Like Tim I don't have broadcast TV. What my wife and I watch is mostly movies on the Internet, or DVD's. I could have Dish Network but we choose not to.
Yes, I suppose Alaska pilots view these two new shows differently, just like Alaskans viewed Sarah Palin's show differently than most others.
The problem with reality TV shows is they have to make them exciting enough to interest the general viewer (the general public), not just those who are interested in whatever the activity is. Ice Road Truckers, SP's Alaska, The Most Dangerous Catch, the stupid show about Alaska State Troopers...they all reflect only exciting or controversial moments out of the participants' true lives, which are satisfying but mostly boring.
So it goes with professional Alaskan pilots. Some are here simply to build time to move on to something else. Others love what they do and wouldn't do anything else. But it is still WORK

and most days most folks simply look forward to getting home to their loved ones, dinner, or at the very least getting somewhere warm, to their poker game and beer with their buds. I suspect that the shows will not reflect the true reality of their situations, but will be wayyyyyy over-dramatized to cater to the general public who know very little about flying much less being a working pilot.
What I think would be great is more of a
One-Six Right type of documentary focusing on the broader spectrum of aviation in Alaska. Perhaps center on Illiamna, or King Salmon, or Juneau, or even Bethel and see all the interesting things which are happening in one airport - be it the 18 year old flying his Dad's shortwing Piper out to the cabin or some of the legacy cargo aircraft still flying supplies up here.
No doubt what WILL be great in these shows is the scenery. I still have to shake my head on every flight be it for work or play to believe what I am seeing is real. For a preview check out the back cover of the Fourth Quarter 170 News
