Carolyn Strauss,
HBO's openly gay top entertainment executive, has left
her post at the pay cable network.
Strauss is
departing her job as entertainment president, where she
oversaw development and production on series, shortform
series, specials, and late-night programs,
Variety reported Monday. Strauss will
still remain with the company -- which is owned by the
Time Warner media behemoth -- in an as-of-yet undetermined
capacity.
According to
Variety, HBO previously asked Strauss to bring
in a top development lieutenant, which she did not do.
It's not clear whether this factored into Strauss's leaving
her post, which the network is now looking to fill.
Strauss was an
instrumental part of the network, spearheading iconic --
and gay-friendly -- shows like Sex and the City,
The Sopranos, Curb Your Enthusiasm,
Entourage, and Six Feet Under.
Pressure has been on the network to find another
"watercooler" show, which hasn't materialized.
"No one has made
a more significant contribution to the success of HBO
than Carolyn," said HBO copresident Richard Plepler in a
statement. "We are truly delighted that she will continue to
be a part of the HBO family. We cannot imagine HBO
without her, and we are thrilled that we will continue
to have the benefit of her judgment and unique
talent."
HBO has weathered
much recently. Network president Chris Albrecht
was fired after he was allegedly involved in a physical
altercation with a woman in Las Vegas. The incident
came 16 years after Albrecht had been accused of
physically assaulting a coworker with whom he was having
an affair. (The Advocate)