Andrew Schusterman
Andrew Szusterman is a New Zealand media executive and Managing Director of South Pacific Pictures, producer of shows like The Traitors NZ and Shortland Street.
2
APPEARANCES
1
PODCASTS
Oct 18, 2026
Dylan ReeveHOST
And if you're cynically thinking that this sort of controversy is nothing but a ratings win for the network, he disagrees.
Natalia KillsSOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
I'm ashamed to be here.
Andrew SchustermanGUEST
This was at a time where people would crowd around the TV and watch whatever was on TV at the time.
Dylan ReeveHOST
And Alex isn't alone in thinking about that contrast between reality and drama when it comes to showing ourselves on screen.
Andrew SchustermanGUEST
When you talk about a drama reflecting the times, that is usually through the lens of the writers.
Andrew SchustermanGUEST
Whereas, you know, reality TV has as many cast members or as many people that you've got on the show are the individual writers for themselves.
Andrew SchustermanGUEST
So I think it's truly reflective, good and bad, on where we are at any point of given time, which is wonderful.
Andrew SchustermanGUEST
why I also think it's really hard to go back into reality TV archive and watch old episodes of things because they're certainly from a different era.
Dylan ReeveHOST
But for now, we'll stick with looking at how reality fits into a broader TV diet.
Andrew SchustermanGUEST
I think reality as a word has really been pushed around and shoved and hit and maligned in some respect.