Sarah Palin’s Alaska debuted on TLC last night and this morning one can read in any number of places how the show is not just about Alaska but is also about Sarah Palin.
(“Her new TLC series isn’t just about the great outdoors—it’s also about her greater career ambitions,” explains Shelley Ross at newsweek.com).
Ross also helpfully locates the “7 Secret Political Messages in [Palin’s] New Reality Show,” while an LA Times blog “decod[es]” the episode to find its “Top 3 Lessons.” One can browse a list of “Top 10 Moments” from the show at washingtonpost.com, or, if time-pressed, opt for people.com’s “Top 3 Moments.”
The show left ABC News wondering, “Could Sarah Palin’s Alaska Lead to Sarah Palin’s White House?” Ditto CNN (“Sarah Palin’s Alaska: Running for president on reality TV?”) CBS News, similarly, asks: “Sarah Palin’s Alaska - a 2012 Campaign Ad?” There is no question at Salon: “Sarah Palin’s Alaska: Hour-long campaign ad.” Adweek, meanwhile, breaks it down:
Since Sept. 12, TLC has averaged 1.34 million viewers in the [Sarah Palin’s Alaska] slot. Based on projected deliveries and estimated spot costs, Palin could receive as much as $2.25 million in free media exposure per episode, or $18 million for the entire series. In other words, if Palin were to make a run for the White House in 2012, TLC will have gifted the world’s most famous hockey mom with an unprecedented tide of soft-focus campaign support.
Ms. Palin surely is eye candy, but Americans have no deficit in that category.
She is simply up to infantilizing our political system until it fits her tiny worldview.
#1 Posted by David A. Buehler, PhD, CJR on Tue 16 Nov 2010 at 07:24 AM
Ingantalizing to fit her tiny BRAIN for that matter. I was nauseated to see a photo of Palin with wolf cubs, especially since she had put bounties on wolves, (ie paying out for the front paws of wolves)even hunting them from helicopters and air planes. The thought that so many people think she is interesting and hang on her every word has me baffled. Isn't our country dummied down enough alread?!
#2 Posted by Jenn Leach, CJR on Tue 16 Nov 2010 at 10:20 AM
Of course it's about Sarah Palin; if nothing else, she knows how to keep herself in the public eye. Will she run for office? She doesn't even know but it pays to keep people guessing.
#3 Posted by corinne, CJR on Tue 16 Nov 2010 at 11:56 AM
I just read where Palin coined the word "refudiate." Palin isn't smart enough to make up good words! Besides, I've been using that word for years!!! She reminds me a great deal of George W. Bush and his inability to utilize proper english. She also has his knack for double talking and denial. Anyone who would belive Palin to be a viable candidate for ANY office needs serious psychological help. Makes me sick to listen to her speak!
eye candy??? David, have you been living on an island for the last 50 yrs???
I agree with Jenn!!! Palin is a bore at best!! Why would I waste my time watching her BS reality special? She's only trying to score points for her future political aspirations.
#4 Posted by Tiggy, CJR on Tue 16 Nov 2010 at 02:40 PM
WHO CARES WHAT IS IN HER BACK YARD AND HER HEAD. BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
#5 Posted by sandy richmond, CJR on Tue 16 Nov 2010 at 06:48 PM