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Sarah Palin's Alaska

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Sarah Palin's Alaska
GenreReality
StarringSarah Palin
Todd Palin
Willow Palin
Piper Palin
other Palin and Heath family members
Opening theme"Follow Me There" by Third Day
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes9
Production
Executive producersMark Burnett
Sarah Palin
Running time42 minutes
Original release
NetworkTLC
ReleaseNovember 14, 2010[1] –
January 9, 2011

Sarah Palin's Alaska is an American reality television show hosted by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.[2] According to Palin, the show's aim is to bring "the wonder and majesty of Alaska to all Americans".[2] The series, which began airing on TLC in November 2010, was eight episodes long, and was part travelogue, part documentary series, according to a story in The Vancouver Sun,[3] six months before the release of the series trailer.[4] In reviewing the first episode, The New York Times said the show allows viewers to "observe Ms. Palin observing nature".[5] The show was not renewed for a second season.[6]

The show was produced by Mark Burnett Productions for Discovery Communications.[2]

Reviews and reception

In reviewing the first episode, The New York Times said Sarah Palin's Alaska is a reality show living up to its title, and "a nature series for political voyeurs" that allows "viewers to get to observe Ms. Palin observing nature". The paper commended Palin for her political courage in appearing in the series and for not being afraid to be herself.[5] The Telegraph said the series received mixed reviews, with critics and commentators saying the show seemed intended as a vehicle to help Palin relaunch her political career.[7]

Five million viewers tuned in for the premiere episode, a record for TLC.[8] The second episode attracted 3 million viewers,[9] a 40% drop in viewership.[10] Before the airing of the last episode, Entertainment Weekly reported that the show had maintained an average viewership of 3.2 million per week, but that it would not be renewed for a second season. Entertainment Weekly said that if the Palin chose to do another season, it would have been interpreted as a sign that she would not be running for president in 2012.[11]

At the conclusion of the series, long time Alaska resident and author Nick Jans commented that the show made clear Palin's actual unfamiliarity with the outdoor Alaskan lifestyle, observing that most of the supposed adventures on which Palin and her family embarked were "guided trips aimed at mass market tourists ... requiring no skills beyond a pulse and the ability to open your wallet".[12]

Episodes

No. Title Original air date U.S. viewers
(million)
1"Mama Grizzly"November 14, 2010 (2010-11-14)4.95[13]
Sarah escapes her busy schedule to spend quality time with her youngest daughter, Piper. Together with husband, Todd, they go salmon fishing in bear country. Later, Sarah and Todd climb one of Denali's most challenging peaks.
2"Just for the Halibut"November 21, 2010 (2010-11-21)3.03[14]
Sarah and family take a road trip to Homer, Alaska. There they meet a halibut fishing family, who invite Sarah and oldest daughter, Bristol, deep sea fishing, allowing the two to bond.
3"Salmon Run"November 28, 2010 (2010-11-28)3.48[15]
Sarah and Todd embark on their Fourth of July tradition of fishing salmon in Bristol Bay, Willow's birthday, the world's biggest wild salmon run. Todd, a lifelong fisherman, is renowned for catching the most fish. Son, Track, works to earn the title of captain on his father's boat.
4"She's A Great Shot"December 5, 2010 (2010-12-05)2.78[16]
Sarah's freezer is almost empty and winter is approaching. She embarks on a caribou hunting trip with her father, Chuck and friend Steve Becker. They travel 500 miles from the nearest city, above the Arctic Circle, in search of a caribou for food.
5"Alaskan Hospitality"December 12, 2010 (2010-12-12)3.06[17]
In a crossover with the Kate Plus 8 episode "Alaska, Here We Come!", Sarah welcomes Kate Gosselin and her children to Alaska. To prepare for a camping trip with the kids, Sarah takes Kate to a bear safety class for rifle practice. Then Kate and the kids experience the wilderness braving the challenges of camping in Alaska.
6"Rafting"December 19, 2010 (2010-12-19)2.56[18]
Sarah Palin is packing up her RV and taking her family on an overnight trip that includes white water rafting and ATVing. Later, Sarah and Piper spend some mother/daughter time. They meet Iditarod champions Martin Buser and Mitch Seavey and go dog sledding on a nearby glacier.
7"Logging"December 26, 2010 (2010-12-26)N/A
Sarah along with her husband, Todd, and daughter, Willow, go to a remote logging camp on Alaska's Afognak Island to get a taste of the Alaskan logging industry. Sarah cuts down Sitka Spruce trees and operates dangerous logging equipment on the island.
8"Gold Mining and Oil"January 2, 2011 (2011-01-02)2.45[19]
Sarah, her brother, Chuck, and their kids go to Nome hunting for gold. The plan: to find enough to make Sarah's mom an anniversary gift. Chuck leads the way panning for gold then to Valdez; kayaking a glacier that was once part of the 1890s Gold Route.
9"Follow Me There"January 9, 2011 (2011-01-09)2.36[19]
The one-hour series finale is a clip episode showing of the series' most notable moments, and features never before seen moments.

References

  1. ^ Weprin, Alex (August 6, 2010), "'Sarah Palin's Alaska' Gets Premiere Date", TV Newser
  2. ^ a b c de Moraes, Lisa (March 25, 2010), "Discovery makes it official: 'Sarah Palin's Alaska' to TLC", The Washington Post
  3. ^ Strachan, Alex (March 27, 2010), "The fun facts of Sarah Palin's new reality show about Alaska", The Vancouver Sun, Canwest News Service
  4. ^ Montopoli, Brian (October 14, 2010), "'Sarah Palin's Alaska' Trailer Released", CBS News
  5. ^ a b Stanley, Alessandra (November 11, 2010). "How's That Outdoorsy Stuff Working for Ya?". The New York Times.
  6. ^ Rice, Lynette. "'Sarah Palin's Alaska': No second season". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  7. ^ Allen, Nick & Swaine, Jon (November 15, 2010), "Sarah Palin's reality TV show receives mixed reviews", The Daily Telegraph
  8. ^ Mirkinson, Jack (November 15, 2010). "'Sarah Palin's Alaska' Ratings Break TLC Records". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  9. ^ Hibberd, James (November 23, 2010). "Sarah Palin Alaska Ratings Plummet". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  10. ^ Labreque, Jeff (November 23, 2010). "'Sarah Palin's Alaska' takes a big ratings hit". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  11. ^ Rice, Lynette (January 7, 2010). "'Sarah Palin's Alaska': No second season (Dang?)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
  12. ^ Jans, Nick (January 5, 2011). "What Palin's show says about us". USA Today. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  13. ^ Seidman, Robert (November 16, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: The Walking Dead, Sarah Palin (again, still); Boardwalk Empire Drops; Real Housewives, Sonny With a Chance, Kendra & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  14. ^ Gorman, Bill (November 23, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: Sarah Palin's Alaska Falls; The Walking Dead(again, still); Boardwalk Empire; Real Housewives, Sonny With a Chance, Kendra & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  15. ^ Gorman, Bill (November 30, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: Boardwalk Empire Dips; Soul Train Awards, Real Housewives, Dexter, Top Gear & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  16. ^ Gorman, Bill (December 7, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead,' 'Boardwalk Empire' Finales Rise; 'Sarah Palin's Alaska,' 'Dexter,' 'The Hasselhoffs' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  17. ^ Seidman, Robert (December 14, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Sarah Palin's Alaska' Up With Kate; 'Dexter' Finale, 'Top Gear,' 'Kendra' Steady + 'Real Housewives' & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  18. ^ "Sunday's Cable Ratings: "Atlanta" Takes Top Spot". The Futon Critic. December 26, 2010. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  19. ^ a b Seidman, Robert (January 10, 2011). "Sunday Cable Ratings: Real Housewives, Hannah Montana, Shake It Up, Sarah Palin's Alaska, Californication and Much More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
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