This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
At last month's Emmys, host Jimmy Kimmel called out reality-show producer Mark Burnett.
"Many have asked, who is to blame for Donald Trump? And I'll tell you who," said Kimmel. "That guy. Mark Burnett, the man who brought us 'Celebrity Apprentice.' "
It was funny. It was true.
As reported in the PBS documentary "The Choice," in 2008 Trump was a failed businessman who had turned to marketing his name — "a human shingle and a punchline," said Timothy O'Brien, the author of "TrumpNation." " 'The Apprentice" turned all that on its head."
For TV ratings, Burnett portrayed Trump "as a credible businessperson with a real track record, even though that was at odds with reality," O'Brien said.
Burnett is now sitting on video that could double down on the lewd, "Access Hollywood" footage.
The producer of shows like "The Voice," "Survivor" and "Shark Tank" says he can't release Trump outtakes, but the statement is sort of odd. It said he "does not have the ability nor the right to release footage or other material from 'The Apprentice,' " pointing out that he sold his company to MGM Television.
But he neglected to mention that he's the president of MGM Television. (And MGM doesn't have "the ability" to release footage? Huh?)
The statement went on to say that "contractual and legal requirements also restrict MGM's ability to release such material," which is more believable.
But two things are clear. First, there is definitely more damning video out there. Trump admitted that himself, saying, "If they want to release more tapes saying inappropriate things," he will double down on his attacks against former President Bill Clinton.
And, second, those tapes will come out. Should Trump be elected president, and the tapes come out afterward, MGM and Burnett will be pilloried.
It's worth pointing out that Burnett and his wife, former "Touched by an Angel" star Roma Downey, have made much of their faith. They produce faith-promoting TV shows and movies like "The Bible," "The Dovekeepers," "Son of God," and the recent "Ben Hur" remake.
And you could certainly argue that Burnett has a moral responsibility to release the Trump footage. Withholding the clips does a disservice to the nation.
Burnett is not a bad guy. And he has stated categorically that he has "never supported" Trump's campaign, rejecting its "hatred, division and misogyny."
But he is to no small degree responsible for giving Trump the platform that has carried him this far. "Thanks to Mark Burnett, we don't have to watch reality shows because we're living in one," Kimmel joked at the Emmys.
And if Trump is elected president, Kimmel continued, "and he builds that wall, the first person we're throwing over is Mark Burnett."
It was funny in September. It's not so funny now.
Scott D. Pierce covers TV for The Salt Lake Tribune. Email him at spierce@sltrib.com; follow him on Twitter @ScottDPierce.