MTV reality boss departs

MTV head of reality programming Lauren Dolgen is leaving the company after almost two decades.

Lauren Dolgen

Dolgen, who was also executive VP of series unscripted development, is credited with series including Teen Mom and 16 and Pregnant.

Last year she was put in charge of the US company’s combined east and west coast unscripted development teams, working alongside exec VP of scripted development Mina Lefevre.

Dolgen’s long career at the Viacom-owned network included stints on series including Jackass, The Real World and Ridiculousness.

Her departure comes three months after MTV hired Condé Nast Entertainment exec Michael Klein as exec VP of original content, taking up the responsibilities of former programming president Susanne Daniels.

It’s the latest in a string of senior management changes at the network, whose former president Stephen Friedman was replaced last October by Sean Atkins, who was subsequently promoted

Klein said in a memo to staff: “Lauren has been discussing the next chapter in her career with Sean for a few months now and I want to thank her for helping with the transition – and for her work in helping jumpstart the development pipeline. I look forward to digging in with the team and working to push this brand forward.”

Her exit comes amid ongoing controversy at parent Viacom, with CEO Philippe Dauman and the company’s board at odds with Shari Redstone, daughter of controlling shareholder Sumner Redstone, over the 93-year-old Redstone’s ability to manage his own affairs and a disputed sell-off of Paramount Pictures.