‘Sarah Palin’s Alaska’ : A gold rush for tourism?

Alaska, here we come! Whether you love Sarah Palin or hate her, there’s little doubt that the free-spirited politician’s new eight-part TV series, “Sarah Palin’s Alaska,” will boost tourism to her home state. The series, which will make its debut Nov. 14 on TLC, documents America’s final frontier through the eyes of its most famous current citizen.

The state provides a breathtaking backdrop as the Palin family goes salmon fishing and climbs a peak in Denali National Park & Preserve. Wildlife is everywhere: A brown bear placidly swims by the Palins as they are fishing, while later a pair of bears wrestle their way into the water – so close that the ensuing splash looks as if it almost could have capsized the Palins’ boat.

Audiences at BlogWorld Expo in Las Vegas got a sneak peek at the series last week when keynote speaker and producer Mark Burnett (“Survivor,” “The Apprentice”) showed some extended clips. You can see a shorter version in the YouTube video above.

Some wags will no doubt look for clues as to what the former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate plans for her political future. She reveals this much:

“This is flippin’ fun!” she exclaims while enjoying the great outdoors. “I’d rather be doing this than be in some stuffy old political office….I’d rather be out here being free.”

Burnett, who is producing “Sarah Palin’s Alaska,” said he was one of more than 200 producers and outlets pitching shows and projects to Palin. Burnett said he believes he won out because his series aimed to show off the glory of Alaska, a subject close to the former governor’s heart.

Citing research that indicates many Americans dream of one day visiting the state, he said he thinks the show will resonate with viewers, no matter what their political affiliation.