Mark Burnett says “maybe that taboo (of race) could disappear through” Survivor Cook Islands

Survivor executive producer Mark Burnett is responding to reaction about the 13th season’s casting. He told the New York Times, “I know it’s going to be controversial. I’m not an idiot.”

He’s a bit more diplomatic with Variety. “Maybe that taboo (of race) could disappear through this,” he said. Perhaps, and if that works, maybe Survivor 14 can cast people from the Middle East and solve all of those centuries-old problems in just 39 days. In just a few more seasons, there will be world peace.

Burnett also said that the show only has one actor, which we know is not true. Sure, there’s only one person who’s identified in their CBS bio as an actor, but that doesn’t mean the others who have extensive acting resumes are not actors, just like saying someone is from Malibu doesn’t change the fact that they live in LA.

Variety also talks to representatives of the NAACP and the Media Action Network for Asian Americans, both of whom are skeptical but say they are waiting to see the first episode before judging the twist.