Picture the reality-TV hits of executive producer Mark Burnett, and images come up of untamed wildernesses ("Eco-Challenge"), lush tropical islands ("Survivor"), lavish corporate offices ("The Apprentice") or a star-studded boxing arena ("The Contender").

The reality of Mark Burnett Productions is a little different. It's housed in a nondescript office building tucked away on a side street just off busy Sepulveda Boulevard on the west side of Los Angeles. The company came here after outgrowing its original building in nearby Santa Monica.

"When I moved here," Burnett says, "I said, 'Don't we have too much space around here?' We've used it up."

A far cry from the palatial digs of "Apprentice" star and real estate mogul Donald Trump, Burnett's upstairs office is comfortable but small, crowded with souvenirs and gifts from pals, including a knife from "Rambo," which starred "Contender" co-host Sylvester Stallone.

Burnett's office is a microcosm of the whole building -- designed for work and comfort, not to impress. There aren't even ceilings in many areas, just ductwork and wiring painted black above a certain height.

In a common area, the furniture is well worn, trash has been tossed into a huge plant pot from the set of "The Apprentice," and the carpet is more than a little scuffed and stained.

Since Burnett has partnered with meticulous lifestyle maven Martha Stewart for a syndicated series and a new "Apprentice"-style show, one hopes that some redecorating is in order before her house arrest ends and she's able to visit.

Burnett guides a tour of the building, which has been cut up into small offices and about 70 editing bays, where almost all the postproduction on "Survivor," "The Apprentice" and "The Contender" is done.

Work is nearly over on these shows' current seasons. "Survivor: Palau" has its finale on CBS on Sunday, May 15, followed by "The Apprentice" on NBC on Thursday, May 19, and "The Contender," also on NBC, on Tuesday, May 24.

At least for "Survivor" and "The Apprentice," work is already under way on the next seasons, under a tight lid of secrecy.

Also ongoing is preproduction work for "INXS Rock Star," a music competition show planned for July on CBS, and a presentation for "Giving Hope," the working title for a wish-fulfillment series featuring Burnett's girlfriend, Roma Downey ("Touched by an Angel").

Although ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is whipping "The Contender" in Sunday ratings, Burnett understands its appeal.

"I recognize the emotional resonance of an `Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,'" he says. "It's very bubblegum-my, but you cry. That's why this idea with Roma is so good, because she reaches out and touches people."

Many of Burnett's employees have been with him since the days of the now-shelved "Eco-Challenge" adventure race, which began in 1995 in Utah. Discovery Channel began airing documentary-style versions of it with the 1996 race in British Columbia.

Anyone pulling out old "Eco" tapes -- in particular the show's later seasons on USA Network -- will see the same widely imitated look and style that have characterized Burnett's later work.

"'Eco-Challenge' was really the first competitive reality series," Burnett says. "It was sport, but I made the stories about the people. I realized that focusing on the losers was as compelling as the winners, especially if the story of the loser was good. That differentiated it from sport. It's heart and soul. That's what movies are made of."

The consistency and loyalty of his casually dressed, friendly staffers keep Burnett's vision alive, along with their leader's continuing involvement.

"From now till June, we're home, editing," Burnett says. "Starting June through December, we're gone, shooting. So that's the two halves of my year. I know these people like family. Literally, there are people here for 12 years, in the company. Most of the editors on 'Apprentice' and 'Survivor' came out of 'Eco-Challenge.'

"We pay well and offer a good environment. You never see me in the edit bay watching someone push buttons. That's so rude. This is a little collegiate environment. They're producing high quality."

While Burnett has produced huge hits and has had an undeniable effect on television, he hasn't always had the Midas touch. NBC's "The Restaurant" and FOX's "The Casino" hit creative -- and in the case of "Restaurant," personal and legal -- snags.

Multiple medical mishaps beset Burnett's first scripted effort, the WB Network sitcom "Commando Nanny" -- based on the first job held by Burnett, a former British paratrooper, after arriving in Los Angeles -- and eventually derailed the production. "Global Frequency," his drama pilot for The WB, was not picked up as a series.

And then there's "The Contender," which has been a clear ratings disappointment. At this writing, the show's future remained uncertain past its finale, which concludes its million-dollar boxing challenge with a live bout at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

"It's my favorite work of my career," Burnett says. "It gets better every week. I couldn't have done a better job. It's frustrating, with the ratings."

Asked if he wants to continue pursuing scripted shows, Burnett doesn't say yes or no, but comments, "I have only so much attention span. This" -- he indicates the editing bays down the hall -- "is my core business. This is what I really do."