Sarah Palin to host TV show documenting Alaska’s natural wonders

By Julie Schwietert On March 27, 2010 · 17 Comments

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Politics aside–no, really–is Sarah Palin truly the state’s best ambassador for wild Alaska?

TV and digital media reporter Brian Stelter writes in today’s New York Times that the former Alaska governor has entered into an agreement with the cable channel TLC to film an eight-part documentary about Alaska.

Discovery’s Chief Operating Officer, Peter Liguori had the following to say in the company’s press release:

“Discovery Communications is so excited to help Sarah Palin tell the story of Alaska, and to have a great documentary filmmaker in Mark Burnett helping to reveal Alaska’s powerful beauty as it has never been filmed, and as told by one of the state’s proudest daughters,” said Peter Liguori, Chief Operating Officer, Discovery Communications.

Screenshot from TLC.

Note that just under the press release is a video clip of Palin sitting on a couch that appears to be topped by a bear rug– complete with bear head.

According to Stelter, Palin had been shopping her TV show pitch around Hollywood this month, with little initial success; all the broadcast networks turned down her proposal, presumably due to its nature-oriented theme. But TLC, under its parent company, Discovery, bought global rights to the show and is reportedly prepared to pay Palin more than $1 million per episode for her hosting skills.

There are at least a dozen jabs I could make about all this, but the real point I want to make is this: Is Sarah Palin really the best ambassador for wild Alaska?

This is the woman who has argued that climate change is not a real phenomenon, but a conspiracy theory promulgated by “so-called…experts” using “fraudulent scientific practices.” “[W]e can’t say with assurance that man’s activities cause weather changes,” Palin asserted in an op-ed piece in The Juneau Empire and The Washington Post.

She’s also the woman who has been repeatedly cited by environmental advocacy groups as having an “abysmal” record when it comes to conservation and environmental protection policies and practices. Among the evidence they draw upon:

-As governor, Palin disputed the conclusions of research conducted by the federal National Marine Fisheries Service regarding the beluga whale population. The NMFS stated that the belugas are in critical danger; Palin argued that the population was actually rebounding.

-Palin resisted efforts of state legislators to protect streams where salmon spawn from mining effluence.

-Palin supported an initiative to shoot wolves from helicopters, as well as a policy of paying a $150 bounty–from state funds– to hunters who turned in “freshly killed” wolves.

-Palin supported drilling for oil in Alaska.

-She sued the Interior Department to contest its decision to list the polar bear as an endangered species.

As she stepped onto the national stage, Palin often portrayed herself as a lifelong nature lover. Photos of Palin fishing, hunting, and riding an ATV were commonplace, and there’s nothing wrong with any of that (well, except maybe the ATV-riding).

But being a fisher and hunter does not an environmentalist make, and Palin’s hardly a champion of the natural world.

So why has TLC gone where the broadcast networks didn’t even want to tread? Is Sarah Palin really the best ambassador to show off Alaska’s wilderness?

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About The Author

Julie Schwietert

Julie Schwietert Collazo is a writer, editor, researcher, and translator currently in New York, formerly of Mexico City and San Juan. She is Matador's managing editor and is the lead faculty member of MatadorU's travel writing program.

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http://www.expatheather.com Heather Carreiro

Facebooked this. Wondering what my Palinista friends will think about it. For me, I think the photo with the bear rug sums it all up…

Can’t really blame TLC though from a marketing perspective, many people like Palin and will probably watch the show. My guess is it will be more about her than about discovering Alaska.
http://www.expatheather.com Heather Carreiro

First reaction on my Facebook page:

Obviously NOT from a Palinista
http://www.expatheather.com Heather Carreiro

First comment about this article on my Facebook page:

They should let a polar bear eat her alive and broadcast it on espn
http://carlo-alcos.com Carlo

Money talks.
http://theworldistoobig.wordpress.com Matt Scott

This must be a joke no? I don’t know enough synonyms for hypocrite to fill this comment. I’m front of the line for the polar bear feast though!
http://milesofabbie.com Abbie

I think the poll should have a “hell no” choice!
http://www.lolaakinmade.com Lola

Scary times indeed.
http://girlunstoppable.com Ekua

Oh man, this is disturbing. Just this week, I was excited about some shows I watched on the Discovery Channel. I will definitely NOT be watching this one. Having really well known people narrate Discovery shows already bothers me, but this takes it too far. “Money talks” indeed, and I think this kind of thing is part of a larger celebrity/infamous person obsession problem. I think as long as people allow themselves to put their money and time into celebrity nonsense, integrity will continue to disappear from TV.
Somchai

While I have extreme differences with Ms Palin politically. I do think she’d be a great person to bring the “wonder and majesty” of Alaska to a wider audience. Although in my opinion Ms Palin has proven a very poor administrator of Alaska and even Wassila, she is extremely charismatic. No one is suggesting she is an environmentalist.

Some of her positions are politics hiding from science (global warming) others are the studied opionions of the best wildlife biologists working for the US government (polar bears). And while much of the anger of Ms Palin’s suporters is grounded in fear of things they don’t understand, different ethnicities, shifting demographics, so too is much of the anger directed at her and the part of America she typifies, rural, religious, sportsmen.

Consider how much greenhouse gas is produced by an ATV compared to that produced by a typical transcontinental flight, who are the polluters? Them is us.

In the past week there have been many threats of violence against political figures in the United States, paticularly congress people who voted for health care reform. . Giving voice to thoughts of the violent death of another has no place in polite discourse, on Facebook, or a blog.

Julie Schwietert

Somchai- I always appreciate your responses. You actually point out something really important: a lot of people like Sarah Palin, and in spite of her environmental record, she might actually convince the viewer to be interested in and care about Alaska.

And I absolutely agree about the horror show response to the healthcare decision. I find it utterly appalling.

CARSON44

Sarah Palin is somewhat a breath of fresh air from my point of view. Here is a political outsider that comes on the national stage and in her folksy manner tells people what she thinks. is she articulate? Not always, but shouldn’t we be a little suspicious of those that always have the answer? As far as her enviromental record goes; how much politics is in the results of the polls and studies? I always ask myself when people are attacked in the press, “How well would I stand up to the cold light of the press?” If that thought isn’t enought to scare you,well so be it.
http://matadornetwork.com david miller

seems like a ‘desperate move’ by Discovery Channel.

weak.
http://everything-everywhere.com Gary Arndt

Would you be writing about an 8 part Discovery show about Alaska if someone else was the host? Probably not.

This has had exactly the effect they wanted. Half the people will watch, half the people are going nuts and talking about it.

By writing the article, you are playing right into the hands of the Discovery Channel publicity department.

Julie Schwietert

Gary- Maybe so. But the buzz will die in about 12 hours.

http://milesofabbie.com Abbie

If you’d like to sign & send a petition to the Discovery Channel Pres & CEO, go here – http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/806038917 (I signed it!)
Jennifer Fusco

RE: Heather Carreiro’s comment re: “we can’t really “blame” them..???You’re comment,re” “Marketing?” “The “Discovery Channel” is not low on ratings,nor do they need to further enrich the already popular channel..”Management” should be the mentality of this excitement,the “collective” efforts of Mark Burnett,who is “not,a “great “film maker! Paying Palin a MIl$ for each episode? This “fiasco” should have been “Cat-a-GORE-ized” as an Expose’ thus telling the truth re: Palin’s “imfamous” hiring of her “Aereil Flying Henchmen”,also the “imfamous” Bounty reward of the Wolf’s “foreleg” which pays her hunters $150$ for the body part! This narcisissitic,phycopath,& mark Burnett’s “self-serving” efforts to have this “honorable” [mess] to his credit! Looks like his close minded quest to make more millions has blinded his morality..if you’re for slaughtering wolves,you’re not for “humanity!” Palin’s innate hatred for all animals,is not just a dislike,she has ignored the stastistics from scientists,the total #’s of livestock,the wolf has suddenly been blamed for after 30+yrs..why,because “bush” DElisted the wolf {Endangered Species protection Act”]just 2 mo’s before he flew the coop!”Defenders of Wildlife”have the FACTS,the total numbers,proving the “Big-Bad-Wolf” theory[imagined] tells me this mentality has gotten stuck in “fairy tales”,This should be an “expose’ telling us about the shooting from planes the poisonous bombs thrown into “cub dens” [taking 12 hrs ,the cubs are subjected to untold pain& suffering,& insanity!] for what? pregnant wolf season[Salazar's[Idaho] who said “I want to be the 1st to “shoot a wolf” has gotten too much “power of Abuse”from Obama! These are “caninnes!”dogs!,Their hunting habits are unlike those described..they are not the carniverous monsters Palin wants us to believe,rather her private rich hunters whom she “saves” her Cariboo[moose] in the name of “trophy Hunters!” this barbaric slaughtering,is the reflection of a dark soul! From “Life” to Death? This same channel where Animal Cops are trying to stop abuse?APL]Parent channel..You’ll not see Nat/Geo in this immorally sickening so called “special” paying her a hefty 1 mil a episode..The comments.from Peter Liguori,saying “Discovery Communications is so excited,to “HELP”[my quotes!],Sarah Palin-to have a “Great documentary film-maker[Burnett?] “Helping?” Alaska’s powerful beauty?as it has never been filmed?and told by one of the state’s “Proudest daughter’s???” what??[said Peter Liguori,Cheif Operating Officer,"Discovery Communications] Communications? Liguori’s “communicative ear” is deaf as he is also blind,either he’s insane,or doesn’t “want” to hear the educated science behind this slaughtering practice,either way Burnetts kiss ass mentality,”the Collective”{ all]we are “livid” that this has gone this far..this lunatic who discusses our president on tv..is dangerous,her rhetoric,is of a ranting nature..her followers,in states where the masses are overweight,toothless,as if they’d just seen a “God”..are obvious red-necks..”we are like our enviornments”[ ask the Alaskan people what ":they think re: Palin's wolf slaughtering..Palin has thrown out all the letters sent to her[FACT!]some just like to kill,thus the regard for human life is non-exsistent..animals have a soul,a mind,they see things from the “spiritual world”[unlike human's] They deserve their own territory scientists have proven this can be done..Didn’t anyone see “dances with Wolves?’ the “trained” brother&sister wolf..team so precious were they..they “fear” man..they’ll not attack..a man..”man” is the preditor here! Coyotes,disease,dogs,many attributed to these so called livestock killings..I read the percentages of what is imagined as the wolf being the “only” hunter..of other animals..read the defenders of wildlife..Facts..also Those “permits given to just anyone to kill wolves? “Wolfderbies?’ Pregnat woves,like I said..& Palin wants us to believe she’s so compassionate re:the Unborn fetus??please,she tried to starve on her 12 hr trip home trying to loose her baby!Fact! After 40+ she couldn’t stop for a second to grab a “Trojan?’ Her “family” life is a not! Her morals,well she did have an affair w/ Todd[the Nod's] business partner[talk about shi...h where you eat??Burnett must be ovlivious to the Larry King show too he missed the pres,[Defenders w/ Ashley Judd]shown a clip re: the plane[no sound was heard] above as the wolf was shot,he tried to climb the snowy slopes,tramatized,as if unexcepting his fate..he struggled for his life,,it was too sad,,the lone wolf,just kept trying to live..the Kodack moment while the murdering evil [men] smile for their phot-op..while the wolf’s blood dripping from it’s magnificent fur..soon his “foreleg” would be cut!! Matador didn’t write that above!”State’s Proudest Daughter?”This Peter Liguori,should stay away from the “written word” he has no talent when it comes to writing! His insane portrayal of such an evil enity,the millions he’s worth,+ Burnett’s blind “vision-less”,phoney garbage is all about money! But there may be something good,here,this OPENS the Protesting,thus follows the Reasons why..the protesting,thus,will expose the TRUTH..She opened the door,she’s so stupid,uneducated,backwards..backWOODS,spoiled,lazy,whench whose daughter dodes nothing for humankind,rather told Levi to IGNORE his own sister![Larry King}Palin calling it "distusting" re: Levi's photo shoot,was not porno! He did it for his baby[2.?million] whereas Bristol doesn’t have to go to work to support her baby..sitting on her rich spoiled behind..Palin’s affair..what was that..Not Distusting? She’s the “Mastermind “behind” the “Aereil Flying” $4000,000$ og government $$$ paid in full..also the $150$ REWARD FOR the wolf’s foreleg..Sometimes the wolf isn’t dead yet! Permits to HUNT WOLVES are for the private Hunters belonging to Palin..where as the real men will not hunt a WOLF!!That day is closed for any hunter,unless they have the permit to hunt WOLVES..Ranchers say it is so small the fraction of killings by wolves,thus erecting their own protections so as NOT to HAVE TO SHOOT A WOLF!They’ve built fortifacations surrounding their livestock BUT there are coyotes,too..”These insane lunatics were even thinking of the Bald eagle..imagine the IDLE minds that just needed to KILL{hunt] something..for this Bush Delisted the wolf,without reading the science..he was Imfamous for that..college does not an education make! Bush was[is] adrunken fool[Watch "W" on Showtime!]Obama,better stop his desructive passiveness re: OUR Wildlife he’s allowing Idaho’s SALAZAR “OTTER{BUTCH}what a real red-neck name! the gov of UTAH,also in for the WOLF kill..all this on DISCOVERY..is insanity…When will the ad for Defenders- be on more,they said they hit their total..MSNBC,CNN was to run the Palin horrors..why doesn’t the celeb’s like “O” Won-Free” fame say something to OBAMA while she visited their White House..she YUKKED it up w/ them,what the hell does she have in common w/ a lawyer[1st lady?]anyway..she never speaks out re:anything..her fame came..”Becuase” she was black..ever hear her thank the man who put her ontop..while she sits & talks to rich celeb’s everyday! Where was her struggle,she allowed Palin to get away w/ everything..she didn’t say one word re:her wolf slaughtering..that’s because Obama no doubt told her not to touch that issue.on the other hand,many other reporters said ‘they’d have jumped at that chance to question her VS the scientific community’s findongs! “O” is devoid of any intellectual deapth,I knew nothing would be asked..
Well as far as the original comment..forget the garbage re: your “scttered thoughts” re: the reasoning for this “Discovery “fiasco! saying it had some justifaction..is not true,there’s nothing to justify this,except maybe greed,they didn’t need ratings..also people will watch this JUST to hear the LIES,her whinning voice those stretched syllables,the “S’sss” that make me want to punch her out..Dronning,annoying,speeches also lead back to where she left off..she told “O” “why couldn’t “I” be the 1st to speak? In other words,no vice pres EVER made or will ever MAKE a speech while the president JUST WON AN ELECTION..her eyes full of tears ,because she was crying for herself..she couldn’t stabd not being able to talk..she’s the most conceited entity,[evil]ever to be introduced..Palin craves to the DEATH the reinvention of herself the 1st cahnve she gets,continuing to REintroduce herself over&over..like the 6 schools in 6 years? The schools by the way[Alaska] are said to be the worst..]Parents had to Protest while out in freezing cold..standing on the steps..while they said “Palin ignored us!!”Go to “Defenders of Wildlife get all the truth.”.Cruella DeVille”is their nick name for her..They’ll keep you informed,of all she does..
Phil V.

I love Matador, I really do. And I like Julie Schwietert’s writing. But when you guys wade into politics it is really annoying. The blind hatred for Sarah Palin really boggles me. I understand not agreeing with her politics, but it is the deep hatred of her that I just don’t get. The things that people are willing to say about her are nuts. I mean you got people cheering the idea of her getting eaten by a bear. If some right winger Tea Party activist said that about Obama, you would probably call it hate speech, dangerous, and maybe even racist. You would probably decry the tone of politics from the right. And this is why people like her. She has a loyal fan base of people who identify with her, and they feel personally insulted when they hear and read the venom that gets spewed about her. They look at her as an outsider who represents change. The more people hate on her, the more they like to root for her. There are a lot of people who see a little piece of themselves in Sarah Palin. It might be hard for some people here to imagine, but there are people out there who have a lot in common with her. From a small town, hunts, fishes, went to a state university (not on a coast), ok with drilling for oil (cuz after all, they drive cars and fly in airplanes), practices some craaazy obscure religion (what’s it called…Christianism or something?), is married and has more than two kids. I know these people are really weird and you probably have never met any of them. I’m sure if you met a bunch of people like this in a different country you would probably take pictures of them and maybe even blog about how fascinating they are. Ever think maybe some of the people commenting here just aren’t comfortable with people of different cultures??

Sarah Palin to host TV show documenting Alaska’s natural wonders

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