PGA honors Mark Burnett

Reality guru to receive Norman Lear Award

By DAVE MCNARY

Burnett

The Producers Guild of America has tapped Mark Burnett to receive its Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television. It’s the first time the PGA has presented its trophy to a producer of reality programming.

“Mark Burnett is an extraordinarily gifted and prolific producer who has truly changed the television landscape with his award-winning reality programming,” said PGA awards co-chairs Laurence Mark and David Friendly in a statement. “Mark has made a tremendous impact on the television industry worldwide, and we look forward to honoring his remarkable achievements.”

Burnett has produced more than 1,100 hours of programming including “Survivor” for CBS, “The Apprentice” for NBC, the now-syndicated “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” for Fox, the daytime syndicated skein “Martha” and the Alphabet’s “Shark Tank.” Burnett’s cable series include “Bully Beatdown” and “StarMaker,” both for MTV, and “How’d You Get So Rich” for TV Land.

He’s also been an exec producer for the MTV Movie Awards and is onboard to produce the 36th annual People’s Choice Awards in January for CBS.

The kudo will be presented to Burnett at the 21st annual PGA Awards ceremony Jan. 24 at the Hollywood Palladium.

Last year’s award went to David Chase. Previous recipients include Dick Wolf, Jerry Bruckheimer, John Wells, Lorne Michaels, Bud Yorkin, Carsey-Werner-Mandabach Prods., David L. Wolper, Don Hewitt, Garry Marshall, Aaron Spelling, Steven Bochco and David E. Kelley.