Wednesday, November 16th, 2005


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC CABLE DISTRIBUTION


VERONICA MARS
A Smart, Intelligent Series with a Fabulous Star in Kristen Bell

UP YEAR-TO-YEAR:
+13%
W18-49, +17% W18-34, +28% F12-34

VERONICA MARS
Available exclusively from Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution
WBDCD.com: Get with the programming  online.Source: NTI Explorer, US Rtg, Season Premiere To Date (9/19-11/13/05 vs. 9/20-11/14/04).


CYNTHIA TURNER’S
Cynopsis


11/16/05

Good morning.  It’s Wednesday, November 16, 2005, and this is your first early morning briefing. 

The report from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting‘s Inspector General Kenneth Konz reveals that former CPB Chairman, Kenneth Tomlinson violated the ethics of the office he held in hiring Patricia Harrison, former co-chairperson of the Republican National Committee, as the new CPB President and CEO.  Stepping even further into the murky waters of unethical behavior, Konz writes in his report that Tomlinson, “violated his fiduciary responsibilities and statutory prohibitions against Board member involvement in programming decisions” in his participation in the development of The Journal Editorial Report, a public affairs program.  In addition Konz’s report reproached Tomlinson for making decisions and moves without the consultation of the CPB Board of Directors when he ordered the monitoring of public TV and radio programs, including Now with Bill Moyers and The Diane Rehm Show.  However, the report vindicated Tomlinson for hiring two ombudsmen for the CPB as well as his using a Bush White House staff member to write a press release and draft talking points regarding the hiring of those ombudsmen.  Also included in Inspector General Konz’s report was a statement from Tomlinson stating that he was “disappointed, but not surprised,” by the findings.

* MORE GOOD STUFF *Discovery Health Channel has set December 27 at 8p for the premiere of a new original weekly series Dr. Know, starring Dr. Paul Trotman, a real doctor (not just one on TV). Dr. Trotman is a New Zealand native and in each episode will disprove, discredit and debunk medical and health myths, folk tales and not to tru-isms. Dr. Know is produced by Discovery Prod Group.

PBS has ordered up a 4th season of History Detective, set to premiere next summer, from Oregon Public Broadcasting and UK’s Lion Television. History Detectives combines forensic technology and detective work to find out more about family legends, stories behind potentially extraordinary object in normal American homes, cities and towns.

CNBC is launching a global 2-hour daily business news program with anchors in New York, London and Singapore.  The show (thus far without an official title), is set to launch on December 19 replacing Wake-Up Call, and will utilize CNBC, CNBC Europe and CNBC Asia resources.  It will focus on international trend analysis, global investments and live reports from key global financial centers.  The broadcast will be anchored by Michelle Caruso-Cabrera in New York, Ross Westgate in London and Christine Tan in Singapore.  Jeremy Pink, CNBC’s VP/International News and Programming, will run the program.  Also Squawk Box will get a new set of anchors with Becky Quick and Carl Quintanilla, with editor Joel Kernen.  And Mark Haines will anchor an additional hour of from 9-10a with David Faber called Squawk on the Street.

And changes at MSNBC with the cancellation of Connected Coast to Coast, and weekend series MSNBC at the Movies and MSNBC Entertainment Hot List.  While no official announcements on what will replace each of these series, we do know the new Maury Povich/Connie Chung weekend series will show up on the schedule on Saturday morning as of January 7 at 10a, and repeating on Sunday mornings.

It just seems that whenever ABC re-discovers they have Regis Philbin in the house (which they seem to forget from time to time), they suddenly put him everywhere.  Regis is still headlining his morning talk show with Kelly Ripa, and has recently been named the new host of the special series This is Your Life, and now will also return to host New Year’s Rockin’ Eve to drop the ball in New York’s Times Square. 

Note to self: Gabriel Byrne just doesn’t do enough primetime TV.  Isn’t there someone you can talk to about that?

* NEW ORDERS / CASTING / DEVELOPMENT / PRODUCTION *Joining the cast of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy from Touchstone Television Production will be Sara (Sod-da) Ramirez for a seven episode arc. 

here! has ordered up a second season of its original series Dante’s Cove. This is the first original series for the network to be renewed. Production is scheduled to begin in early 2005 with six one-hour episodes.

CBS has ordered a script with penalty of a 60m comedy/drama starring Minnie Driver  and called Keep Up with the Jones’, written by Cliff Dorfman and co-created by Dorfman and Gavin O’Connor. Driver plays an undercover agent who works with her husband/partner, and they attempt to save their on-the-rocks marriage while also saving the world. Solaris and Paramount Network TV.

TNT has cast Michael Rispoli and Billy Burke in the pilot of its drama project Talk to Me about hostage negotiators. The pilot was written by Paul Guyot and will be directed by Nick Gomez.

Gigi Levangie Grazer’s best selling novel The Starter Wife is being developed into a six part miniseries for the USA Network. The story is about a woman who has long been married to a Hollywood studio executive, and is no getting divorced. The script will be written by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott, and produced by 3 Arts Entertainment and NBC Universal TV.

E! has ordered up a new unscripted series where cameras follow the day-in and day-out life of singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb called #1 Single. E! plans eight half hour episodes, which is set to premiere after the first of the year.

Comedy Central has picked up a new series called American Lives from DreamWorks Television.  If this one sounds familiar, it should – the show was bandied about by NBC as a potential addition to its primetime lineup. NBC passed and now the show has a new home at Comedy Central. The cabler has ordered 10 episodes of this half-scripted/half-improv’d series from exec producer Dan Mazer.  Comedy Central plans to add it to their primetime schedule this summer.

Casting Call:  Perhaps you remember the great fun the cooks obviously had last year, or the warm and fuzzy response they received from this show’s host chef – and if not, perhaps you do recall the big payoff for the winner?  Here ye, here ye, Hell’s Kitchen is opening for business again and is looking for a new group of contestant chefs.  You don’t need to be a professional, though that’s okay, but you must love to cook and have a huge passion for cooking that will override any trepidation you may have of being within striking range of Chef Gordon Ramsey. Casting begins in approx 2 weeks – email them now and let them know you’re interested at
or
, and be sure to put “Brenda – Hell’s Kitchen” in the subject line. Include your name, age, occupation, the extent of your culinary skills, city, contact info and television number and why you’d be perfect for this show, and a photo if possible. Good luck!

* EXECUTIVE MOVES *Robin Garfield has joined the Scripps Networks research department in the newly created position of VP/Sales Research and Strategy.  Robin will lead the efforts of the Scripps Networks Sales and Strategic Research teams in supporting the growing research and information needs of the ad sales, affiliate sales, corporate communications and business strategy departments

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia has recast the role of President, after the departure of Heidi Diamond three months ago.  Sheraton Kalouria will step in as MSLO Prez, reporting to CEO Susan Lyne.  He will oversee MSLO’s public television series, Everyday Food; the nationally syndicated Petkeeping with Marc Morrone; and original programs produced for the Style Network and the Discovery Networks, as well as all program development efforts and distribution of the MSLO TV library.  * RATINGS *Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among Total Viewers for the week of 11/7-13/05:
Primetime      (000)    Total Pgm Day   (000)
ESPN             3254     NICK              2404
USA              2784     NAN*              1471
TBS              2184     USA               1239
TNT              2159     CARTOON 1170
FOXNEWS 1766     ESPN             1165
NAN              1726     TBS               1136
LIFETIME         1670    TNT               1124
CARTOON 1550     ADULT SWIM*     1097
SPIKE TV         1271    LIFETIME         972
FX               1182     FOXNEWS 948
 Source: Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 109,600,000 homes
* = Network broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24 hour day. Primetime listing only includes those networks broadcasting more than 51% of the primetime hours (M-Su 8p-11p)

Top Ten Basic Cable Ad Supported Network Rankings among A18-49 for the week of 11/7-13/05:
Primetime     (000)     Total Pgm Day   (000)
ESPN             1650     ESPN              651
USA              1431     USA               639
TBS              1207     TBS               629
TNT              1014     NAN*              602
FX               710      TNT               563
LIFETIME         652     ADULT SWIM*     561
SPIKE TV         629     NICK              553
MTV              561      LIFETIME         435
NAN              539      FX                400
DISCOVERY        501     SPIKE             319
Source: Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 109,600,000 homes
* = Network broadcasts less than 51% of minutes in a 24 hour day. Primetime listing only includes those networks broadcasting more than 51% of the primetime hours (M-Su 8p-11p)

Top 10 Cable Programs among A18-49 (000) for the week of week of 11/7-13/05
ESPN     Browns/Steelers          5486
ESPN    NFL Prime Time           2680
USA     WWE Mon 9p               2453
FX      Nip Tuck                 2424
USA     WWE Mon 10p              2394
ESPN    Coll. Fball Saturday    2123
TBS     Grinch Stole Xmas       2087
MTV     Laguna Beach             2014
USA     How to Lose Guy 10 Dys  1934
ESPN    Sportscenter              1897
Source: Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research Data.
All ratings based on Total U.S. Television Universe of 109,600,000 homes

Top 10 Broadcast Programs among A18-49 (000) for the week of 11/7-13/2005:
ABC:     Desperate Housewives             14,350
CBS:    CSI                                 13,270
ABC:    Grey’s Anatomy                    11,510
ABC:    NFL Monday Night Football        11,400
ABC:    Lost                                10,810
CBS:     Survivor                                            8970
ABC:    EM: Home Edition                 8810
NBC:    ER                                  8680
CBS:    CSI: NY                            8410
CBS:    CSI: Miami                        8350
Source:  Nielsen Media Research, Galaxy Explorer

Nov Sweep: Day #12 – Monday — A18-49 Analysis:  ABC with the significant strength of the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, won the night on Monday in final ratings from Nielsen Media Research, posting an overall 5.7/15 among A18-49.  CBS was #2 with a 4.9/12, followed by NBC 3.6/9, Fox 3.2/8, WB 1.7/4, UPN 1.4/4. At 8p CBS won the hour by the slim margin of a single share point over ABC, with its comedy combo of King of Queens (3.5/9) and How I met Your Mother (3.7/9). ABC had the rest of the night wrapped up with Monday Night Football scoring a 7.1/18.  Aside from sports, CBS was the consistent #2 from 9-11p, earning an 11 share at 9-10p, and then CSI Miami pulling in a 6.4/16 at 10p.

FINAL HOUSEHOLD RATINGS: Monday, November 14, 2005, for all Networks – program averages. Source: Nielsen Media Research. 


ABC     10.2/16  Wife Swap 5.5/9,  ABC MNF: Dallas Cowboys v. Philadelphia Eagles 12.4/20 (game ended at 11:51p)


CBS     9.7/15   King of Queens 7.3/11, How I Met Your Mother 6.8/10, 2-1/2 Men 10.1/15, Out of Practice 8.4/12, CSI: Miami   12.9/20


NBC     7.2/11   Surface 5.9/9, Las Vegas 7.4/11, Medium  8.4/13


FOX     4.8/7    Prison Break [r] 3.6/5, Prison Break 6.0/9


WB      2.9/4    7th Heaven 3.9/6, Related 1.9/3


A18-49            ABC 5.7/15, CBS 4.9/12, NBC 3.6/9, Fox 3.2/8, WB 1.7/4, UPN 1.4/4


 


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM NBC UNIVERSAL TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION


Minneapolis is Mad for Martha
KARE/N – 10:00am-12:00n

  • Highest rating in time period in 17 years
  • #1 in time period with W18-34, W18-49 and W25-54
  • Triples its lead-in with W18-34, W18-49, W25-54

 Source: NSI/SNAP 3, October ’05 vs. Oct. ’89-Oct ’04 (HH Rating); increase based on demo ratings; 1/4 hour lead-in.



The History Channel
presents This Day in History:
1776 – Hessian Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen and a force of 3,000 mercenaries capture Fort Washington in upper Manhattan.  After a brief siege, three thousand Continental forces, led by Colonel Robert Magaw, surrendered.  The outlines of the fort, which incorporate the highest natural point in Manhattan, are visible today in the Washington Heights neighborhood’s lovely Bennett Park.

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: In 1986 this TV sitcom was actually titled after the lead actress’ real first name.  In a salary dispute, she quit. Her character was killed off and replaced by another actress.  The show was then renamed to what?  VALERIE (Harper) later was renamed THE HOGAN FAMILY     Kudos to: Gary Lico-Cableready/Norwalk; Peter Bakalian-Rankin/Bass Productions/NY; Alan Asarch-Pearson Education/Parsipany NJ; Christina Ricucci Owen-Millenia 3 Communications Inc/Atlanta; Gretchen Brad-KDAF/Dallas; Wil Allmendinger-Tribune/Chicago; Tom Nankival-WKOW-TV/ABC/Madison WI; Earl Siadak-Charter Advertising/St Louis; Joan Lee-KWBA-Tucson AZ; Jeff Meier/LA; Michael Madnick-FremantleMedia/Santa Monica; Jimmy Cuomo-Freelance Production Designer/Hollywood CA; Barbara Ann Moran-Nielsen Entertainment/LA; John Rutherford-Portfolio Ent/Toronto Ontario Canada; Lynn Valiquette-Ellis Releasing/Toronto Ontario


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM COURT TV


This is your last lap!
Answer this question and you could finish on the winner’s podium at the 2006 Grand Prix in Montreal courtesy of Court TV®!
Q: The Court TV quarterly special Unexpected HeroesSM about ordinary people in extraordinary situations captures what type of inspiring and astonishing story?
Advertisers, make a pit stop at Courttvmediakit.com/unexpectedheroes
for a hint and enter to win!



Today’s Trivia Question:
Back Up is the name of a dog on what TV show currently airing?    (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.)


A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM WE: WOMEN’S ENTERTAINMENT


Some Girls Get a nose job for their Birthday.

                  Amateurs.

Daddy’s Spoiled Little Girl – Premieres December 11th at 10p ET
Another True Original from WE.
For more information go to www.sales.we.tv


Later — Cyn
11.16.05 – 5:19a
Cynopsis Ad Sales – Barbara Shapiro – 203-583-1224 /

Classified Ad Sales – Trish Pihonak – 203.381-9096 /

If you’d rather listen than read, you can sign up for the Cynopsis: In Your Ear podcast available for download each morning by 630a at www.cynopsis.com or via iTunes 4.9 listed in the podcast directory under “News”  as well as under Yahoo Podcast http://podcasts.yahoo.com/.

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: DIR ON-AIR PROMOTION/FINE LIVING – Lead our distinctive brand. 5yrs + creative mngmnt exp req’d, nat’l cable pref’d. Res & reel to: Scripps Networks, 9721 Sherrill Blvd, Knoxville TN 37932; reference job # 4480-U (11/23)

JOB OPENING: EXEC ASST TO VP/DIC Ent Consumer Prods/LA: 3+ yrs exp. Maintain schedule, arrange travel, expense rpts, etc. MS Office. Organized, attn to detail, ability to shift priorities, reliable.
(11/23)

JOB OPENING: MGR, DOMESTIC SALES/DIC Ent Consumer Prods/LA: 2+ yrs licensing/sales exp. Establish & cultivate sales/licenses. Monitor performance. Comm & negotiation skills. Willing to travel.
(11/23)

JOB OPENING: COMM. ADMIN/TRAFFIC MGR/FOX Cable Networks/LA, CA. 3-5 yrs Traffic Mgmt Exp. must have adv. supported Cable Network exp. Encoda Traffic Sys. pref’d. Resumes: www.foxcareers.com . (11/23)

JOB OPENING: SALES CORD/CBS Network NY: Contact advertisers & agencies for comm’l in Sports program. BA/BS pref. Traffic exp req. Detailed w/exc comm skills. Late Fridays. Resume/salary
(subject Sales Cord). (11/23)

JOB OPENING: SR.DIGITAL RESEARCH ANALYST/CNN/NY: 3-5 yrs Ad Sales Research exp and 1-2 years Digital Rsh exp; strong media math, analytical/problem solving skills, info www.turnerjobs.com #50986BR;Res:
(11/23)

JOB OPENING: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER National Geographic Channel/DC: Provide editorial oversight of network programming from concept development through post production. Min 2+ yrs exp.  Apply at www.nationalgeographic.com (11/23)

JOB OPENING: DIR MEDIA PLANNING/AMC Programming/NY: Oversee daily log prod. Dev and apply promo & packaging strategies. Interact w/ sales, on-air, mktg, sched.5+ yrs min planning/traffic exp. resumes
(11/22)

JOB OPENING: ACCT EXEC/GALAVISION/NYC: Highly-motivated w/ exc. selling/media/presentation skills & extensive agency/client relations. Span-speaking pref’d, Fax res & cvr letter to (212)953-0191 or:
Subj: AE (11/29)

JOB OPENING: RES. ANALYST/RAINBOW MEDIA/NY: 2+yrs media res. exp, cable ntwrk pref d. Enthus. for res. & understanding creative use position’g #’s. Exc. PC skills. Analyze data & create sales pres.
(11/22)

JOB OPENING: DESIGNER, OFF-AIR CREATIVE Comedy Central/NYC. 3+yrs print design exp.  Entert ind a plus. Strng design/typography exp.  Strng Photoshop/Illust & InDesign. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (11/22)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC MGR/MEDIA DATA & ANALYSIS/The Ad Council/NY: 1-2 yrs exp w/ database mgmt, attention to detail req’d.  Strong organ. & Excel skills.  Apply:
  – job title subject line & indicate salary reqs (11/19)

JOB OPENING: LIME, INTEGRATED AD SALES COORD/NY: New media comp w/ green, health & wellness prgrmng on cable, satellite radio, internet, VOD & DVD. 3 years media sales support experience req’d. Resumes:
(11/19)

JOB OPENING: LIME,  ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/NY: New media comp w/ green, health & wellness prgrmng on cable, satellite radio, internet, VOD & DVD. 5-7 years media sales exp cable/internet req’d. Resumes:
  (11/19)

JOB OPENING: PT FREELANCE FORMAT PRODUCER – AETN Intn’l: screen & prep programs for intn’l format, record time code notes on aud/vid elements, supv online sessions. 5yrs prod exp/3+yrs format exp. Res & sal req:
(11/19)

JOB OPENING: TV NETWORK/CABLE & SPOT BUYER: Openings in Boston. Two top national agencies with high profile accounts have openings. E-Mail in confidence Roche & Company Media Search @
  PH: 888-426-3900 (11/17)

JOB OPENING: ON AIR DIR/Sundance Channel/NY: Highly creative & strategic with strong directing/writing skills & knowledge of interstitial planning. Prev mgmt exp & min 5 yrs on-air prod exp. Resumes to
(11/17)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCT MGR/ACCT EXEC/OPEN TV/NY: Proven leader w/ extensive exp as Prod Mgr. Responsible for definition & Deployment and sales of TV advertising sales. BA or equiv exp. Res to:
(11/17)

JOB OPENING: SERVICING MGR/LA:  For growing Internat’l Distribution co.  BA, 1-2 yrs post prod or service related field. Knwldg of Excel & ACT. Bi-lingual a +.  $35K + benefits.  Email resume to:
(11/17)

JOB OPENING: SENIOR PRODUCER /PlayhouseDisney.com:, Kids Content a MUST, online strategy, creative production, learning-based games, MBA preferred, 5 years of Internet TV experience; BURBANK, CA apply to:
(11/22)

WINTER INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here.  They are posted for free, and students work for school credit only.  For more information on the specs for posting an Internship ad, email Trish at
.

Winter Internship Credits Only: PRODUCTION/RESEARCH INTERN, Lion TV/History Detectives – NYC: Assist in story research for PBS series; some admin work. College credit. Send resume to:
  (11/23)

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

SITUATION WANTED: WRITER/PRODUCER : Track-record in developing reality concepts and formats (BRAVO, ABC FAMILY, TRIO) Experience producing and writing for reality tv. Will travel anywhere. Contact:
(11/22)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCTION COORD/Researcher seeking work in Documentary and/or Ind Films. Over 2 yrs exp in cable, brdcast, & live TV.  Selfstarter, detail oriented, young, gregarious.  Willing to travel & relocate. georginafrieze @yahoo.com (11/19)

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: Wednesday, November 16, 2005


ABC              George Lopez, Freddie, Lost, Invasion
CBS              I Walk the Line: A Night for Johnny Cash (OTO), Criminal  Minds, CSI: NY
FOX              That 70’s Show, Stacked, Trading Spouses
NBC              E-Ring, The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, Law & Order 
i                      Diagnosis Murder, Doc
UPN              America’s Next Top Model, Veronica Mars
WB               One Tree Hill, Related [r]
TELE             El Cuerpo del Deseo,  Corazon Partido, Decisiones
UNIV             Contra Viento y Marea, La Esposa Virgen,  Don Francisco Presenta

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