Mark Burnett’s Reality | WBUR and NPR's On Point with Tom Ashbrook

TODAY IS FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2009

Thursday, March 4, 2004 at 11:00 AM EST

Mark Burnett’s Reality

Mark Burnett is a driving force behind reality television’s success. He is the producer of “Survivor” and “The Apprentice.” In the upcoming, “The Contender,” with Sylvester Stallone, contestants train to be the next boxing superstar. Burnett has a formula that viewers love: contestants scheme and spat, fall for each other, and have public meltdowns.

Guests:

Mark Burnett, producer of the reality shows “Survivor” on CBS and “The Apprentice” on NBC, and the upcoming programs “The Contender,” a new NBC boxing-themed show that stars Sylvester Stallone, and “Casino” for Fox, about working in a casino. He is the author of “Dare to Succeed: How to Survive and Thrive in the Game of Life.”

Mike Darnell, executive vice president of alternative and late night programming, Fox Broadcasting Company. His most recent series include “American Idol,” “Joe Millionaire,” “The Simple Life” and “My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance.”;Nancy Franklin, television critic, New Yorker Magazine. Her most recent article is entitled, “American Idol, for the young hopefuls on ‘The Apprentice,’ Trump Towers.”

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