TLC acquires reality show “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” for $1 million plus per episode

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TLC has bought the rights to a new reality show starring the former Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin. Palin, who compared resigning as governor six months before her term ended to being apathetic like a dead fish and just “going with the flow,” will show some of Alaska’s scenery and wildlife on a planned show called “Sarah Palin’s Alaska.” The show is intended to run around eight episodes and has not started filming yet.

Palin’s stock is still hot after her unsuccessful run for Vice President in 2008. The Discovery Network, which owns TLC, is thought to be paying a whopping $1 million plus for each episode of the series. Normal rates for this type of documentary program run from around $200,000 – $400,000. Networks executives promise that the show will stick to its intended format and will not be political at all. Palin doesn’t believe that humans cause climate change and is an avid hunter, and that’s political enough. The show will surely be a publicity forum for an outspoken opponent of the Obama administration with political ambitions.

Discovery Communications‘ TLC cable channel has acquired “Sarah Palin’s Alaska,” a documentary series about the former Alaska governor and her state…

The eight-episode travelogue will “reveal Alaska’s powerful beauty as it has never been filmed, and as told by one of the state’s proudest daughters,” Peter Liguori, Discovery’s chief operating officer, said in a statement.

The channel has not yet specified a premiere date for “Sarah Palin’s Alaska,” in part because it has yet to start filming. The title could change.

“Sarah Palin’s Alaska” was shopped around Hollywood this month by Ms. Palin and Mark Burnett, the producer of “Survivor” and other reality shows, who will be the executive producer. The broadcast networks all passed on the series; a person at one of the networks said the nature-oriented series seemed to be a better fit for a company like Discovery, which owns a portfolio of natural history channels.

Discovery decided to direct “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” to TLC, best known for its reality shows about big, small, and unconventional families. TLC gained attention last year for “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ as the marriage of the show’s two stars collapsed.

In a news release about the acquisition, Discovery does not characterize “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” as a reality show, preferring to call it a “documentary series about the remarkable Governor Palin and her home state of Alaska.” The company is acquiring both the United States and overseas rights to the series.

For Ms. Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate in 2008 who resigned as Alaska’s governor last year, the TV show is another indication that she is gravitating toward television. Two months ago she signed a paid contributor pact with the Fox News Channel.

Ms. Palin’s conservative politics captivate some viewers and alienate others, creating a risk for TLC. The prospect of seeing Ms. Palin tour Alaska’s wild habitats may rile some people who oppose her opinions about climate change. In recent months, she has condemned “the Obama administration’s environmental extremism” and asserted that “we can’t say with assurance that man’s activities cause weather changes.”

Asked whether Ms. Palin would share her views about climate change on the program, a Discovery Communications spokesman said “the deal was just concluded this week and now we begin the development and production.”

“TLC is about strong characters and compelling narratives, and there is absolutely no intention of making a political program whatsoever” the spokesman said.

[From The NY Times]

I honestly do not understand how Palin has any kind of career that involves the media. She is an attractive women but she is hard pressed to string a coherent sentence together. She really isn’t articulate at all. There are people who identify with her for some reason and find the conflicting half-truths she spouts compelling. The other day I saw a car with a “Palin in 2012” bumper sticker and just shook my head. Maybe this new series will distract this woman enough from whatever political move she’s planning next, but I’m thinking it’s just a step towards her ultimate goal.

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48 Responses to “TLC acquires reality show “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” for $1 million plus per episode”

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  1. Jag says:

    I’ve already written Discovery that they couldn’t have picked a worse person to attempt to showcase wildlife. Palin is known for trying to obliterate wolves, and for that, I will not watch her show. I don’t like her anyway, but it is abhorrent to me that they actually are going to pay her money to show off the beautiful state of Alaska when she cares so little for the ecosystems and wildlife there – other than to hunt and kill it. I’m not anti-hunting, but I’m absolutely anti-killing endangered species and wrecking ecosystems. I hope this falls through.

  2. Dorothy says:

    Agreed Jag! Lets start the letter writing!!!!!

  3. bite me says:

    well we did elect GWB twice

  4. lucy2 says:

    The Discovery Channel did an Alaska Week about 2 or 3 years ago, and it was beautifully filmed and very informational. They should have just done a part 2 of that instead. From everything I’ve seen of Palin, I don’t think I would enjoy or learn anything from her take on nature and Alaska.

    When Palin quit the job she was elected for, she cited all the legal expenses piling up on her family because of all of the ethics complaints, and a legal defense fund for donations was set up. I wonder how the people who donated feel now, that Palin is earning millions.

  5. Amelia says:

    TLC has devolved into a kind of “freaks” network. I will never watch another show on that channel again.

  6. Erin says:

    she’s a moron and so is discovery. there’s no way they’ll get the kind of viewership and thus advertising $$ to make more than an episode or two.

  7. snowball says:

    National Geographic is better anyway and they’re starting a new channel, NatGeo Wild, which will focus on animals and their habitats.

    Screw Discovery and TLC.

  8. Lala11_7 says:

    Well…I was going to say what’s on my mind…but @Amelia ALREADY said it for me!!!

    And to think that back in the day…TLC was one of my FAVORITE CHANNELS!!!

  9. Madchen says:

    Don’t forget, the Supremes voted him in the first time!

  10. Melanie says:

    I think this is great. Every time this bimbo opens her mouth she digs herself a deeper hole. I think she should be televised 24/7.

  11. Kate says:

    Amelia, you’re 100% right! I can’t believe anyone could think this is a good idea…..

  12. Sudini says:

    Well said Jag! I absolutely agree and I think it’s a travesty to have this woman USING the beautiful state of Alaska and it’s beautiful wildlife to fill her own pockets and sharpen her public image. She’s done NOTHING for the wildlife there other than encourage it’s destruction. She’s a complete disgrace in every way.

  13. guesty says:

    that is a travesty.

  14. Mista says:

    We continue to reward stupidity and ignorance in this country. I will never understand. Absolutely ridiculous.

  15. Cheyenne says:

    “Sarah Palin’s Alaska”? You mean the state she couldn’t be bothered governing after she was elected to do the job?

  16. mamasnail says:

    The more her tea-partyin’ face shows up in the media, the more damage she does to the Republican brand. That is good. God Bless America.

  17. Mentok the Mind Taker says:

    I was going to write an actual comment, but the only thing fitting to say (beyond that I’m boycotting Discovery Channel — which really hurts) is *Shudder*.

    She, Rush & O’Reilly (or should I just say “Fox”?) are everything that’s wrong with the news media today.

    I weep for the future.

  18. ViktoryGin says:

    Honestly, I say let her do the show. Though many conservatives like her as the right-wing answer to…say Michael Moore (and not a very good one), no one on Capitol Hill takes her seriously and she’s actually hurting her chances at the 2012 GOP ticket. Honestly, I prefer her on TV than in office. That way she can’t get anyway near public policy.

  19. Sudini says:

    @Mentok – ITA! It’s so scary to see the damage Fox continues to inflict. And scarier still to know that so many people choose to buy all their misinformation and lies.

  20. Belle Epoch says:

    SIGN THE PETITION at http://bit.ly/brB2GS

    Maybe it will help!

    Their goal is 50,000 signatures. We can surely do better than that!

    Spread the word to anyone who cares about wolves, polar bears, and NOT drilling for oil in the middle of pristine wilderness.

  21. nana says:

    I am happy for her and I am excited to watch more about Alaska. Ive never been there and its one of my dream places to visit. Discovery /TLC has their very reasons to acquire Palins documentary and they do not owe you any explanation. They already said their part. In Asia, Discovery is widely watched and they do not care if Americans hate the subject person or not. If you hate it, you have the very right to skip channels or turn off your tv – that simple, an announcement is unnecessary.

  22. cwwww says:

    bite me,
    we actually elected him once and the 2nd time they stole it.

  23. Sudini says:

    Thanks for the link Belle Epoch – I’ve signed the petition and will pass it along!

  24. Belle Epoch says:

    nana, you poor thing.

    If Sarah Palin has her way, Alaska will no longer be one of your dream places to visit. The only thing she cares about is… Sarah Palin.

  25. TaylorB says:

    I honestly can not fathom why anyone would want to watch her day to day life. I live in MN and we recently had a Gov. who had a much more interesting life and I will tell you that, bless his heart, even Jesse the Body Ventura isn’t interesting enough for a reality show. I lived in Alaska for about 3-4 months during school, and it was only slightly more boring than MN, unless they make up some serious drama that is going to be the dullest show ever created. There is a reason they never have ‘Real World Minnesota/Alaska/South Dakota’ shows, only insomniacs itchy for something to put them to sleep would watch our daily routine… wake up, shovel, scrape ice off the car, shovel some more, eat breakfast, shovel again, wonder why you live in a place that is -30 half of the year, shovel again. Alaska is very pretty, so is MN, but that can be covered in about one hour.

  26. Momotombo says:

    She bitches and moans about sexism when she’s criticized, but does anyone have any doubt that her staying power is based on anything other than her milf status? She doesn’t acknowledge that. Shes says the stupidest $hit anyone could say and millions flock to hear it. She knows its only because she’s an attractive women but won’t mention it because it suites her purpose.Do you honestly think that Joe Biden would have a reality show about the Virginia subway system if Obama had lost? Hell no.

    Sarah Palin is the antithesis to learning and she is getting a million $/episode for a show on “the learning channel”. America is fukced up. Only money matters, fukc your values.

  27. madness says:

    Here’s the Discovery network’s link to a viewer’s feedback form:

    http://extweb.discovery.com/viewerrelations

    Her show is already in the drop-down list of programs.

  28. lucy2 says:

    LOL, it is ironic that she of all people is going to be on The Learning Channel, but I think the network actually gave up that idea when they decided all people needed to learn about were families with a bazillion kids. No thanks.

    I do agree I’d prefer her to do stuff like this than try to get into a position of any sort of power again.

    “Joe Biden’s Amtrak”. I’d watch! (kidding)

  29. Lauren says:

    She can’t be that big of an idiot if she’s pulling in a million dollars an episode. Talk bad about her all you want, but she’s laughing all the way to the bank. I do think that this will hurt her chances of running for office though. Although she could probably run against Obama next term and win because lets face it, what he pulled with that health care bill screwed his chaces of being elected again. Come November when it’s time to re-elect officals, a lot of them are going to wish they hadn’t voted yes on this bill. She seems better suited as a tv person personality.

  30. Katyusha says:

    @ Belle Epoch

    Thanks for the link!
    I wish I could sign it all day long.

  31. Momotombo says:

    “what he pulled with that health care bill screwed his chances of being elected again.” I voted for him precisely because he said he was gonna pass this type of health care reform. Allot of people did. I’ll vote for him again.

    BTW making allot of money doesn’t mean you aren’t ignorant, or that you’re suitable for politics, or that you’re smart. In her case she was chosen to be a presidential running mate, America saw that she was attractive and chose to make her a celebrity. Nothing “smart” on her part, Just stupidity on ours.

  32. snapdragon says:

    i guess being governor of alaska wasn’t paying her enough.

  33. Sudini says:

    @Momotombo – Yes! I’m also glad he was able to get the health care reform passed and I’ll totally vote for him again.

  34. Anastasia says:

    I read a comment elsewhere a while back that TLC needed to change their name to “The Midgets and Breeders Channel” (not my words, theirs) and I guess now you’d need to add “And Idiots” to that.

  35. Bobby the K says:

    ~

    I certainly hope she invites Ted Nugent as a celebrity guest.

  36. daisyfly says:

    I said it on twitter and I’ll say it again here: If it really was HER Alaska, it’d quit after 18mo.

  37. Feebee says:

    TLC’s programming’s a bit of a joke.

    What are they going to do when she quits before the end of her contract?

  38. MSat says:

    I say, let the show go on. I mean, how much credibility will she have as a politician once she becomes a reality TV star? I can’t imagine anyone taking her seriously as a presidential candidate after this.

  39. Lady D says:

    @ Belle Epoch and Madness, thank-you.
    @ Jag, Amen.

  40. Judy says:

    Hate this BITCH.

  41. Kelly-Michelle says:

    If Sarah Palin ever becomes president, I will have to find another country to live in for a while. Seriously. 🙁

  42. marie says:

    LOVE SARAH PALIN AND I AM SO HAPPY FOR HER..GOOD THAT SHE IS MAKING MONEY, HATERS!!!MADNESS THANKS FOR THE LINK I JUST SENT A MESSAGE TELLING THEM THAT I CAN’T WAIT TO WATCH SARAH’S REALITY SHOW!!!!!!!!!

  43. CeeCee12 says:

    They keep rewarding her. She quit her job as Governor to cash in and made sure to strike while she was still name worthy.

    She’s the kind of person who is so full of themselves that they think no one else is hip to her game. Her hubris will do all the work and we just have to pull up a chair and watch the implosion.

  44. Judy says:

    @Marie. Sarah Palin is unqualified. Period. She attended five (5) different colleges to get a basic degree (if she even got one)–I’ve never heard of anyone having to go to five different colleges to get a B.A. or B.S. Additionally, a basic degree just does not cut it in politics. And she has proven she couldn’t even handle the job of governor–quitting in mid-term. She can talk forever but say nothing; she’s been repeatedly investigated for lack of ethics and misappropriation–oh yeah, she’s a real winner.

  45. Dani says:

    I can’t stand her, but if she wants to have a show and they GAVE it to her, go ahead and let her have a show. It doesn’t mean I have to watch it and I’m certainly not going to boycott all my favorite shows just because Palin is now on the network for a few weeks.

    I really don’t see why anyone is complaining, if you don’t agree, don’t watch it and turn the channel for an hour. And I don’t think she’s going to put Alaska in a bad light or change anyones mind about it. To me, having petitions is just a little on the dramatic side. Just pick up the remote, and change the channel like I will be doing.

    Problem=solved.

  46. mtngirl says:

    Ugh, sorry sarah, quit her job as Governor of Alaska, so we could hear her “educated” spin on Alaska? Are Discovery and TLC taking advice from McCain’s advisers? Bad move. Perhaps they are mesmerized by the caribou barbie’s way with a crowd. Double ugh!

  47. Bee says:

    Why shouldn’t Sarah Palin have a reality show? She meets all of the criteria.

    1.She’s barely literate.
    2.Has an annoying catch phrase.You betcha!
    3.Is for some reason attractive to men.
    4.Has no problem regularly making a fool of herself.
    5.Is a complete famewhore.
    6.Has someone write all of her lines for her.
    7.Is devoid of any identifiable talent.

    At this point the only thing she’s missing is a sex tape.

  48. ksgma says:

    I’m with Nana and Marie. Sarah Palin is an intelligent lady with common sense. I am eagerly awaiting this show! I saw the trailer and it is awesome! She does love Alaska and its wildlife.