Sarah Palin's Alaska
Encyclopedia
Sarah Palin's Alaska is an American
television show hosted by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
. According to Palin, the show's aim is to bring "the wonder and majesty of Alaska to all Americans". 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
, six months before the release of the series trailer. In reviewing the first episode, The New York Times
said the show allows viewers to "observe Ms. Palin observing nature". In 2011, it was announced that the show would not be renewed for a second season.
The show was produced by Mark Burnett
Productions for Discovery Communications
.
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. 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.
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".
Five million viewers tuned in for the premiere episode, a record for TLC. The second episode attracted 3 million viewers, a 40% drop in viewership. 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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television show hosted by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
. According to Palin, the show's aim is to bring "the wonder and majesty of Alaska to all Americans". The series, which began airing on TLC
TLC (TV channel)
TLC is an American cable TV specialty channel which initially focused on educational content. Since 1991 TLC has been owned by Discovery Communications, the same company that operates the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and The Science Channel, as well as other learning-themed networks...
in November 2010, was eight episodes long, and was part travelogue
Travel documentary
A travel documentary is a documentary film or television program that describes travel in general or tourist attractions in a non-commercial way....
, part documentary
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
series, according to a story in The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun is a daily newspaper first published in the Canadian province of British Columbia on February 12, 1912. The paper is currently published by the Pacific Newspaper Group, a division of Postmedia Network. It is published six days a week, Monday to Saturday...
, six months before the release of the series trailer. In reviewing the first episode, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
said the show allows viewers to "observe Ms. Palin observing nature". In 2011, it was announced that the show would not be renewed for a second season.
The show was produced by Mark Burnett
Mark Burnett
Mark Burnett is a British television producer and executive producer, based in the United States. He currently is the executive producer of five network television series with seven hours of network programming. Works with which Burnett is associated have won multiple awards and recognition...
Productions for Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications, Inc. is an American global media and entertainment company. The company started as a single channel in 1985, The Discovery Channel. Today, DCI has global operations offering 28 network entertainment brands on more than 100 channels in more than 180 countries in 39...
.
Reviews and reception
In reviewing the first episode, The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
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. The Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
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.
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".
Five million viewers tuned in for the premiere episode, a record for TLC. The second episode attracted 3 million viewers, a 40% drop in viewership. Before the airing of the last episode, Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
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.
Episodes
| Ep # | Total | Title | Original airdate | Viewers (in millions) |
|---|
External links
- "Gosselins Give ‘Palin's Alaska' Ratings Bump", Multichannel News, December 13, 2010