You betcha! Sarah Palin show lands at TLC [Updated]

Maybe there will be a crossover episode with Kate Gosselin.

Discovery Communications' TLC cable network -- home to Kate Gosselin and her brood as well as "Cake Boss" -- has just added former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin to its roster.

TLC is the new home for a reality show featuring Palin and her family. Details about the show, which will be produced by Mark Burnett, whose credits include the CBS hit "Survivor," are sketchy. The show has an eight-episode commitment and is expected to premiere later this year at the earliest.

The program likely will be as much about Alaska as it is about Palin and her family. With a political career still in the offing, it seems unlikely that she will open the door that wide on the day-to-day life of her family.

[Updated at 10:51 a.m. Discovery stressed that this show, indeed, will be about more about Alaska than about  Palin and her family although she will have an active role on the show. The network is positioning the series more as documentary than reality show.

In the announcement for the show, Palin said her family enjoyed Discovery and that she looked "forward to working with Mark to bring the wonder and majesty of Alaska to all Americans."]

No price for the show was released, but reports of a license fee of more than $1 million per episode are over the top, a person close to the project said.

-- Joe Flint

Photo: Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is welcomed to the stage at the Orange County Republican Party fundraiser in Orlando, Fla., on March 12, 2010. Credit: Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel/Associated Press

Comments

[RWH]

How sad for TLC.

[Keith]

Great. I sure wouldn't want a quiter on my show. I won't miss her a bit.

[John De Salvio]

TLC, as far as I recall, is the abbreviation for THE LEARNING CHANNEL. If I want to learn anything about Alaska, Sarah Palin is the LAST person I would seek. Is she gonna shoot that documentary for ya with a telescopic sight from a helicopter (wink wink)? Sarah Palin is all about Sarah Palin and her ego.

[Harry Blumenthal]

Just when Sarah Palin has incited the Republican Teabaggers and other crazies to carry out violence upon Democrats in Congress, TLC announces that she has been given a show on its network. This decision is not just idiotic, it appears to be calculated to inspire controversy and more of the same polarization that has been moving toward more and more racial violence and political grandstanding that feeds the violence, than at any time in US history since the Civil War. TLC can only be thinking of ratings, but at the expense of what? Feeding the fire that is already the most evident danger to freedom and safety of American citizens. Yes, racism and gang mentality tactics have risen their ugly heads again. The political system, DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA, which was decimated, but not destroyed during Bush/Cheney, is even more at risk now, as citizens are encoruaged by elected congressional representatives to take up arms against those who disagree with them.

Sarah Palin claims to have given up her position as Governor of Alaska to become Rogue. We now know what becoming 'rogue' means to her. She is a fugure who was used by presidential candidate, John McCain, in a last resort attempt to get a failing campaign going. Her credentials are next to none it truth. Her support is among the most frightened, violent and psychologically wounded of Americans, who think there is only one 'right' and all who disagree with it should be killed. TLC, you are risking supporting a character who inspires violence and death. It appears you are doing so for ratings. I, for one love Alaska. In my opinion, Sarah Palin does not. She is the last person in the world whom I would trust to show the real Alaska, which is more about the beauty of real wilderness than anything else. TLC, be aware of what you invite by propping up such a dangerous character in an attempt to improve ratings.

[socal frank]

How is she going to write the entire script on the palm of her hand?

[Abbie Grant]

Appropriately stated. Details of the show are "sketchy?" How could it be anything else with this woman?

[Jim8]

The Leaning Channel has lost it's way.

[davo babilonia]

How pathetic is this !!!

[pasadena jag]

I love Palin - she gives new meaning to the total decline and fall of the USA Empire.

[Lou Z]

Is there no relief from this mad woman?
Must we really be put upon to see and hear her regularly?
Surely there must be a way to get her back to Alaska permanently.

[LAME]

So utterly pathetic and annoying that this nitwit is making money of her own nonsense. Too bad this country can't see this woman for what she truly is: self serving and a bully.

[Roger Hall]

Ugh. Why are we being so punished?

[The Bell]

Maybe it's just a nasty rumor – but wasn't there a time when TLC used to stand for The Learning Channel? Not any more.

I sure hope they don't run her head to head against Jerry Springer, or viewing audiences won't know where to turn.

[LAJimm]

BOYCOTT Discovery - though she'll probably quit before finishing it and it won't ever air.

[tpkelley1]

That's a new low for TLC. I'll be sure to miss that one.

[Darlene]

I have no idea why TLC would put such a shallow, ignorant person on television. Apparently, her "folksy" backwards language appeals to the ignorant people that like her. Surely TLC network is out of ideas for a reality show. I expect Sarah Palin will continue to embarass herself.

[frankru1]

Yet another reason to not watch TLC. What's next, "Dancing With the Stars?"

[jb]

Hear that? The sound of no one watching (or caring)

[JP]

There is nothing to learn from this woman - she's an utter nit-wit.

[JRA]

Sarah needs to keep her wardrobe choices in keeping with regional climates....It's a bit too wintery for FL Ms. Palin. Just saying.

[AD]

Haha she has gone Hollywood on all the teabaggers! Maybe she'll stop insulting us by saying Hollywood doesn't understand the "true" America. She's drank the kool-aid! She's one of us! "Elitists" FTW.

[Julio Matamoros]

The execs at TLC are people who are not looking at the entire picture. Sure, there is a population of less-than-rational people who don't realize what Sara is doing is inciting them to riot. Placing targets on people - what happens when someone acts on this? The blood will be on her hands. You can makes excuses when you have a following of individuals who don't look at the whole picture. It's tragic that people actually think she is a leader - she is a quitter. TLC should be boycotted and Alaskan's should be upset that they chose her as their spokes-thing.

[Ken P.]

Maybe Babs Boxer can consider a reality show on writing mystery novels after her career is ended by California voters this fall.

[Doug]

The threshhold for success on TLC is so low that a national figure (for better or actually, mostly worse) is almost a guarantee for ratings. So probably not a bad move. But while it is almost certain to get blockbuster ratings out of the gate, I am sure Palin will keep tight editorial control and as a result the show will be a bore. We can only hope that it will not last.

[j thompson]

Great news! Sarah was born for awful, soul-wrenching reality cable TV.

Keep her as far away from politics as possible!!!