Corrao To Exit Comedy Central At Year-End
Original Programmer Chief Will Pursue Own Production Projects
Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 10/13/2009 12:31:16 PM
Comedy Central veteran programming executive Lauren Corrao is leaving the network at the end of the year to produce her own original content.
Corrao, who's been with Comedy Central for seven years, most recently serving as president of original programming, will remain with the network through December. The network has not named a replacement and will begin a search for Corrao's successor, according to the network.
Lauren Carrao
During her tenure at Comedy Central, Corrao oversaw the development of many of the network's biggest hits, including the Emmy-nominated The Sarah Silverman Program, Chappelle's Show, Reno 911, Important Things With Demetri Martin and Mind of Mencia.
In an internal memo to Comedy Central employees, MTV Networks Entertainment Group Doug Herzog said of Corrao: "The fact of the matter is that we owe a lot more to Lauren -- her creative savvy, her eye for talent, her unrivalled work ethic and her unmatched spirit -- than she owes to us. We'll miss her dearly, but the phenomenal programming team she helped put in place will keep Comedy Central rolling as the funniest multiplatform entertainment destination around."
Prior to her stint at Comedy Central, Corrao served as vice president of comedy development for Fox, where she was responsible for such hit shows and That 70's Show, MAD TV and King Of The Hill.
"Comedy Central has been my passion and my family for the past seven years and I'm very proud of the legacy I'll leave behind ...but I feel that this is exactly the right time in this ever changing world of television to personally create, produce and own content," said Corrao in a statement. "I am very much looking forward to the new and exciting challenges in the next chapter of my career."
