Restructure at VH1 as Hirschorn, Stolper Launch New Venture

NEW YORK, January 18: Michael Hirschorn is stepping down as
executive VP of original programming at VH1, where he led the development of
some of the network’s biggest hits, to set up a production company with fellow
VH1 staffer Stella Stolper.

Hirschorn and Stolper, the senior VP of celebrity talent
development at VH1, are forming Ish Entertainment. The venture will focus
primarily on non-scripted programming. Chris Choun, the VP of production
management/executive in charge of production at VH1 from 2001 to 2005, will be
head of production. The company, which will be based in Los Angeles and New
York, launches with a commitment to three series under a first-look deal with
MTV, VH1, CMT and Logo. The deal will provide Ish with development funding and
overhead with the aim of bringing Hirschorn’s successful development and production
talents to the entire MTV Networks Music and Logo Group.

During his six years at VH1, Hirschorn oversaw hits like I
Love the 80s, Best Week Ever, Hogan Knows Best and Flavor of Love. Stolper, meanwhile, has been responsible for
bringing top talent to the network, including Drew Barrymore, the Wayans
Brothers, Mo’Nique, Larry The Cable Guy and many more.

Prior to VH1, Hirschorn was editor-in-chief of Inside.com;
editor in chief of Spin magazine; and an
editor at New York and Esquire
magazines. He currently is a contributing
editor to The Atlantic Monthly,
where he writes a monthly column on technology and culture. Stolper started her
career as a talent agent trainee at ICM and joined MTV Networks in 2001.

With their departures, MTV Networks Music Group’s president
of entertainment, Brian Graden, and VH1’s executive VP and general manager, Tom
Calderone, have announced several promotions.

Jeff Olde has been upped to executive VP of original
programming and production at VH1. He will oversee all current VH1 original
programming and development for both of the East and West coasts as well as
music series development and celebrity talent development. He was previously
senior VP of production and programming where he oversaw the development and
production of such hit series as Breaking Bonaduce, Scott Baio Is 45…And Single and Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew.

“Jeff’s repeated ability to hit the television bull’s-eye is
easily explained and incredibly rare,” Graden said. “He’s a master at unlocking
the unique conceptual core of each project. He understands that people like
Scott Baio, Irv Gotti and ‘New York’ all have very different stories to tell
and yet his emotionally organic, revealing storytelling is essential to all of
them. He has earned an outstanding reputation as a thoughtful and direct
champion of talent as well as the producer’s point-of-view. VH1 is in great
hands and we look forward to the ride with Jeff.”

In addition, Ben Zurier has been elevated to executive VP of
program strategy at VH1, VH1 Classic and MHD: Music High-Definition Channel,
MTV Networks’ music-centric high-definition channel. “He has authored
breakthrough deals on a vast array of programming, creating a successful model
for off-net reality series like America’s Next Top Model and unearthing acclaimed documentaries like Seven
Ages of Rock, and movies ranging from Woodstock to 8 Mile.

“If you love VH1’s Celebreality Sundays and Mondays, then
you know Ben can sense America’s mood, find the through lines and ultimately
connect with the audience,” said Graden. “Ben deserves immense credit for VH1’s
explosive ratings growth having overseen a widely acknowledged and highly
unusual five-year hot streak, and we’re thrilled to acknowledge his invaluable
leadership.”

VH1’s programming development team also includes Jim
Ackerman, Alex Demyanenko, Jill Holmes, Maggie Malina and Shelly Tatro.
Upcoming shows in 2008 created by Olde and the team include: Celebrity Rehab
With Dr. Drew, the improv comedy series Free
Radio, Celebrity Fit Club 6, My Fair Brady…Maybe Baby and I Know My Kid’s A Star.

VH1 has given the greenlight to three new projects. The
network has partnered with P.Diddy on a reality competition series that will
search the country for someone who has the smarts and stamina to be the hip hop
mogul’s assistant. The series is slated to premiere this summer.

VH1 has once again teamed up with ego trip for a brand new series that follows on the heels of
the successful ego trip’s The (White) Rapper Show series. ego trip’s Miss Rap Supreme sees ten female contestants from across the country
living in a house in Los Angeles and competing against each other as they
display their rapping skills. The eight-part series launches in April.

And in Celebracadabra,
seven TV and film stars vie for the title of “Best Celebrity Magician” when
they gather at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, the world’s most famous club
for magicians, and attempt to learn and perform tricks normally left to the
professionals.

—By Mansha Daswani