Do the Alaskan Bush People get paid? We asked! Read our interview with the Brown family.
In Episode 4 of Discovery Channel’s Alaskan Bush People, “Fight or Flight,” premiering Tuesday, May 27, the Brown family is faced with another life-altering decision when gunshots are fired on their land. The Browns suffer yet another hardship and face an uncertain future.
RELATED: What happened to Discovery Channel’s Alaskan Bush People?
Alaskan Bush People Season 1 Recaps: Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | The Wild Life
Season 2 Recaps: Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Wild Times | Episode 9 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12 | Episode 13 | Episode 14 | SHARK WEEK! | Episode 15 | Episode 16 | Lost Footage | The Wild Year
So after last week’s episode in which the locals decided to come build the Browns’ cabin and sing “Kumbaya” and celebrate the spirit of Alaska, now we get people shooting guns at them and death threats aimed at the Browns and the show’s crew reported to us by ominous onscreen titles.
And then this show goes totally wheels-off.
We’re told that someone, angry about the Browns bringing TV cameras with them, opened fire on them. We’re given few details about what happened next. Did the authorities get involved? Was there an investigation? Look, I know law enforcement is probably pretty stretched in these parts, but I think death threats and someone shooting at you is probably enough to get a visit from Alaska State Troopers (a whole different show!) in the very least. And why did they stop production on the show just when the FIRST AND ONLY INTERESTING THING IN THIS ENTIRE SERIES just happened? It just doesn’t make any damn sense. [Update: Zaz Hollander of Alaska Dispatch has some excellent reporting on this incident and how the production impacted Copper River Valley residents.]
We’re told the Browns just decided to pack up, sell the land, sell the SUV and go back to Southeast Alaska by boat, thereby making everything you’ve watched so far utterly pointless. It’s like the producers said, “So, Billy, this cabin-building thing was great and all. But this stable home stuff, it’s just not good TV. And, you know, it’s a lot colder up here than we thought it was going to be. And the crew’s already sick of Grizzly Pizza. Here’s an idea: How about we pretend you get forced off the land in dramatic fashion and we go back to Ketchikan and show some whole new and exciting ways for you and your family to always be on the brink of death? We’ll get picked up for another season, and we can get someone blonder and perkier to play the part of Birdie. How’s about it?”
The Browns get a rickety old boat and live out of it for a few days while they travel back down the coast. Billy was a commercial fisherman for a long time, so he’s no stranger to the sea. The family sets anchor on an island in a national forest and establishes a temporary camp. The island is pretty. There’s lots of moss. I half expect them to discover the remnants of the Dharma Initiative.
“Meanwhile, a thousand miles away …” there’s this really jarring jump to an in-show commercial for Siberian Cut, the show that’s going to be in this time slot next week.
We’re given a little more backstory about Billy. He’s originally from Texas. His parents and his sister were killed in a plane crash, which must have been a horrible ordeal for him. How much that event influenced Billy’s decision to live in the Alaskan bush isn’t really clear.
Things on the island are kind of dull. “I’m bored. There’s nothing to shoot at. There’s nothing to do,” Bam says.
But wait! Rainy has a toothache. Normally, they’d just yank the tooth with pliers (or have Bam shoot it), but Rainy gets the privilege of actual medical treatment. Billy knows a dentist that will accept a barter, so they sail into town. The receptionist at the office is a little annoyed that they don’t have an appointment and that this child has a name like Merry Christmas Catherine Raindrop Brown. The dentist is accommodating, though, and accepts some fresh-caught salmon in trade.
Bear, Bam and Birdie go salmon fishing in a shallow river, using their “bear fishing” technique to grab the fish by hand and then have Bear punch them in the head. Bam is terrible at bear fishing. He should’ve brought his gun.
Billy catches a ride with a bush pilot to scout for a new place to live on Prince of Wales Island, where he knows this guy Animal Dave who lives on a floathouse. These things are actual homes floating offshore that are built from random parts of boats, trucks or whatever can be scrounged up. People live on them without dying, apparently. It is here that we take a solemn moment to memorialize “Insane” Duane. And then we meet Peckerhead, the seagull who is Animal Dave’s best friend. All of this appeals to Billy, and it sounds like the Browns’ next adventure will be building a floathouse. And then the Browns will be forced off of it by a jealous, vengeful Peckerhead.
So then things really go bad. The incident wasn’t caught on camera, but we’re told that Billy’s boat hit something, suffered hull damage and took on water. He was able to bring it to the dock and get the family to safety. We’re left with the image of the family standing on the dock with their boat and everything they own submerged at their feet. The family vows to press on.
How you feel about this depends on how you’ve bought into everything you’ve seen so far. You might be heartbroken for the Browns, a family who just lost everything and is at a crossroads. Or maybe you’ve just seen a harrowing cliffhanger written for the characters of the Alaskan Bush People docudrama. [UPDATE: FAKE FAKE FAKEY FAKE FAKE]
Obviously, a lot of the debate in the comments is about the show’s authenticity. Are the Browns for real? Are these situations real or are they contrived? Most of all, why does someone who truly desires to live off the grid in the Alaskan wilderness even want to be on a reality TV show in the first place?
And it is, after all, a TV show. The very fact that there’s a camera crew present alters the “reality” of the Browns’ every situation. It’s further manipulated by someone who has to edit this reality and create some kind of cohesive story for our entertainment. This and every “unscripted” TV show warrants some degree of skepticism, and I’ve had plenty throughout these recaps. Some of you have been able to simply enjoy the Browns as a family as they’re portrayed, invest in them emotionally, and admire if not embrace what they stand for. That’s fine. Again, it’s a TV show. Others doubt everything about the Browns, their lifestyle, their motives, their history, and the very idea that they’re even a family and not actors. That’s fine. Again, it’s a TV show. It’s that polarization of opinion about this show that has made it more fun to discuss than it is to actually watch. Either way, you’re watching it and you’re interested enough in it to come to here, so the Browns must be doing something right.
Photo: Credit: Discovery Channel
Love this show give us MORE MORE MORE!!
Are there going to be any more new episode of Alaskan Bush people. I do not to any more listing in the TV Guide app.
Oh and for those that don’t know, the Browns have a website–
http://www.alaskawildernessfamily.com
You’re welcome : )
I find the show interesting albeit somewhat confusing, but I really wonder why Discovery went to all the trouble to misrepresent the family? Why not just tell the story as it is, which seems unique enough, and interesting enough that viewers would watch!! I certainly would! But when I feel like I’ve been “played”…..well, that’s my signal to move on. I never thought that Discovery would play that game……..
Doesn’t make sense where community shows up to help finish their cabin then the community runs them off..
Pioneers defended their homes, whats with the “Browns”? They got a yellow streak down their backs ! This cant be real, must be contrived.What a load of s… !
This show started off very well, but then it took a quirky turn that made me feel lost. I had to wonder at one point why all those older boys are not already married for their ages. Why go so far north to rebuild your life? What are you running from? (really my question) If this was your land, then why did you run away from it, rather then shoot back to protect yourself, your family and your possessions? It seems as though this family is hiding or running from something or somebody. But then again, if I was running, I wouldnt subject myself or family to the whole world in a reality show. So who knows what this family is about. Never the less, they are the most interesting people I know, I just want to see what else fishy comes up in the end. *** Why cant someone go fly up to Alaska, find them, interview them, and really see what is happening?***
Just found your blog Ryan,
We watched the “shows” the past 2 episodes and haven’t stopped laughing yet. What kind of bone heads do they have running Discovery? Yikes!!!
everyone who lives in Alaska for over 5 years gets a check for over $500 + from oil and natural resources. So that’s $4500+ the Brown family receive every month. Seems like they do alot of insurance scams. House burns down, boat sinks insurance scams. Close NET family my only question is which brother is Banging the 18 old sister????
Fake or not, I liked the program if for nothing else the country is beautiful. I liked the people and the country. I can live without the cold, but love some of their ideas. Is there going to be more of the Browns or did Discovery just leave them on the dock?
Enjoyed the show about wilderness and family. It is/was a show, for entertainment. Many questions about $ and how they can live on what they say is no $. In my opinion, if my family were threatened with harm,
I would not leave, but prepare for the circumstances. Just sayin.
Something is very wrong here. Why was the first home burnt down? Did they own the land? Why did they go so far north at the beginning of winter ? Why does Mr. Brown keep making stupid decisions that end up failing? Why are they dressed like bikers in black leather? They need to call Mr. Walton, or Mr. Ingals to get some tips on how to truly survive in hard times and NOT run with you tail between your legs when confronted!!!
Yes Carmine, this show is total BS. and there are actually people that feel sorry for them and want to send them money. Wow….the truth is that they own and live for 3 months during the the summers in a beautiful large house in a valley with gorgeous mountains in the background. Mom Ami has a hot house (green house) right out of her kitchen door and also grows many herbs that she sells online. Billy has published several books and many children’s stories. They also have a lucrative online selling business. The family owns a commercial fishing boat where all the boys work as deck hands during the various fishing seasons, Billy is the captain and mom and the girls cook and help with the navigation on the see. As Alaskans they also receive oil subsidies, just like every Alaskan does. PLUS, the show pays them. Just go on their website and you will see that the girls have their own bedroom and several pets as well as the boys have their own room (when they’re home visiting).. I’m just speechless over how some folks actually want to send money to these people that have more money than any one of us have. For those that don’t care about all the phony stuff, the scenery is beautiful and the show filled the hour before Deadliest Catch came on.
What is the name on the web site ? I’d like to read it.
Some suspect things.
20 towns-people show up to help them build their home and suddenly the town doesn’t want them there anymore? Really? Did we miss something?
This self-sufficient family who never quits, stands together against all odds just suddenly decides to give up and leave because perhaps (taking the show at it’s word) one idiot has an issue with them?’
What happened with the shooting? Where the state troopers called?
They keep saying how they have “no money”, but they somehow are able to buy that boat? With what money?
And if they don’t have any money, what the hell is the Discovery Channel paying them with, a box of shiny beads?
Time to pull the plug on this crapshow.
these are bush people on their own land.. Dont you think they would shoot back.. i mean come on dont you think that if you come on their land shooting espically in the wilderness they would protect their family……FAKE… FAKE…FAKE…
don’t think discovery left them, think they were a hoax that didn’t completely pan out. My family got sucked in to and even if they came back we are done…….. Not anything like alaska the last frontier, at least that show is all on the up and up. Even when things get tough they stick it out, figure it out and move on to the next thing.
They obviously left their cabin for some unexciting reason. I suspect they were just too darn cold, thirsty, dirty and hungry. Those reasons are pretty lame, TV wise, so the cameraman, or mom, fired off a gun and drama! …and more importantly a TV worthy excuse was fabricated.
The show really insulted all of it’s viewers with that jarring debacle of a segue.
The shots fired were probably State Troopers trying to arrest the cameramen – who took off runnin. They and the Browns escaped to southern Alaska and just had enough time to film one more episode before the long arm of the law would catch them. Perhaps the Browns will reappear on an uncharted desert island or somewhere else equally obscure – mining jungle gold in Ghana?
What’s going on??? Is this 4real or what??? I enjoyed their antics but are they gonna fledge on or just quit things my mind is wondering??? So if so and if u know anything let us know soon??????
What the heck is wrong with this show?I feel like a fool.I told my family to watch and could not believe how nansty it ended????In the end Discovery left the family on the dock heads hanging???
What’s the deal with this show ? Are we to believe Discovery left them on the dock?
What’s the deal with this show ?