Fox’s executive shuffle continues.
Just after Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier shocked the network by deciding to move to Roku, the broadcast network’s comedy division is getting new leadership.
Cheryl Dolins has been named senior vice president of comedy programming and development at Fox Entertainment, succeeding Julia Franz in the role. Franz’s contract is about to expire and has opted to pursue new opportunities after three years in the role. Sources suggest that her decision to leave predates Collier’s move to Roku, which Fox staff learned about an hour before news of his departure became public.
Franz will continue to serve as a consultant on the network’s upcoming single-camera comedy Animal Control — marking Fox The first full – featuring a half-hour series – and the second season Welcome to Flatch.
Dollings will report to Fox Entertainment President Michael Thorn, who previously worked at the now Disney-owned studio 20 worked with him on TV.
During his tenure at Fox, Franz’s credits included the Mayim Bialik Vehicle Call Me Kat and The Brief Half Hour The Moodys and spin. Fox, since selling its TV studio and other assets to Disney, has moved away from focusing on expensive scripted series, focusing instead on reality and competition programming and animation.
Dolins, for her part, was recently on 30 TV – served as SVP of Comedy and worked with Thorn on Murder in the Building, Miracle Years, Single Parents and the upcoming
and other series Santa Claus. Before that, she was at Alloy Entertainment and her credits included you, 100 and pretty little liars. She also works at NBC ( office, 30 rock, my name is Earl , Will & Grace) and Kelsey Grammer’s Grammnet banner.
“Having worked with Cheryl throughout our careers, both online and studio, I have been amazed at her ability to identify and channel an impressive array of quality comedies , these comedies have left their mark on television. I look forward to working with her again as we further build out Fox Entertainment’s comedy portfolio,” Thorne said. “Julia has been a central character to us during these important foundational years at FOX Entertainment. The key foundation she laid will serve us well for years to come; having her join Animal Control and Welcome to Flatch help ensure we continue our journey to success.”
A replacement for Collier, who will remain in the network through October, has yet to be determined before the transition to Roku.
