He’s created one of the most long lasting reality TV shows on television, but Bertram Van Munster, creator of the Amazing Race series is not a satisfied man.
Producer Bertram Van Munster on working with the charismatic host and
his reality series Amazing Race
MUMBAI: He’s created one of the most long lasting reality TV shows on television, but Bertram Van Munster, creator of the Amazing Race series is not a satisfied man. After more than 12 successful seasons of the show, he is now working with the queen of daytime TV in the US—Oprah Winfrey.
“Working with Oprah was a great experience. We are working on her new reality show Oprah’s Big Give and she was one of the most normal people we could meet. There is a huge myth around her, but she was not at all unapproachable, very hands on, and very professional,” he said. The show, to premiere on March 2, will involve Oprah giving a large sum of money to each of the 10 contestants. They have to use this amount to better a needy person’s life. The contestant who utilises this money in the best way possible way would win a prize of one million dollars.
What words of advice does he have for Indian shows? “All I would say is that don’t manipulate reality shows, keep them normal and original. One should cast properly and make the situations interesting. This is especially relevant given that reality TV in India is so much in demand right now,” he answered.
He continued, “In our shows we have people who are physically challenged, people who are unfit, and those in abusive relationships. But we never manipulate or make it easy for them. Even with a big show as Oprah’s, we keep things normal. We don’t meddle,” he adds.
Bertram, who is currently scouting for contestants from Asia for the Amazing Race, says the show evolved during a conversation between him and his friends and grew into one of the most iconic shows in the US, where participants race each other around the world in a quest for a million dollars. “I’m still not satisfied. I want to achieve more. There are always new avenues to be explored, especially in reality TV, as we have to keep innovating to interest the audiences,” he summed up.
j_shilpa@dnaindia.net
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