Stuck without any internet for a full day, I turned to my stack of unwatched DVDs only to find this gem peering back at me. Created by TLC after the now ex-governor of Alaska Sarah Palin's failed vice-presidency run, and follows her and her family as they explore Alaska and show the great experiences it has to offer. Like most TLC the show is pretty garbage, but unlike most others I just have no clue what the draw is to make Palin a personality. None of the family other than her seem interested in the tv show whatsoever, and they don't do anything particularly interesting enough to make it worth the watch. Cancelled after only one season, I would not recommend this show.
4 Reviews
More a politician's family adventures, less a political ad
jon-174922 January 2014
Although I was raised in a conservative Christian family and my mother adores Sarah Palin, I was not a huge fan of hers. I share her values, but I am not persuaded that she has the legal and political skill and prowess; she would be another W. at best.
That said, this show is not about her political campaigns. It's about the human being that is Sarah Palin taking a number of exciting outdoor adventures in Alaska. Some of these adventures, such as fishing and hunting, are routine for Sarah. Some of them were clearly scheduled for the show as a new, fresh adventure that Sarah hadn't experienced much or at all before.
That Sarah is a politician is not completely lost in this show; she makes a number of comments about her career as a politician, and we see her taking on television and radio interviews from time to time as well as making the rounds with the locals making political friends. And as she narrates the show (this is her show, after all), it's a no-brainer expectation that she would regularly try to use rhetoric about her adventures in Alaska as analogous to her political career. But really this stuff takes a back seat--way back seat. You come away from this show seeing Ms Palin as Wonder Woman (one of her friends on the show calls her "Amazon Woman'), not so much "governor", "vice-president", or some other officer of the state or United States. (On the other hand, isn't that just the sort of material America needs in office? Less white collar, more blood, sweat, and tears... That's definitely the message Sarah and her followers want portrayed by this show.)
And actually, the show proves less about Sarah than about her kids. Say what you will about their family (the term "idiots" has been used in these reviews, and I'm willing to bet that such reviewers were not so bright in their youth either), these people are real and down-to-earth, and while one would expect them to be seriously affected for better or for worse by Sarah's publicity, and they certainly aren't unaffected, they still seem, in my opinion, true to who they are. They're not idiots, they're people. One of Sarah's kids is retarded; you really feel like you're getting a transparent view of a vulnerable home, and I appreciate that glimpse.
The adventures that they have are quite interesting, if indeed one finds fishing, hunting, panning for gold, kayaking, and other great Alaskan adventures to be interesting. If not, skip, there's too much of it. But the adventures definitely give a picturesque view of Alaska, and this show is amazingly gorgeous in high definition. Get the Blu-ray when it comes out!!
That said, this show is not about her political campaigns. It's about the human being that is Sarah Palin taking a number of exciting outdoor adventures in Alaska. Some of these adventures, such as fishing and hunting, are routine for Sarah. Some of them were clearly scheduled for the show as a new, fresh adventure that Sarah hadn't experienced much or at all before.
That Sarah is a politician is not completely lost in this show; she makes a number of comments about her career as a politician, and we see her taking on television and radio interviews from time to time as well as making the rounds with the locals making political friends. And as she narrates the show (this is her show, after all), it's a no-brainer expectation that she would regularly try to use rhetoric about her adventures in Alaska as analogous to her political career. But really this stuff takes a back seat--way back seat. You come away from this show seeing Ms Palin as Wonder Woman (one of her friends on the show calls her "Amazon Woman'), not so much "governor", "vice-president", or some other officer of the state or United States. (On the other hand, isn't that just the sort of material America needs in office? Less white collar, more blood, sweat, and tears... That's definitely the message Sarah and her followers want portrayed by this show.)
And actually, the show proves less about Sarah than about her kids. Say what you will about their family (the term "idiots" has been used in these reviews, and I'm willing to bet that such reviewers were not so bright in their youth either), these people are real and down-to-earth, and while one would expect them to be seriously affected for better or for worse by Sarah's publicity, and they certainly aren't unaffected, they still seem, in my opinion, true to who they are. They're not idiots, they're people. One of Sarah's kids is retarded; you really feel like you're getting a transparent view of a vulnerable home, and I appreciate that glimpse.
The adventures that they have are quite interesting, if indeed one finds fishing, hunting, panning for gold, kayaking, and other great Alaskan adventures to be interesting. If not, skip, there's too much of it. But the adventures definitely give a picturesque view of Alaska, and this show is amazingly gorgeous in high definition. Get the Blu-ray when it comes out!!
Excellent watch! Enjoyed every minute.
Right-Wing-Man19 July 2011
Not sure why this series got such low reviews, I guess mostly for reasons of politics, and those who hate Palin because of their Liberal anger, which is of course is not the basis to judge a TV series. I went in with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed every minute of this show, and not only to get to know the Palin's, but the sheer beauty of Alaska, one of the last frontier's in the states. I learned so many things about Alaska that I didn't know before, it was really interesting. The Palin's were just great, as well... show highlights what real American families are all about. The family structure is strong and very clear, from her father and mother on down the line. I hope there is a 2nd season, because I for one enjoyed it tremendously. Thank you for a great series.
Seeing Alaska
awayamt120 July 2011
I bought the DVD of Sarah Palin's Alaska from Amazon because I have always admired Governor Sarah Palin and wanted to know more about her. Also found it hard to wait for the TV series to run in Australia . Having read the governor's two books and several books/articles about her, this TV series confirmed the very positive impression I had of Sarah Palin and her family. The TV show also made me want to explore Alaska and it is probably the cheapest way to see Alaska. The viewer gets to see halibut/salmon fishing, logging, dog sledding, gold panning and caribou hunting. It even showed a bear safety class for rifle practice!
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
