By Albert Lawrence
Photo: Mark Burnett Productions

If you’ve turned on your television within the last decade, odds are that you’ve witnessed the prolific handiwork of Emmy Award winning producer Mark Burnett. With a string of Executive Producer credits that include Survivor and The Apprentice, it’s safe to say that he’s largely responsible for the reality TV revolution. I grabbed a moment with the visionary while he was on set enjoying his latest soon-tobe hit, MTV ’s StarMaker. During our conversation, Burnett revealed his formula for creating incredible drama, discussed why fellow Executive Producer Sean “Diddy” Combs is the ideal “Star Maker,” and hinted that he’s in no rush to become a godfather! Albert Lawrence: Some call you the “Godfather of Reality Television,” Mark. Did you know that? Mark Burnett: That makes me sound really old! Although I’m sure that my kids - they’re now 15, 12, and 11 - would agree with that. Let’s say the “Grandfather of Reality!” A: Okay, the “Grandfather of Reality,” but it’s because you’ve blessed us with so many hits - from Survivor to Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader. And one of the fascinating things about your incredible career trajectory is that each series that you’ve done has tapped into a different set of emotions within all of us. Where does your new series, StarMaker, fit within that crazy spectrum of shows? M: You know, I really do like talent shows. I’m a huge American Idol fan - who wouldn’t be? And I’ve always wondered what’s going on as they’re prepping for these performances. What’s going on as they’re all living in the house together? What are their emotional arcs? So Diddy and I came together to do a talent show that really lets you get to know these people and what goes on backstage. So while you’re seeing the performance onstage, we’re also shooting those who’ve already performed and are waiting to perform backstage. We’ll also shoot these performers coming offstage and passing the next performer backstage - getting that hug and that look in the eye of, “Wow, I’m done. You’re next!” I’ve always wanted to see that. So, with the blessing of MTV , this will be the first show where you really get a hybrid of an unscripted drama of emotion with a stage show. A: As a performer is walking off the stage and seeing whoever’s coming next in line, do you think that there’s a lot of fierce competition that’s surging through his mind at that particular moment, or is it more of a, “It’s okay brother, you’re on next. I pass my blessing on to you.”? M: I think it’s all of the above, after all it is a competition and they are all out to be the winner. They are all probably scared to death each week - almost like the deer in the headlights feeling. I think it is a competition. Only one gets that big prize and that big break, but they also have heart for each other. You know I’ve got another series called Contender - a boxing series – where you live in the house together and then you fight each other. Well, in this thing, they’re living in a house together and then performing against each other in a virtual kind of fight for supremacy! It’s what makes great drama - complex emotions, heart and soul, and how driven they are to beat each other, yet care for each other at the same time. A: You’ve talked about what makes a great show, but since the name of this show is StarMaker, can you give us an inkling of what you think makes a great star? M: To be a great star, there’s just an “it” quality. I mean, Diddy is a star. When Diddy comes into a room, he lights the room up. That’s why he’s a star. And because he’s done that so much, he’s the right person to be the “Star Maker”. He’s assembled an incredible group of mentors for these young people as they begin on their journey, and I have to tell you, I think we’ve got some real stars. This show isn’t just hip-hop; it is a mix of just about everything from country to R&B. It’s neat to see Diddy branching out into unfamiliar territory. This is a really fun show!