Mark Burnett Sued In Profits Row

THE APPRENTICE producer MARK BURNETT is facing legal action from his former business partner in a row over unpaid profits of more than $70 million (GBP35 million).

The two-times Emmy winner, who is also the brains behind reality TV show Survivor, is accused of cheating Conrad Riggs out of profits from the programmes they pitched together to network bosses.

Riggs, who worked for Walt Disney Co., filed the suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday (07Jul08).

According to the legal papers, the pair produced more than 12 TV projects together, but their business relationship went sour when Burnett reneged on a long-standing agreement, which stated Riggs would receive 10 per cent of the 38-year-old's profits.

Riggs claims his advice to Burnett regarding the format of Survivor may have played a big part in helping to sell the desert island show to various networks.

The lawsuit reads, "(Riggs) encouraged Burnett to pitch 'Survivor' as if he were telling a story around a campfire - in a way that would allow network executives to visualize the feel and attraction of the show."

Riggs claims the payments stopped in February 2007 and that he was evicted from Burnett's company offices earlier this year (08).