About AK IRL
Hi! My name is Sam, I’m a writer living in Anchorage. If you know me, you know that I love reality tv in all its forms. Dating shows, competitions, docusoaps, social experiments, but also the niche subculture series that highlight Alaska. The kitschy version of this place we live portrayed in reality tv is equal parts stereotypical and sensationalized — yet we still watch. A former governor has her own TLC series. A man from Red Devil won $1 million mainly because he survived off a musk ox he killed with his bare hands. MTV had a one-season show following a group living in the “modern day Wild Wild west of Alaska” (otherwise known as Wasilla).
Dozens of shows have been filmed here, and new projects are being pitched all the time. Why does Alaska captivate so many audiences? And what makes us keep coming back?
AK IRL is a newsletter dedicated to the dozens of shows filmed in Alaska; each week I’ll dive into a reality television show set in Alaska, or highlight reality shows where someone is from the 907.
About Sam
For years, I worked at various media organizations across the state, including for KTVA (rip) as a reporter-slash-web-editor and education reporter for the Anchorage Daily News. Before that, I went to UAA where I received my bachelors degrees in journalism and political science.
I’ve been called a Bravo historian on multiple occasions. I'm a mom (to a dog baby as well as human baby), a Leo and an active Runescape member.
A few faves
For Vice – Alaska’s Trumpian Governor Just Threatened the Health of the Entire State
For ADN (republished in the Canadian Broadcasting Association, Chicago Tribune, Huffington Post and Seattle Times) – Anchorage Costco customers say ravens are stealing their groceries in the parking lot
Alaska teen activist and model brings ‘Indigenous excellence’ to the cover of Vogue Mexico
Anchorage singer-songwriter wins NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest
Awards
2020
National Edward R. Murrow Award: Excellence in Social Media — KTVA 11 News
2019
Alaska Press Club: First place for Best Blog — The Spenardian
Alaska Press Club: First place for Best Overall Magazine — The Spenardian, Issue 5
Public Relations Society of America, Alaska Aurora Awards: Third place in External Publications — The Spenardian
2018
Alaska Press Club: Third place for Best Blog — The Spenardian