Reality producer Q&A; 'Survivor' vs. 'Race'

THR's annual reality issue has a column about why "Survivor" deserves to break the "The Amazing Race" winning streak and finally take home the outstanding competition series Emmy.

Plus, a producer roundtable with reality luminaries Howard Owens ("American Gladiators"), Arthur Smith ("Hell's Kitchen"), Jane Lipsitz ("Project Runway"), Mark Cronin ("Rock of Love") and Nick Emerson ("Supernanny").

Highlights:

On the strike: "I used some striking writers to break episodes for us. It was awesome"

On keeping reality real:"My prediction is we're going to go through a public autopsy over the next couple of years about the way we make our shows"

On right and wrong reasons to get controversy: "A kid wins a bucket of gold or $20,000 at the end of the week, and for what? 'Kid Nation' got press for all the wrong reasons. 'Moment of Truth' got attention because it was a clever idea"

On the "American Idol" ratings drop: Smith: "I'll take that problem." Cronin: "I'll take the amount they're down"

On shows switching networks: "It's a gutsy move to pick up a canceled show. It's like, 'Here's a show that was canceled -- you want to pay a lot for it?'"

On contestants' emotional vulnerability: "You have to be able to look at yourself in the mirror"

On which host deserves the Emmy: "Ryan Seacrest is the best presenter in the world. He's the gold standard of presenters"

On the silliest idea they've ever pitched: "I really wanted to do 'Phat Dogs.' It's about weight loss for people and their dogs"

Comments

[BigSingh]

I think why "The Amazing Race" does so well in Emmy wins and nods is because the contestants are average, everyday people trying to make it around the globe from start to finish without being eliminated. They have to do challenges native to the country or region that they are in which adds another layer of enjoyment, and it gets the home audience involved more whether they have Sprint service or not. I like watching it - it is the ONLY reality series that's worth the Emmy nods and wins it received.