Jonathan Gabay Upped to Vice President, Comedy Development & Programming
Tony Tompson Promoted to Vice President, Drama Development & Programming
Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) has promoted Samata Narra to Senior Vice President, Comedy Development & Programming, for the network, it was announced today by Suzanna Makkos, FOX’s Executive Vice President, Comedy Development & Programming. Reporting directly to Makkos, Narra will be responsible for helping drive development efforts for the network’s robust comedy slate and leading series coverage on FOX’s comedy hits.
On the comedy side, Jonathan Gabay has also been promoted to Vice President, Comedy Development & Programming. In addition, FOX Executive Vice President of Drama Development & Programming Terence Carter announced that Tony Tompson has been promoted to Vice President, Drama Development & Programming.
Previously, Narra was Vice President of Comedy Development at FOX and was responsible for developing and launching new live-action and animated half-hour comedy series, including THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, Golden Globe Award winner BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, Golden Globe Award-nominated hit NEW GIRL and the critically acclaimed “The Mindy Project.”She was also responsible for overseeing creative on Emmy Award winner BOB’S BURGERS. Prior to joining FOX, Narra spent over seven years as a literary manager at Fineman Entertainment, where she represented various writers and directors in both television and features. Narra started her career at the William Morris Agency directly under CEO Norman Brokaw and went on to work in its television department. She graduated from Boston University's School of Management, where she received her degree in business management and marketing.
Jonathan Gabay joined FOX in 2011 as Manager of Comedy Development and was subsequently promoted to Director of Comedy Development & Programming. In this role, he was involved in the development of such series as BOB’S BURGERS, “Enlisted” and BROOKLYN NINE-NINE for the network. Currently, Gabay oversees THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, NEW GIRL, FAMILY GUY and the critically acclaimed new comedy THE GRINDER, starring Rob Lowe and Fred Savage. He is also the programming lead on FOX’s upcoming midseason comedy, COOPER BARRETT’S GUIDE TO SURVIVING LIFE. Before joining FOX, Gabay was the Coordinator of Current Programming at the CW, where he worked on “Smallville,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Gossip Girl” and “Supernatural.” He is a graduate of the University of Southern California.
Tony Tompson began his career at WME Entertainment, then joined Fox in May 2008 as an assistant in Creative Affairs at 20th Century Fox Television. In February 2010, he moved to Fox Broadcasting Company as Coordinator, Current Programming, and rose up the ranks to Director of Current Programming. During that time, Tompson was responsible for overseeing the creative on key shows, including “House,” FAMILY GUY, THE SIMPSONS, “American Dad,”
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“Raising Hope” and “The Cleveland Show.” He transitioned to Director, Drama Development & Programming in March 2014, and in this role was responsible for managing the development process on more than 20 drama projects annually from pitch to pilot, as well as covering current dramas such as SLEEPY HOLLOW, BONES, MINORITY REPORT and the upcoming HOUDINI & DOYLE. Tompson is a graduate of Duke University.
About Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX), a unit of 21st Century Fox, is home to some of the highest-rated and most acclaimed series on television, including EMPIRE, GOTHAM, THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, SCREAM QUEENS, ROSEWOOD, AMERICAN IDOL, NEW GIRL, BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, GRANDFATHERED, THE GRINDER, BOB’S BURGERS, THE SIMPSONS, FAMILY GUY and SLEEPY HOLLOW. FOX airs 15 hours of primetime programming a week, as well as major sports and Sunday morning news. Through the FOX NOW app, FOX viewers can watch full episodes of their favorite FOX shows on a variety of digital platforms, while enjoying enhanced interactive and social capabilities around those shows. Download the FOX NOW app at www.fox.com/foxnow. “Like” FOX on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FOXTV and follow the network on Twitter @FOXTV. For additional information about FOX, please visit www.fox.com.
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[EDITOR’S NOTE: Photos of Ms. Narra, Mr. Gabay and Mr. Tompson are available on www.foxflash.com.]