It’s official: Sarah Palin is getting her own reality show, ahem, “documentary series.” The trade press reports from earlier this week were right, sort of: Palin did sign with Discovery Networks, but her show will air not on Discovery Channel (home of Deadliest Catch) but on TLC (home of Kate Gosselin).
Which seems like a tacit acknowledgment that the attraction of the “documentary,” and the reason for signing it, is not the wild natural grandeur of Alaska but the wild publicity magnetism of Sarah Palin. “TLC is about strong characters and compelling narratives,” a spokesman told the New York Times. It’s also—judging from its experience with Jon & Kate’s breakup—about the belief that there is no such thing as bad publicity. From the sounds of it, though, the show’s focus (more travelogue than biography) seems unchanged—though the show has not yet gone into production.
You can see this earlier post of mine for my thoughts on what the deal means for Discovery Networks and for Sarah Palin’s political future. Fire up the snow machines!
Update: TLC has put out the official announcement. Excerpts after the jump:
Discovery Communications has acquired the global rights to Sarah Palin’s Alaska (wt), a new eight-part documentary series about the remarkable Governor Palin and her home state of Alaska. Slated to premiere on TLC, the series will be executive produced by Emmy-award winner Mark Burnett of Survivor and Apprentice fame.
“Our family enjoys Discovery’s networks,” said Governor Sarah Palin. “I look forward to working with Mark to bring the wonder and majesty of Alaska to all Americans.”
[snip]
The series reunites the company with Mark Burnett Productions, which co-produced Eco-Challenge, the precursor to Survivor, for Discovery Channel from 1996-1999.
“With a dynamic personality that has captivated millions, I can’t think of anyone more compelling than Sarah Palin to tell the story of Alaska,” said Mark Burnett. “I’m thrilled to reunite with Discovery on this project, which brings together one of the most fascinating figures of our time with one of the most wondrous places on earth.”