ALASKA REALITY TV: MEET THE NEW CLASS

Image used under Flickr Creative Commons license from Luke Jones.

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably noticed new television shows about Alaska seem to keep sprouting up like wild fireweed, with no end in sight. According to local reports, there have been at least 34 Alaska reality shows spring up in the past five years. Given Alaska is the third least-populated state in the country, this statistic makes for a pretty high ratio of camera crews to permanent residents. Still, these shows continue to gain traction and popularity. Last year brought us some new hits such at MTV’s Slednecks, Edge of Alaska and Alaskan Bush People, to name a few. Here’s an overview of some of the new and notable offerings in the world of Alaska reality TV.

“Edge of Alaska” on the Discovery Channel focuses on the town of McCarthy and the people who call it home. The show uses a common dilemma as the crux of its conflict – should McCarthy embrace the profitable tourism-driven economy of the modern era, or stick to its traditional ways of living?

MTV’s “Slednecks” is a wild romp starring a group of 19 to 24-year-olds in Wasilla. It started (and may have ended) within the past few months, following the friends’ eccentric antics, including glacier parties, relationship drama and more. Think MTV’s Jersey Shore, but swap the shore for the Alaska wilderness. You can still catch up on full episodes on the show’s website.

Discovery Channel’s “Alaskan Bush People” stars the Brown family, a self-proclaimed “wolf pack” living in a one-room cabin in the Copper River Valley. They keep themselves so far removed from society that they even have their own accent. Alaskan Bush People chronicles the family’s tactics for living off the land, a constant battle in the unforgiving Alaska wilderness.

“Ultimate Survival Alaska” is a competition series in its third season on the National Geographic Channel. The past year introduced team Lower 48 to the fray where they joined team Military, team Endurance and team Alaskans in the ultimate battle. Only the strong prevail in this challenge where Alaska nearly always has the upper hand. The stakes are high and the prize is simply the right to call yourself the last team standing.

Finally, TLC’s answer to the Alaska reality show movement comes in the form of “Escaping Alaska,” where a group of young Alaska Natives secretly steal away to sunny San Diego to experience a completely different way of life, with a flair for the dramatic.

So what do you think is next for 2015? Do you want to see more adventure or more dramatics? What shows will rise to the top and join the likes of “Deadliest Catch” and which shows will flounder? We’ll certainly be staying tuned!