Cheryl Dolins has been named senior VP of comedy programming and development at FOX Entertainment, succeeding Julia Franz, who will remain at the company in a consulting role.
Dolins will be responsible for overseeing the development and production of FOX Entertainment’s comedy slate, which includes the upcoming single-camera comedy Animal Control, FOX Entertainment’s first wholly-owned live-action comedy; Welcome to Flatch, from executive producers Jenny Bicks and Paul Feig; and the multi-camera comedy Call Me Kat, starring and executive produced by Mayim Bialik.
Most recently, Dolins was at 20th Television, where she served as senior VP of comedy development. Prior to that, she was senior VP of television development and production at Warner Bros. Television-based Alloy Entertainment. She has also served in numerous roles at NBC, including as senior VP of comedy development for NBC Entertainment.
Dolins reports to Michael Thorn, the company’s president of entertainment. Dolins worked with Thorn at 20th Television prior to his joining FOX Entertainment in 2017.
Thorn said: “Having worked with Cheryl on both the network and studio side throughout our careers, I’ve always been amazed by her ability to identify and shepherd an impressive array of premium comedies that have left their mark on the television landscape. I’m looking forward to once again working with her as we further build FOX Entertainment’s comedy portfolio.”
Franz, who joined FOX Entertainment in 2019, moves into a consulting role, serving as both network and studio creative on Animal Control and Welcome to Flatch. Franz also developed Call Me Kat and FOX’s previous comedies Pivoting and The Moodys.
Thorn added, “Julia has been a central player for us during these important, foundational years of FOX Entertainment. The crucial groundwork she has laid will serve us well in the coming years, and having her onboard with Animal Control and Welcome to Flatch helps ensure our continued path to success.”
