M*U*S*H on PBS in Alaska This Week

There are a few people I count as “honorary Alaskans.” You know the type. They come for a visit and fall in love with the mountains, the ocean, the seafood, the wildness, and most of all the people. The unpretentious, just-a-little-different breed that decides they’d like to do things their own way.  They’re a hardy lot who doesn’t much care for how they do things “Outside.” They’re sort of Libertarian/Conservative/Socialists who think you should teach a man to fish, but for the most part would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it. Many have come to Alaska to be with other people who came to Alaska to get away from people. There’s no defining them. Not many other states have spawned a dozen reality shows, and there’s a reason for that.

And nowhere can you find a more fascinating cast of characters that at the Iditarod sled dog race, known as The Last Great Race on Earth. That brings me to one of my favorite honorary Alaskans, Alex Stein. He’s been a Mudflatter for as many years as there’s been a Mudflats, and takes every opportunity he can get to return to the Great Land. On one of those trips, he decided to make a film about the Iditarod. And then he did. The product is a delightful, inspiring, and often funny romp through the snow with a bunch of dogs and their people.

And luckily for Alaskans it will be running on PBS this week, just in time for the Iditarod which holds its ceremonial start in Anchorage on Saturday. Here’s a sneak peek of the movie!

MUSH 45-second trailer from Alex Stein on Vimeo.

The first showings are Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 10pm, with other broadcasts throughout the month of March. You’ll even get to meet the man behind the camera who agreed to sit in front of one for an interview.

Pop some corn, snuggle up with your favorite four-legged (or two-legged) friend, and enjoy!

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