Executive television producer Mark Burnett is being sued by his former business partner Conrad Riggs for $70 million. Burnett, a British television producer, is best known for kick-starting the reality television genre in the United States. He's been on the producer and creator train for shows such as Survivor, The Apprentice, Rock Star, The Contender, Martha Stewart Apprentice, Pirate Master, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, On the Lot (with Steven Speilberg), and more.So, why is he being sued for the big bucks? Read on past the jump.
It seems Burnett booted his business partner Riggs and stopped paying him in 2007. Riggs claims that he is owed the $70 million because he was promised 10% of the profits and was owed five million when he was "squeezed out" of the company this past April.
Riggs claims credit for helping Burnett pitch Survivor, his huge CBS success story and one of the longest running reality shows on network television. As a matter of fact, Riggs says he came up with the ultimate pitch for the show which started Burnett on the way to producer stardom. Burnett's wealth is estimated at a half a billion dollars and Riggs is suing for the 10% from those mighty big pockets.
Mark Burnett and his people aren't making any comments at this time. Somehow I don't find that surprising.
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-08-2008 @ 1:10PM
gwangi said...
"Sue Mark Burnett", best reality show idea ever!
Reply
7-08-2008 @ 2:11PM
David said...
heh, heh
7-09-2008 @ 7:27AM
Maverick Saturn said...
heh heh indeed
7-08-2008 @ 2:04PM
Derek said...
Let's hope he loses and goes broke. That might put other people off producing reality garbage.
Reply
7-08-2008 @ 5:16PM
JeansLady said...
I agree with Derek. Reality TV isn't real, for pete's sake!! Why oh why do people watch that junk? No one acts normally or real when there's a TV camera stuck in their face and they're looking for their 15 minutes of fame. TV has sunk to new low depths of nothingness. Or garbage is a good description, too.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 8:12AM
Brad said...
Yeah, the concept of "reality" TV is just bizarre. Take a bunch of people screened to have clashing personalities, stick them together in a situation they'd never be in normally, give them some conflict they've never had to deal with before, and make damn sure they know they're on TV.......and call it "reality"? Yeah....sure.......
7-09-2008 @ 10:41AM
kevjohn said...
The guy made half a b-b-BILLION dollars making the crap he makes??? Please somebody tell me where do I sign up for "How to Make Your Own Crappy Reality Show" class!
Reply