Mark Burnett

CHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com brings you our red-carpet interviews with Jack Huston (“Judah Ben-Hur”), executive producer Roma Downey, executive producer Mark Burnett and Wilfredo “Pastor Choco” De Jesus from the Chicago premiere of “Ben-Hur” on Aug. 19, 2016 at Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON Theatre.

CHICAGO – In most cases, remaking a classic film is a fool’s errand that will end in disappointment for everyone involved. The greatest pitfall is the inevitable comparison between the two films. This form of cinematic suicide is becoming more prominent as cash grabs attempt to revive still relevant films. There are few stories that can and should be resurrected, but “Ben-Hur” is not among them.

CHICAGO – Is it odd to anyone else that there’s an entire subgenre of reality TV shows — we could call ‘em employment reality — about people trying to find work? There’s “The Apprentice,” “Shark Tank,” “Fashion Star,” and even “Project Runway” & “Top Chef” are essentially job interviews.

CHICAGO – Have all reality shows merely become hybrids of programs that came before? Doesn’t it feel like it? Put two to three former hits in a blender and try and create a new hit. This week’s latest mash-up (and we’ll have another much-more-obnoxious one in a few days) combines elements of “The Amazing Race” and “Survivor” into ABC’s “Expedition Impossible,” another mediocre summer offering.

CHICAGO – Mark Burnett is a man who knows no shame. The phenomenal success he’s found with shows such as “Survivor” and “The Apprentice” have cemented his reputation as the Jerry Bruckheimer of television.