The Star Online eCentral: Reality king By MUMTAJ BEGUM

From paratrooper to nanny, Mark Burnett has done it all.

One wouldn’t expect a former British military man who has actively served his country (in Northern Ireland and then in the Falklands War) to look the way Mark Burnett does. The ex-paratrooper and decorated war hero appeared both youthful and stylish during a recent visit to Singapore. Burnett, 47, looked dapper in a pinstripe suit, not unlike a successful businessman from the West visiting a thriving division in Asia.

Burnett may easily be mistaken for an American. After all, he has fully immersed himself in the Hollywood lifestyle, having lived in Los Angeles for over 20 years. He is top dog in TV-land, the brain behind huge reality series, including Survivor, Rock Star, The Apprentice and The Contender.

Getting up close and personal with him is a tad intimidating. Burnett does not mince his words and he is very daunting when he decides to give you his undivided attention. One just knows that he has high expectations of the people around him and he lets them know it, too. More… »

Survivor: Johnny Fairplay Is A Dad!
- Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer

Congratulations are in order for former Survivor contestant Johnny Fairplay and former America’s Next Top Model competitor, Michelle Deighton.  According to PageSix.com, the reality couple welcomed a baby daughter this morning and named her Piper Addison.  Piper was born at 9:34am this morning at Danville Regional Medical Center, weighing in at 6lb 7oz.  Both mom and daughter are reported to be doing very well.  More… »

From TMZ… These guys are everywhere!

Bonaduce Bloodies “Survivor” Star - TMZ.com

UPDATE: We’ve just talked to a friend of Jonny’s who tells us he’s sleeping now. We’re told that after the incident, he was taken to a hospital where and treated for his wounds. There was no on-call dentist on site, but they were able to find Dr. Dean Carlston — through 1-800-DENTIST! — who worked on Fairplay’s effed up mouth from 2:00 - 4:30 AM. We’re told Fairplay did file a police report and that he “has every intention of seeing this through.” Jonny’s friend also says that Fairplay absolutely did not attack Danny Bonaduce.

Danny Bonaduce is a felony suspect.

Fairplay was taken to a nearby hospital, where police were called. TMZ cameras were rolling as the bloody reality star was loaded into an ambulance. Some jerk can be heard taunting the injured Fairplay, yelling the phrase “Team Bonaduce” as he got into the ride.

Bonaduce is named as the suspect in a felony battery report.

On The Adam Carolla radio show today, Bonaduce said hes had a thing against Fairplay ever since he pulled the famous “grandmother stunt” on Survivor, lying that she had died in order to get sympathy on the show.

Bonaduce on the Adam Corrola show
Danny said he thought the show was over and he was leaving, and Fairplay was on the stage, asking the audience why he was booing him. Danny says, as he walked by, he said “They’re booing him because they hate him.”

Someone then asked Danny to go on stage and tell him that, which he says he did. Danny says he was off the first step of the stage when Fairplay suddenly ran at him, jumped on him and wrapped his legs around him.

Danny says he didn’t know if Fairplay was joking. He then says he grabbed the butt of Fairplays jeans and threw him over his head, not realizing how light he was. Danny says Fairplay face planted into one of the seats behind him.

We couldn’t make this stuff up. Where is Rob and Amber’s baby?

Survivor’s Jonny Fairplay and Former Top Model Michelle Deighton to Have a Child

Infamous Survivor contestant Jonny Fairplay or, Jon Dalton, if you prefer the technical truth, told TMZ earlier today that he and girlfriend Michelle Deighton former America’s Next Top Model contestant are pregnant with their first child. The two have been dating for roughly two years. According to Fairplay, Michelle is already 17 weeks into her pregnancy.

Fairplay is widely regarded as the most hated man in reality TV and, whether this is true or not, it’s by design. Fairplay, whose real name is Jon Dalton, got his start in the world of wrestling the fake kind. He actually worked under “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, but he mostly learned how to become a quality villain or, in wrestling terms, “heel”. Fariplays performance on Survivor and subsequent reality shows is more or less an act, him playing a character that will stir up drama. While in full-on Fairplay mode he can certainly be pretty despicable, but he’s more normal than he’d like audiences to believe.

Fairplay is as prolific a reality star as you’ll find. Since competing on Survivor: Pearl Islands, he’s appeared on Fear Factor, True Life, Celebrity Poker Showdown, and Judge Mathis weirdly. He also was a star on the E Networks Kill Reality, which documented numerous reality stars as they filmed a horror movie called The Scorned. Jonny was in his full heel glory during Kill Reality and was eventually kicked out of the house for defecating on a housemate’s bed. Not one of his best moments, but a noteworthy exit nonetheless.

However, we wish Jon and Michelle our best. Both have appeared on BuddyTV to do TVj sessions for Survivor and Americas Next Top Model. They’ve been great every time they’ve been on and, hopefully, well see more of the couple this upcoming fall season.

-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Image Courtesy of TMZ

“Survivor” Fairplay and “Model” Michelle: Baby Reality - TMZ.com

Wrestler/reality villain Jon Dalton — “Jonny Fairplay” to “Survivor” fans — tells TMZ exclusively that he and “Americas Next Top Model” contender Michelle Deighton are expecting a little bundle of reality joy — their first, and its already 17 weeks along

And were pretty sure hes not fibbing: “Michelle and I couldn’t be more happier [sic] and I wouldn’t LIE about that” says Jonny, who’s perhaps most famous for concocting what “Survivor” host Jeff Probst called “the greatest lie” in the shows history. He came third in the seventh season.

The sweethearts have been dating for two years. Wheres an island when you need one?

Some very interesting information in this articles about Survivor and other reality shows. Read the whole thing.

‘Survivor’ casts getting less real each year - ASK THE REALITY TV EXPERTS - MSNBC.com

“Survivor” has come a long way from the days of grizzled Rudy and tough-talking Sue. You’ll find more models and actors on reality shows these days. Monty Brinton / AP

Whether it’s “Survivor,” “American Idol,” “The Apprentice,” “Real World” or another show, send in your questions. Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, MSNBC.com’s Television Editor, and Andy Dehnart, creator of Reality Blurred, will try to answer them.

Q: Why have “Survivor” and other reality shows gone to “casting” them? I loved watching all the audition tapes. –Jennifer, Maryland

A: A year ago, after CBS announced that the cast of “Survivor Cook Islands” would be divided by race, host Jeff Probst revealed that most of the cast had not applied for the show. Instead, the show’s casting director and her staff found about 85 percent of the group. That seemed almost scandalous for a reality show.

However, producers did that because the show had primarily attracted applications from white people. “We really just took off all blinders and said we want to find 20 people to play this game and we’re really gonna have to source them out,” host Jeff Probst told The Slug blog.

Still, that wasn’t the first time cast members had been recruited; some of the most memorable players, like Jon “Johnny Fairplay” Dalton, who lied about his grandmother’s death during his season to gain favor, were people who did not apply for the show on their own. And the recruiting continued for last spring’s “Survivor Fiji,” which also featured a more diverse cast than “Survivor” has seen in the past.

Besides trying to diversify the cast, there’s another problem that makes recruiting a necessity. Lynne Spillman, who casts both “The Amazing Race” and “Survivor,” told RealScreen magazine in 2005 that “20,000 (applications) isn’t enough for us to choose from because at least a third who apply have already either applied to or been on every other show. With ‘Survivor’ you really want to stay on top, so why would you pick another show’s rejects, or someone who’s already had the reality TV experience?”

In other words, there simply aren’t enough people applying to continue to cast these shows, and thus they must go out and find people. It may mean the loss of those home video audition tapes, but in return, we get dynamic, interesting casts full of real people who weren’t desperate to become TV stars. —A.D.

You’re mostly asking two forms of questions these days: How can I audition for X show, and when does X show return?

For the audition questions: Even though this column was published in February, it contains some good solid info to where online applications live for various shows. Check it first if you have an audition question. We also answer a few questions below. More… »

It’s always tragic when someone loses their life.

AdelaideNow by FIONA CONNOLLY

A WOMAN who appeared on a Channel Ten reality show has died in an apparent suicide and posted a note a MySpace website blaming the series for her death.

American Cheryl Kosewicz, a 35-year-old deputy district attorney was found dead in her Nevada home from an apparent suicide last week after being the fourth eliminated contestant on the CBS series Pirate Master.

The show, hosted by Australian actor Cameron Daddo, was axed by CBS in the US last week and while it has proved a fizzer for Channel Ten, the network is still airing the treasure-finding reality show in the graveyard slot of Sunday afternoons.

Kosewiczs death occurred less than two months after her boyfriend, 26-year-old heavy machinery operator Ryan ONeil also took his own life.

According to her My Space posting, being part of the Pirate Master series caused problems in their relationship.

“Truthfully, I’ve lost the strong Cheryl and Im just floating around lost,” she wrote in a June 28 comment on the My Space account of fellow contestant Nessa Nemir.

“And this frik’n show doesn’t help because it was such a contention between Ryan and I and plus its not getting good reviews.”

Kosewicz was the fourth contestant to be eliminated in the show, filmed in Dominica earlier this year, which pits 16 contestants against each other in an attempt to find hidden treasure.

It is the second suicide involving a production by Mark Burnett, the creator of Survivor, following the 2005 death of American boxer Najai Nitro Turpin who fatally shot himself after an episode in which he starred in the boxing reality show The Contender aired.

Here’s more info in the Forum.

Pirate Master has been canceled, according to the CBS.com website. The 5 remaining unaired episodes will be show each week on the website and not on TV. It’s being replaced tonight by 48 Hours Mystery.

I wonder who will win? Oh, wait. I don’t care.

Very interesting article in the LA Times about Mark Burnett. Is his career starting to fade or is the genre starting to fade? What will TV look like in a couple years?

Mark Burnett is still reality TVs real deal - Newsday.com BY SCOTT COLLINS Los Angeles Times

Despite recent woes, reality TV super producer Mark Burnett is a Hollywood survivor who remains at the top of his game

Here’s a good example of Hollywood power. Just as we were getting ready to chat with reality TV super producer Mark Burnett about the ratings woes for recent efforts such as “Pirate Master” and “On the Lot,” the phone rang with an unexpected call. It was Ben Silverman, the newly tapped co-chairman of NBC Entertainment, who wanted to make sure we knew that he thought Burnett was a “phenomenal” producer.

In fact, Silverman added, he’d even made it a priority to revive Burnett’s “The Apprentice,” the once-phenomenal Donald Trump show that as recently as last month looked destined to bite the dust at NBC.

Don’t you wish your friends had your back like this? More… »

Variety.com - Emmy snubs Survivor, Showtime by JOSEF ADALIAN

Survivor
Survivor got the cold shoulder from Emmy voters this year.
“Survivor” has been voted off of Emmy island — and it’s not the only show that’s not feeling the love this year.

For the first time since the TV Academy launched a reality competition category in 2003, Mark Burnett’s CBS skein has not been nominated in the category. Voters appeared to have subbed in Bravo’s “Top Chef,” which is making its first appearance in the competion.

Despite being credited with launching the reality competition boom in 2000, “Survivor” has never won the Emmy for reality competition. Another CBS skein — “The Amazing Race” — has snagged the statuette each of the past four years. More… »

The Denver Post By Scott Collins Los Angeles Times

Heres a good example of Hollywood power.

Just as we were getting ready to chat with reality TV super- producer Mark Burnett about the ratings woes for recent efforts such as “Pirate Master” and “On the Lot,” the phone rang with an unexpected call. It was Ben Silverman, the newly tapped co-chairman of NBC Entertainment, who wanted to make sure we knew that he thinks Burnett is a “phenomenal” producer.

In fact, Silverman added, hes even made it a priority to revive Burnetts “The Apprentice,” the once-phenomenal Donald Trump show that as recently as last month looked destined to bite the dust at NBC.

That Burnett is still a major force cannot be denied. “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?,” his goofy Fox game show with Jeff Foxworthy, was one of the very few successful new series introduced last season and has already spawned multiple overseas incarnations.

Burnett’s minions are toiling away on production for the 15th edition of his signature “Survivor” franchise, which will bow this fall with claims to be the first American TV series shot entirely in China.

Still, the past few weeks have brought grim tidings, notwithstanding the fact that summer, when networks generally refrain from airing original episodes of their most popular scripted shows, is often Burnett’s time to shine. More… »

CBS.com

An Open Casting Call is an event your local station holds for SURVIVOR. When you attend an Open Call, you will fill out an application and be put on camera there. You do not need to bring your own tape, and you do not need a copy of your passport. Open Calls alleviate the headaches and expenses of making your own tape, transferring it to VHS format and mailing it.

These events are also lots of fun. Meet fellow SURVIVOR fans, make some new friends, enjoy. Your local station will send the tape directly to the casting department, where it will be watched by the casting team and the same as it would be if you sent in an individual tape yourself.

Good luck, and have fun

CBS2 Los Angeles
June 22, 2007 Friday
Time: 10a-4p
Living Spaces
14501 E. Artesia Blvd
La Mirada, CA 90638
For more information, go to the station website.

KCTV5
Kansas City
June 23rd, 10a- 2p
Metro North Mall
400 NW Barry Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64155
For more information, please contact Beth Stockton, beth.stockton@kctv.com or 913-677-7151.

CBS 5 Phoenix
June 28, 2007
5-9pm
At Fort McDowell Casino
Highway 87 and Fort McDowell Road, Scottsdale, AZ
For more information, visit KPHO.com or call 602-650-5405.

KXII
Sherman, TX
Saturday, June 30th, 10a-4p
Midway Mall
4800 Texoma Parkway
Center Court
Sherman, TX
For more information, please contact Sarah Loyd at 903-891-1249, or sarah.loyd@kxii.com.

WWTV-WWUP/TV
Traverse City, MI
Monday, July 9th, 10am-4pm
9&10 News WTCM Marketplace
At the National Cherry Festival
For more information, contact Tessia Klix at 231-775-3478, x3154.

KMEG
Sioux City, IA
July 10th, 4-6pm
Jensen Imports
1901 E. 6th Street
Sioux City, IA 51101

WCAT-TV
Charlottesville, VA
July 14th, 10am – 2pm
Rivals Sports Bar & Grill
1525 E. Rio Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
For more information, please contact Daniel Adams at daniel.adams@wcav.tv.

The viewers are not liking Pirate Master so far. Read the forum and let us know how you feel…

Second Episode - Reality TV Forums at Survivor.com
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Yeah, I liked Treasure Hunters from last summer better…. And you learned something of American History too
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Well I would hope that Mark Burnett would have more integrity than to script a show like this. But yeah, it does kinda stink. The premiss is ok. The pirates court thing is ok. Its definatly not survivor. When does China start??? Maybe Mark should do three seasons of survivor a year and can this show.

Ill keep watching to see how it plays out but so far its sortta, no its cheesy.
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Yep. There was really no reason to get rid of Christian that was shown. I am really thinking that this is truly scripted and that they drew marbles to see who would win the most money…

That could be why the application for this show was so strange. It was Survivors app with SOME of the wording changed…. It was truly thrown together…….
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The Second Episode is not better. Why did NO one vote for mutiny? That makes no sense. What are these people thinking? This smells like its totally scripted and poorly written at that.

What do you think?

I’m not sure if it’s going to be any good yet. Check out the forum to see what everyone else is saying about “Pirate Master”.

washingtonpost.com By Barry Garron

LOS ANGELES Hollywood Reporter - Mark Burnett is a producer who believes in planning ahead. Knowing that the “Survivor” season ends with the May sweep, he was prepared with a new series.

So smooth was the transition from “Survivor” to “Pirate Master” on Thursday night that, were it not for a change in the shows title and a few minor details, you could hardly tell “Survivor” had gone off the air.

Sixteen players? Check. Two teams? Check. Vacuously pleasant host? Check. Reward challenge? Check. Tribal council? Check, but lets call it Pirates Court. Vote one player off each week? Check and double check. Even the old production formulae are slavishly followed, right down to the careful and selective editing that infuses the ending with artificial suspense. More… »

Forbes.com Rachel Rosmarin

In an election season when many Americans already feel like voting a few presidential candidates off the island, MySpace and reality show guru Mark Burnett want to cater to that impulse: The News Corp.-owned social network and the man behind Survivor are creating Independent, a political reality show they hope will run on both the Web and broadcast TV.

The show will pit aspiring political candidates against each other in a contest for a $1 million prize, which must be donated to a political cause or used for the winner’s own attempt to run for office.

First, though, the creators of the program have to find a network willing to broadcast it. The no-brainer would be to air the show on fellow News Corp. (nyse: NWS - news - people ) property Fox, but Burnett and MySpace execs say they are shopping the show to different outlets.

“This not like a scripted show where we’d be busy writing our scripts now,” says Roy Bank, head of development and corporate operations for Mark Burnett Productions. “Instead, we have the huge MySpace base to pitch as a selling point to the networks.” More… »

I know it’s not Survivor related, but I wanted to let everyone know that we’ll be doing a Rockstar: Supernova site when that show starts in a month. I really liked it last year, except for who won. Marty rocks, dude! See you there.

MSN Music CBS’s Rock Star to Select Lead Singer for New Band

The new band, Supernova, formed by drummer Tommy Lee (M??tley Cr?�?e) with bassist Jason Newsted (Metallica) and guitarist Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses)

New lead singer to be chosen from 16 hopefuls when the second edition of CBS’s Rock Star returns summer 2006.

New album to be produced by Butch Walker (Rolling Stone Magazine’s 2005 “Hot Producer Of The Year”).

CBS and Mark Burnett Productions announced today that legendary musicians from some of the biggest American rock bands have joined forces to form a new band, Supernova, and will use CBS’s Rock Star as the competition to determine the new lead singer.

Supernova will feature drummer Tommy Lee (M??tley Cr?�?e), Jason Newsted (Metallica) and Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses). The second edition of CBS’s Rock Star will premiere on the network this summer.

After the winning singer is selected on CBS’s Rock Star, Supernova will record an original album, to be co-written and produced by Butch Walker (hit songwriter/producer for Avril Lavigne, Pink) that will be released in the fall before the band embarks on a world tour starting in early 2007.

“I’ve toured with both Gilby and Jason. They’re incredible musicians and I’ve always wanted to play with them,” said Tommy Lee. “Starting a new band with old friends on worldwide television is going to be a blast, and we’re going to pull out all the stops to find the most charismatic and musically talented lead singer to front Supernova. I love breaking the rules.” More… »

CNN.com

Richard Hatch was convicted in January of failing to pay taxes on his ‘Survivor’ winnings.

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (AP) — Richard Hatch, who won $1 million in the debut season of “Survivor,” was sentenced Tuesday to 51 months in prison for failing to pay income taxes on his reality TV prize and other earnings.

Hatch, 45, was convicted in January. The charges carried a maximum of 13 years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Ernest Torres said he issued a harsher than expected sentence because Hatch had committed perjury repeatedly during his trial.

“It seems unfortunately very clear to me that Mr. Hatch lied,” Torres said.

When Hatch was convicted, Torres said he expected to sentence him to 33 to 41 months.

“I believe I’ve been completely truthful and completely forthcoming throughout the entire process,” Hatch told the judge before he was sentenced.

Hatch claimed he thought the show’s producers would pay his taxes and pleaded ignorance about money matters, saying he forgot to tell his accountants about some income.

“Survivor” earned CBS a ratings hit. Hatch became known as “the fat naked guy” — a term coined by David Letterman — for refusing to wear clothes for much of the show.

Hatch sowed seeds of conflict among his competitors, and an estimated 51 million viewers were watching when he received his winning check.

At times, he seemed to handle his criminal case like an extended reality TV competition. He abruptly walked away from a plea deal with prosecutors and pleaded his innocence to Katie Couric on the “Today” show.

Hatch has been in a jail in Plymouth, Massachusetts, since his conviction.

CBS News
(AP) “Survivor” winner Richard Hatch is being held in protective custody apart from other inmates until his sentencing this month on tax evasion charges.

Hatch, who won $1 million in the debut season of the CBS reality TV series, was found guilty in January of failing to pay taxes on his winnings and other income. He was taken into custody immediately because U.S. District Court Judge Ernest Torres said he posed a flight risk.

Hatch, 45, asked to be put in protective custody shortly after he was detained, his attorney, Michael Minns, said Monday. Hatch is being held at a jail in Plymouth, Mass., until his sentencing April 25.

Charles Wyant, a supervisory deputy U.S. marshal, said the reality TV star was placed in protective custody because he is a celebrity. Any prisoner can make such a request.

“The situation he’s in is the best possible position for him to be in at this point in time, the safest and most secure,” Wyant said.

As a matter of policy, all prisoners spend their first three days at the jail in solitary confinement with one hour a day recreation, Wyant said. After that, they are usually moved into the general population, but Hatch is being held separately, he said.

Minns said Hatch’s conditions have improved since he first arrived in jail, except for what he called the abysmally bad food.

“I’d just hate for someone to think these are pleasant conditions,” he said.

The charges carry a maximum of 13 years in prison. Torres said he expected a sentence of between two years, nine months and three years, five months but it could be longer because prosecutors accuse Hatch of lying during his testimony.