Alaska’s Sarah Palin – Was Karl Rove Right?

The TLC network premiered the first episode of their new show “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” last night. Considering the content and focus of the show, a more apt title might have been “Alaska’s Sarah Palin.” Viewers tuning in learned more about the state’s former Governor, than the state itself. Palin and fellow Fox News star Karl Rove entered into a war of words over Rove’s usage of the term “reality show.” Palin insisted it was a travel documentary. After viewing the initial episode, it seems Rove may have been correct.

True, we learned some things about Alaska – how majestic and beautiful it is, how the summers are short and active, that ice chasms, when they crack, can swallow you up and that Alaska leads the nation is small aircraft deaths. The latter is a fact the state’s travel promoters may want to avoid highlighting in their brochures, as small aircraft seems to be a major way to travel around the state, at least for the Palin’s.

Rather than featuring the history and providing insights on Alaska, the show’s focus is squarely on Palin; highlighting her natural and breezy style, her adorable children and her husband Todd, who cuts a supportive, sturdy and stoic figure. About Palin we learned she is an active and hands on Mom, baking cupcakes, monitoring daughter Willow’s crafty boyfriend and encouraging the family to enjoy the outdoors. There’s also a glimpse into the broadcast studio built next door to the Palin’s home, from where Sarah is often seen commenting on Fox News. During the final moments of the show, viewers see Sarah conquer her previously unknown fear of heights, while rock climbing. Nice, but what about Alaska?

It certainly would have been interesting to learn of Palin’s family history. How and why did they settle in Alaska? What makes Alaska unique and why does Palin love it as much as her own family? Perhaps future episodes will provide us answers. So set against some of the most stunning scenery ever witnessed, the show is less of a travelogue, and more of a peek inside the Palin family’s life.

Most reality shows have a compelling “hook” to snare the attention of the viewer. They keep them returning week after week because of compelling situations: crafty and fierce competition (Survivor, Amazing Race), unique living arrangements (Big Brother), finding romance (Rock of Love, The Bachelor) or big business appeal (The Apprentice). Typically there is a payoff; someone ultimately wins something, which is the essential ingredient for all drama, real or contrived; overcoming a challenge, in order to attain a positive outcome.

Sarah Palin’s Alaska has the hook to be sure, but whether or not interest is sustainable remains to be seen. Despite being one of the nation’s most polarizing political figures, the show is devoid of any overt political content or controversy. In fact, the show, even with the superb scenery, was rather on the dull side. Die hard Palin fans will relish in the footage of the family fishing trip, complete with dueling grizzly bears, but non-Palinites have no real reason to return, unless they succumbed to Palin’s charms during this show.

Upcoming episode previews show scenes of fishing, snow mobile riding, target shooting and other outdoor activities. However, with no real point of view or providing insights as to why Alaska is unique, why would viewers bother looking in on a family merely having fun?

With so much emphasis on Sarah’s daily life and Alaska reduced to a supporting player, it seems Karl Rove was accurate in his “reality show” description. It’s not an insult just reality – no pun intended. Political commentators will debate over the next seven weeks of the show’s scheduled airings, as to the political benefits Palin might reap from this show, and whether this will be the launching pad for her potential 2012 Presidential run. Perhaps that’s the show’s ultimate payoff – a live series finale, culminating with Sarah’s 2012 announcement.

Now that would be compelling, reality television.