Ben Wexler
'The Comedians' alum Ben Wexler has also signed an overall deal with producers 20th Century Fox Television.
There's a new boss in town on Fox's The Grinder.
Following a prolonged deal-making process, The Comedians boss Ben Wexler has been tapped to take over the upcoming freshman comedy, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The move is part of a larger overall deal with producers 20th Century Fox Television that will also see comedy veteran Wexler develop new projects for the studio.
Wexler, who has been working in the writers' room for a couple of weeks, will continue to collaborate with creators/exec producers Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul. Production on episode 106 of the Rob Lowe-Fred Savage starrer begins this week.
Wexler replaces Greg Malins, who boarded the single-camera comedy after the 20th Century Fox Television comedy was picked up to series. Starring Lowe as a beloved TV lawyer who moves back home to work alongside his brother (Savage) at his family's law firm, Malins exited the series in August following creative differences.
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For Wexler, the Grinder deal continues his relationship with Fox. The studio's cable-focused arm, Fox 21, produced FX's Billy Crystal-Josh Gad comedy The Comedians, which was canceled in June after one season.
The Grinder is one of multiple freshman series to undergo a showrunner change this season as broadcast networks face continued pressure to cut through amid a crowded and competitive landscape.
Wexler, whose credits also include Community, The Michael J. Fox Show and Arrested Development, is repped by WME and 3 Arts.
The Grinder
