Jeffrey Glaser Exiting 20th Century Fox TV, Carolyn Cassidy Named SVP Current Programming

Jeffrey Glaser, 20th Century Fox TV’s longtime current programming chief, is exiting the company and Carolyn Cassidy will take the reins as SVP, Current Programming, the company’s President of Creative Affairs Jonnie Davis announced today.

Glaser is leaving “to pursue new challenges”, but will remain on board as a consultant during the transition, Davis said.

“I’ve had a great experience working with such talented colleagues and extraordinary writers, producers and directors during my nearly two decades at 20th, and now is the right time to take on a new creative challenge,” said Glaser. “I am grateful to everyone at the studio, particularly Dana Walden and Gary Newman, for all the opportunities they have given me. To have worked on so many of television’s most iconic shows has been a real thrill, and I’ve learned and grown so much. I look forward to the next chapter.”

“Jeffrey has been an extraordinary contributor to the success of this company, and he will be deeply missed,” said Davis. “As he explores his next career options, he will always have an open door at this studio. And we’re pleased and grateful that he will serve as a consultant on many of our series.”

“The great news is that we have identified an incredibly strong successor in Carolyn Cassidy, who has been a tremendous asset to our comedy development efforts,” Davis added. “She’s as smart and strategic as she is passionate about our series, and we think under her strong leadership and oversight, our current shows—which are the studio’s lifeblood– will continue to thrive and grow.”

In her new role, Cassidy will report to Davis. Cassidy joined 20th Century Fox in August 2009 as VP, Comedy Series and was promoted to SVP four years later. She recently shepherded the development of ABC’s breakout hit Fresh Off the Boat as well as Fox’s anticipated The Grinder. She also developed the long-running hits New Girl and Last Man Standing and oversaw a roster of producers, writers and directors for the studio which included Jake Kasdan, Kourtney Kang, Scott Silveri, Kevin Hench and Nahnatchka Khan. She began her career as as a current exec at NBC where she worked on series such as Will & Grace, The Office, Las Vegas and Ed. She also previously served as a comedy development executive at ABC Studios.