Real American Dreams

Both Survivor and The Apprentice blew the lid off of primetime TV, captivating millions.

Oprah: So did you know that [Survivor] was going to become the hit that it became? Did you have an inkling?

Mark: You know, I was very certain it would be great water cooler talk. It's really...great. It's Robinson Crusoe. Lord of the Flies. It's all of the adventure, escapism, but I didn't realize the viewers would be so large. I thought it would be a cult hit.

Mark Burnett is also currently working on a new project with home decorating guru Martha Stewart: "I'm doing a...morning syndicated daily show starting in September and also a not-yet announced prime time reality show with [her]," he says.