Mark Burnett
Show Creator/ Producer
About This Interview
In his Archive interview, Mark Burnett details his upbringing in England and his time in the British Army before discussing his move to Los Angeles, CA. He describes several of the jobs he held before venturing into television production and recounts his love of the outdoors and adventure sports -- passions that led to his involvement with the physically demanding Eco-Challenge race and its corresponding television show. Such experience proved invaluable for his next hit competition-based reality series -- and perhaps the show most closely identified with him -- Survivor. Burnett goes on to discuss the production of Survivor, as well as that of several of his other successes, including The Apprentice and Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? He also touches on a few of his more short-lived series, like The Contender and The Restaurant, and comments on what the term "reality television" means to him. Mark Burnett was interviewed in two parts: in Santa Monica, CA on September 1, 2010 and in Malibu, CA on September 29, 2010. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the combined two-and-a-half hour interview.
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Highlights
On the values of Survivor
Clip begins at: 07:48, Duration: 01m 34s
On the popularity of Survivor: it's a morality play
Clip begins at: 16:50, Duration: 03m 47s- Mark Burnett on the meaning of reality tv as a genre; "there are no rules"
Clip begins at: 04:41, Duration: 00m 43s 
On owing his success to his amazing crews
Clip begins at: 19:37, Duration: 00m 50s
On following your instincts
Clip begins at: 47:47, Duration: 01m 03s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his childhood and early influences
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On his time in the British Army
Clip begins at: 09:14 - On moving to America and his first years in the U.S.
Clip begins at: 15:17 - On creating the adventure race, Eco-Challenge, and the corresponding television show
Clip begins at: 31:07 - Part 2
- On Eco-Challenge and Survivor
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On creating Survivor
Clip begins at: 02:13 - On casting Survivor: "a butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker"
Clip begins at: 05:46 - On pitching Survivor and the rejections the show faced initially; on the business model for the show
Clip begins at: 10:27 - On finding the right island to shoot Survivor
Clip begins at: 17:21 - On being "in the moment": the directorial and lighting decisions behind Survivor's tribal council; on choosing the host for the show
Clip begins at: 20:45 - On the environmentally-consious crew of Survivor and how the success of the show is due to them
Clip begins at: 27:10 - Part 3
- On shooting Survivor; on preparing for shoots with a "dream team"; on the crew
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On early criticism of Survivor and his vindication in its success
Clip begins at: 03:38 - On letting the crew and challenge winners on Survivor watch snippets of unaired episodes while still on the island
Clip begins at: 05:46 - On prepping Survivor during 9/11
Clip begins at: 09:50 - On shooting the Survivor finale in a live setting; on how Survivor connects with audiences
Clip begins at: 15:21 - Part 4
- On the future of Survivor
Clip begins at: 0:10 - On The Apprentice
Clip begins at: 02:20 - On Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?
Clip begins at: 07:53 - On several of his short-lived television shows
Clip begins at: 11:41 - On what he's working on now
Clip begins at: 14:34 - On television today and his own brand
Clip begins at: 16:41 - On his management style
Clip begins at: 17:56
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Did you ever live in Clifton, New Jersey ????
I've watched Survivor since Episode One, Had many health issues. Survivor has carried me through times in the hospital. Times when I was down. I get to know the show, the people, and the fans. Love this show so much. Thank you for keeping my heart warm and safe.
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