked together on ESPN’s SportsCenter from 1992-1997. The NBC announcing team also includes host Bob Costas and co-hosts Cris Collingsworth and Olbermann, analysts Jerome Bettis and Tiki Barber and reporter Peter King.

On a related note, Showtime announced the anchors for its weekly series Inside the NFL. James Brown, Phil Simms and Cris Collingsworth will all co-host the program, airing Wednesdays as of September 10.

History will offer a new look at WWII in a new 10-part series WWII HD which will debut next year, per THR. The series will tap 3,000 hours of restored color archival footage, unpublished soldier diaries as well as original Library of Congress audio recordings as the series follows a small group of men as their paths intersect throughout the war.

Prometheus Entertainment (E!’s The Girls Next Door) got the nod from Travel Channel to produce 23 hours of original programming for the network, reported Variety. Series highlights include:

• Bridget’s Beaches – 13-episode series hosted by Bridget Marquardt (The Girls Next Door) as she travels the world’s top beach locations.
• Vegas Revolutions – six-episode series offering insight into the transition of Las Vegas into a top adult getaway location.
• Future pilot project focused on American culture and unique destinations such as Hershey, PA.

Casting Call: VH1 and Lionsgate are partners in a new series called Scream Queens which is casting ambitious and highly motivated female actresses as contestants. Those appearing on the reality competition show will vie for a chance to win an ingenue role in a Lionsgate horror film. If interested, send an email with your picture, resume and contact info to Casting Director, Dana Tomsic at

. You may also send in an audition tape and application to: Dana Lynne Tomsic, Casting 8205 Santa Monica Blvd. PMB 1-204 West Hollywood, CA 90046. The application and requirements are available at www.vh1.com/shows/casting_call .

CYNOPSIS DIGITAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY:   In an open letter to investors Carl Icahn says he’s been in talks with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on a regular basis. Steve assures him that Redmond is still interested in a deal with Yahoo, either for its search business or possibly even an outright purchase. It seems that Ballmer just isn’t interested in negotiating with the existing board, given its propensity to “mismanage” such deals. Microsoft followed up with its own short missive, confirming Mr. Icahn’s take on the matter. Yahoo, in turn, responded by calling both Mr. Icahn and Mr. Ballmer to come on down and make an offer, suggesting this latest charade was just another empty promise. Investors took the exchange as a sign of new hope, driving up Yahoo’s battered share price by more than 8%. Full edition: CYN DIGITAL.

CYNOPSIS KIDS – TODAY’S TOP STORY:  MTV Networks is teaming with Cadbury and DISH Network to launch an interactive TV ad campaign.  iTV voting and polling presented by Cadbury’s Sour Patch Kids candy will be featured and active during in The N‘s new reality series Queen Bees, which premieres this Friday, July 11 at 9p.  The campaign is available exclusively to DISH Network subscribers.  Here is how it will work – throughout the show, viewers will be prompted with three sets of questions Fill in the Blank, Sour or Sweet and Star Chart Play Along, with the results appearing on the lower third of the screen.  The questions will run before commercial breaks and the voting results will appear leading back in from the break, with Sour Patch Kids’ branding featured throughout the ad segments.  Additionally, The N will incorporate Sour Patch Kids’ product information into one question each episode. Full edition: CYN KIDS.

CYNOPSIS INTERNATIONAL – TODAY’S TOP STORY: Entertainment One (E1) went on a bit of a buying spree of late.  The Canadian entertainment content owner/distributor acquired three TV content suppliers, including the LA-based Blueprint Entertainment and Toronto’s Barna-Alper Productions and Oasis International.  E1 also inked a deal at the same time to buy Robert Lantos’ Maximum Films international and Canadian distribution units, International Film Sales and Canadian Film Distribution, to merge with its Seville Pictures. Full edition: CYN INTERNATIONAL.

Thursday – A18-49 Analysis: Opening the July Sweep, FOX started off with a bang Thursday night with 1.7/6 A18-49, according to fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen Media Research. UNIV’s Al Diablo con los Guapos took the early lead at 8p with 1.7/7. FOX owned the 9p hour as So You Think You Can Dance Results delivered a winning 2.1/7. Then at 10p, a three-way tie for #1 happened between CBS’ Swingtown, NBC’s Fear Itself and UNIV’s Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso at 1.4/5 each. 

Live + Same Day Household Ratings: Thursday, July 3, 2008 (July Sweep Day 1) – time period averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research

CBS: 4.1/8            Million Dollar Password [r] 3.9/8, CSI [r] 5.1/10, Swingtown 3.2/6

FOX: 4.0/8           Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? 3.6/8, So You Think You Can Dance Results 4.3/8

NBC: 3.0/6            Last Comic Standing 3.0/6, Fear Itself 2.9/6

ABC: 2.4/5            Ugly Betty [r] 2.1/4, Grey’s Anatomy [r] 2.0/4, Hopkins 3.2/6

UNIV: 1.8/4          Al Diablo con los Guapos 1.9/4, Fuego en la Sangre 1.9/4, La Rosa de Guadalupe 1.6/3

CW: 1.1/2             Smallville [r] 1.2/2, Supernatural [r] 0.9/2

TELE: 0.5/1           El Juramento 0.2/0, Victoria 0.6/1, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso 0.7/1

A18-49: FOX 1.7/6, NBC 1.6/6, UNIV 1.6/6, CBS 1.4/5, ABC 0.9/3, CW 0.5/2, TELE 0.4/1

Bryan Perez was appointed as SVP/GM for NBA Digital, an entity jointly managed through the partnership between Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and the NBA. In this newly formed position, Bryan will supervise daily operations for NBA Digital which encompasses NBA TV, NBA.com, WNBA.com, NBADLeague.com, NBA League Pass in addition to the league’s broadband and wireless properties. Bryan will oversee all facets of the business including programming, operations, editorial, e-commerce and marketing. Based in Atlanta, Bryan will report to David Levy, President, Turner Sports and Adam Silver, Deputy Commissioner/COO of the NBA.

MGM HD recruited five new executives for key appointments within its programming, on-air promotions, affiliate relations and advertising divisions. Overseeing operations for MGM HD is Simon Graty as SVP/Worldwide Digital Media, MGM. The new staff includes:

• Gracelyn Brown was hired as VP/Programming to oversee all programming activities and scheduling as well as the programming of MGM HD’s VOD service, MGM HD VOD. She is based in Los Angeles.
• Bernard Nguyen-Sovan was added as Manager/Programming to help with the implementation of special events, stunts and themed specials for the network. He is based in Los Angeles.
• Doug Chalfant joins as Executive Creative Director responsible for creating visibility for the MGM HD brand on-air. He will also create and execute the network’s on-air promotions plan and supervise integrated marketing campaigns for the network’s advertising partners. He is based in Los Angeles.
• Mark Zelenz is the new Executive Director/Affiliate Sales where he will manage distribution activities to cable, satellite and Telco affiliates on the East Coast. He is based in New York.
• Nicole Mulholland is employed as AE/Advertiser Sales based in New York.

Peace Arch Entertainment Group Inc. tapped Gerry Noble as CEO starting July 21. Gerry will replace interim CEO Jeff Sagansky who remains with the company as Co-Chairman of the Board Directors along with Drew Craig.

Jamila Hunter moves to NBC in the new position as SVP/Programming and Development – Alternative & Digital, NBC Entertainment. In her new role, Jamila will develop alternative programming and work with NBC Digital Entertainment with online series development and distribution as well as additional business development for web properties. She will jointly report to Craig Plestis, EVP/Alternative Programming, Development and Specials, NBC Entertainment and Vivi Zigler, President, NBCU Digital Entertainment.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CABLEU

.
This day in History: 1889 – The Wall Street Journal was first published.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  Molly Shannon had a recurring role as Will and Grace’s whacked out neighbor. What was her first name? VAL Kudos to: Kathy Martin-M2 Pictures/Hampton, VA; Jivey Rivas-Nancy Glass Productions/Philadelphia; Karen Kelly-SPUH/New Brunswick, NJ; Michael McVehil-AMNS/Stamford, CT; Tom Nankival-WKOW/Madison, WI; Deborah Collins/LA; Coleen Raymann-Disney-ABC/Burbank; Lindsey Hager-World of Wonder/Hollywood; Bernard Bourret-Verite Films/Toronto

Today’s Trivia Question:  Vendredi’s Antiques was the name of the shop that was inherited by the main character on what TV series?  (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
07.08.08

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS MEDIA: TOP TIER

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JOB OPENING: MANAGER, LISTINGS EDITOR/ABC Burbank: BA/BS, 3yrs Publicity listings, traffic, strong attention to detail, Word, Excel, apply at www.disneycareers.com (req 169058) (7/15)

JOB OPENING: SR RESEARCH ANALYST/Scripps/Knox TN in support of interactive 4 all Scripps sites. to apply: www.scrippsnetworks.com (7/15)

JOB OPENING: MGR, AD SALES RSCH/DISCOVERY/NY: Disc./Military: Monitor demographic performance, manage Nielsen analyses, write sales suppt materials/presentations. 7+yrs exp media research. Apply: www.discovery.com #8108 (7/12)

JOB OPENING: MGR, MKTG/PROMOTIONS/ABC Daytime/SOAPnet/LA: Manage consumer mktg initiatives; conceive promotions/pitch, manage events; multi-platform thinker; BA/BS, 3+ yrs exp. Apply www.disneycareers.com Req #168002 (7/12)

JOB OPENING: MGR, PRICING & PLANNING/G4, Comcast Ntwrks/NY: 4+ yrs exp, Resp for managing sales processes, stewardship, rev analysis and overseeing inventory, DealMaker exp a plus. EEO/AA/Drug Free Apply www.comcast.com 69371BR (7/12)

JOB OPENING: PUBLICIST/MANAGER/GSN SM:Energetic & creative a must with digital media design exp for our fast-paced, high-pressured ent publicity department. Email resume and salary requirements to
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JOB OPENING: DIR, CONTENT DVLPMNT & PROD, SHORT FORM/History/NY: Oversee dvlpmnt/prod of video prgrmng for multi-platform dist.10 yrs Long form & Promo prod exp; Team leadership& editorial skills essential.Apply: www.AETN.com (7/11)

JOB OPENING: MGR., AD SALES PARTNERSHIPS/LIFETIME NY: Develop integrated proposals for advertisers interested in partnering with Lifetime across our various properties/ Apply at: h ttp://www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs.html (7/11)

JOB OPENING: DIR. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT/LIFETIME NY: Source, structure & implement deals to grow Lifetime traffic and digital business. Min. 8 yrs of business development exp. Apply at: http://www.lifetimetv.com/about/jobs.html (7/11)

JOB OPENING: VP, BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS/ Active Int’l in Pearl River, NY (15 miles from NYC): Min 12 yrs exp. Acct. Mgmt/Sales & team leadership. Resumes to:
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JOB OPENING: ASSOC RESEARCHER/WGBH/Boston: Assisting in Gathering and analyzing research. BA in Communications, Business or Marketing. www.wgbh.org/careers Job Req # 4362 (7/10)

JOB OPENING: SALES/REPRESENTATION/EDITIONAL EFFECTS (EENYC)/ NYC: Production/Post-Production co. seeks representation/sales person. Company offers editorial, design, audio and production. Start ASAP. Resumes to:
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JOB OPENING: SR MOTION DESIGNER-MUSIC CHOICE-NY: Exp’d animator needed to develop high-energy motion graphics (After Effects, Maya) for original shows. BA/BS 3+ yrs prjct mgmt exp post-production environment.
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JOB OPENING: PRODUCTION MGR-DIGITAL MEDIA/Sesame Workshop/NYC: Handle all proj budgets/financials, assist w/ prod plan’g & mng prod trafficking issues. 3+ yrs web content prod exp req’d.
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WHAT’S ON TONIGHT – Tuesday, July 8, 2008

ABC: Wipeout, I Survived a Japanese Game Show, Primetime: The Outsiders
AZTECA: Lo Que La Gente Cuenta, Historias Engarzadas, Bellezas Indomables
CBS: NCIS [r], 48 Hours Mystery [r], Without A Trace [r]
CW: Beauty and the Geek [r], Reaper [r]
FOX: Moment of Truth, Hell’s Kitchen
ION: Quantum Leap, The Dead Zone, ER
MNT: Street Patrol [r], Street Patrol [r], Jail [r], Jail [r]
NBC: Celebrity Family Feud , America’s Got Talent, Law & Order: SVU [r]
PBS: Nova [r], Wide Angle, P.O.V.
TELE: El Juramento, Victoria, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso
UNIV: Al Diablo con los Guapos, Fuego en la Sangre, Aqui y Ahora

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