Do the Alaskan Bush People get paid? We asked! Read our interview with the Brown family.
AWESOME and EXXXTREME news: #AlaskanBushPeople are back for Season 3 on Nov. 11! https://t.co/csWIiiibrP pic.twitter.com/pVaPOVz4cS
— Ryan Berenz (@ChannelGuideRAB) October 22, 2015
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
NEW! Is Alaskan Bush People Fake? Does It Matter?
There were a lot of things about Discovery Channel’s unscripted series Alaskan Bush People that didn’t pass the smell test. Now there’s more foul air surrounding the Brown family, and it’s very likely we’ve seen the last of them on TV.
Commenter Talkeetnachris tipped us to this:
Billy brown was just charged with stealing over $13000 filing fraudulent PFD claims in Alaska. His near life will be in prison. A few other family members were also charged. This guy and his family are frauds. I have lived off the road system for years and these people won’t last a year. You have to be self sufficient. Hell, I even had to stitch a band cut on my leg once. Many of these shows only have entertainment value with no real practical lessons on what really living on your own is about.
Many commenters doubted that the Browns were actually living off the land, as the show depicted. Instead, it appears the Browns may have been living off of fraudulent Alaskan Permanent Fund Dividend applications. According to Anchorage’s KTUU, patriarch “Billy Brown alone faces 24 felony counts and is accused of illegally obtaining $13,080 in dividend cash for himself and others. The charges do not describe why investigators believe the Brown family was not eligible for the dividends that some members received between 2010 and 2013.” Also indicted were five of Billy’s seven children: Amora Jean Snowbird, Joshua “Bam Bam,” Gabriel “Gabe,” Solomon “Bear” and Noah.
This will come as disappointing news to the many fans of the show who appreciated the Browns’ family values and the off-the-grid lifestyle that they claimed to represent. The credibility of Discovery Channel and Park Slope Productions has to be questioned, as they apparently weren’t diligent about checking the Browns’ backgrounds (even before these indictments came to light) and then aired a special episode with the family defending their authenticity. And personally, recapping Alaskan Bush People has been great fun, and I’m going to miss writing about it and reading all of your comments.
I’m so mad, I could punch a fish.
Update: Get this. Discovery Channel says they are “currently filming new episodes.” From the Alaska Dispatch News:
Stair said that between October 2009 and August 2012, the family did not meet the “physical presence requirement” to receive PFDs. This means the state believes the family spent more than 180 days a year living outside of Alaska and lied about it on their applications, Stair said.
Sean Martin, director of communications at Discovery Channel, wrote in an email Thursday that “we don’t divulge our actual shoot dates, so cannot let you know when filming concluded on season one, but can confirm that we are currently filming new episodes, but have not announced those air dates yet.”
I don’t even…
love Alaska
I love the show. As far as doing something wrong Who is perfect? no one.I will continue to watch a great show
Just because the Brown’s appear to be good moral people, living off the land, one big happy family, does not make them any less criminal if they are found guilty. If they took $1 or $13,000 illegally from the state of Alaska, then they have consequences to face. The amount does not matter as much as the fraud. If anyone responding, on this board were to take money under false pretenses, they would be charged, spend time in jail, and have to reimburse the state for their theft. They should not be let off, just because they now have a popular television show.
I find the show amusing, don’t take it too seriously, but have no inclination to live their lifestyle.
Entertainment value is out of this world. No one can have as much bad luck as these people. Read one of the replies that said did you notice that big cabing they built carrying 3 boards at a time. How did they fund that? Who really believes that? Have you seen them walking around with a gun in the bear ridden island? I tend to watch for the out of the ordinary. They are not as ignorant as they seem. I can’t wait for the new program to begin.
I find it so funny that these people up north can crisis and run their mouth all they want but i dont see a show with them in it, some of the scenes where reinacting, so what? The show taught good things about family and love and sticking together to get through whatever life throws at u, as long as u have family u have everything, much better then the Kardashians if u ask me, people are so quick to judge of the dumbest of things like they keep the fat in their meat in one comment i read, really!?! Its their preference. If everyone in the world were the same this would be a boring world, i hope the brown family gets out of their troubles since we all make mistakes (just some of us dont have the whole world putting a microscope on us) and they come back for more shows. I felt like i got to know each one of the family memebers and would love to see them back, they are setting good examples and making a deference thats more then what half the people are doing ranting and complaining on this site, humanity is just ruined everyone is so quick to push ur face in the dirt after u have fallen instead of giving a helping hand up.
I say AMEN to that This family is a good family. They don’t smoke or drink alcohol, they don’t swear. We need more shows like that. All we see on TV now these days are nasty stuff. Swearing, shooting, raping ,cutting people up,stealing! And the news isn’t much better. Now we get this family show that is clean of all that and evil people are putting it down. Yes,oh yes people can and do make mistakes in life,But people,Good people always try to do good or correct their mistakes. I think The Browns are good people so don’t put them down . I’m sure that the people acting and saying awful things about the browns are not perfect!
I agree! But since it’s their first of-fence they should be made to pay back the money and go on probation for first of fenders
Falicia, (All us up north criticize and run our mouths) Maybe you shouldnt criticize REAL Alaskans for speaking up about the lies that are being spread by the Browns. If someone was lying about your family, community or way of life, would you not defend it? Yes you would! Everyone would! Just like i am right now! This show is a FAKE and the browns are liars. IF you know it is fake, but still like the show, I am fine with that. What i have a problem with are the lies by the browns, the disrespect to the locals and communities, and all the fans that believe that the browns can do no wrong, You hope they get out of their trouble? If someone stole thousands of your families money would you feel the same? The Money they stole belongs to the real residence of Alaska. And they lied on the PFD form 3 years in a row. It was not a mistake! Making a mistake you usually learn from, they did it once, saw they got away with it, and proceeded to do it 2 more times. And as for the whole world putting them under a microscope! This is what they wanted! They wanted the whole world to watch them. They knew what they were getting into when they did all this. Why feel sorry for them? They were the ones that lived in the lower 48 for over 3 years to promote his book and spin this show to DC. It was what they wanted. They steal, they lie, and yet you think they should not be in trouble. So you must believe that some people should be exempt from consequences? Well there is a wonderful idea to teach our children! You do NOT know them! not the real them, you only see the side, they want you to see. But guess what, Alaskans get to see the other side! So before you say we are RUNNING our MOUTHS!! you should do your research! and know who you defend, before you defend them. Heres some resources for you, Dispatch News, Ketchikan Daily News, Ak Recorders Office. And you can find photos and videos of them, before they ever made this show, wow untouched by society huh?
Oh and Amalia Jones, there is a picture of Matt smoking as he was leaving the lodge in Hoonah. You also might want to look up his DUI. Locals have seen them smoking and drinking at the bar, and cussing too. The most recent dock fight was proof of that! What a lovely family they are! they are the type of family that sticks together as they threaten to kill the locals, throw the first punch, and bring a gun to a fist fight!! but the locals handled it a lot better then i would have, they opted not to fight, and just picked them up and threw the 4 older boys off the dock and into the drink! It was quite humiliating for the Browns! Too bad DC didnt choose to film that. but i guess that would not have made the browns look too good. The sad part is, once again fans call the locals SAVAGES, and the whole community DRUNKS, when there was NO alcohol even involved. And not even giving consideration that the locals could have pressed charges, but agreed not too, and then this is how they are talked about?! The Browns are fakes and liars! and if, a true Alaskan, that chooses to say the truth make me EVIL then so be it, because your opinions are not our reality! And consequences should not be partial !!
Shameless self-promotion! I’m recapping Discovery Channel’s new “Sons of Winter,” which is actually kinda good. If you like what I do with ABP (or you don’t like what I do and just hate-read it), check out my recap of SoW here: https://www.staytunedmag.com/2015/04/29/discovery-channel-sons-of-winter-recap-rite-of-passage/
I really enjoy watching this show after doing 3 combat tours with the US Army and now retired. There is a sense of calm, family unity, peace, cohesion, love, trust and loyalty to the parents. Granted some of the children are a brick shy of a load, but their goofiness is so darn funny. If people have to complain about 13,000 dollars being abused, then I would say those people do not have a life or complain all the time. That’s chicken feed in show bizz today. I have watched them for the 3rd rerun now and each time their is something good about these folks.
If this is all that they could dig up on these good people then what’s all the hype about. I think they are great and I love their show. I do not care if all is not what it seems to be , its reality for gods sake. I hope their show will not ne canceled. People do what they have to do ..its no worse than what 80 percent of the U.S is doing everyday …..leave them alone….
Because it’s fraud you idiot. They committed FRAUD! As an Alasakn tax payer I hope they nail the whole family to the wall. They are nothing but white trash welfare recipients! I would think someone that was in the U.S. Military would have a sense of morals and justice but you are just like the rest of this messed up country “who cares that people are breaking the law, there are on the magic flicker box and I don’t want to think hard thoughts!”
Just bc someone is on tv doesnt effect everyones thoughts, these seems like good people to me, now if the Kardashians or kanya west or lindsey lohand were all getting charged with fraud, i would say burn their butt and throw them in jail and throw away the key, they are poisoning the world anyways with bad examples and bad influences on today youth, good people are hated for no reason what they ever do wrong to u.
WOULD YOU PEOPLE QUIT COMPLAINING!! MAYBE THE BUSH PEOPLE AREN’T REAL “LIVE OFF THE LAND” PEOPLE BUT SO WHAT? JUST USE YOUR IMAGINATION, SIT BACK, RELAX, AND ENJOY THE SHOW BECAUSE IT IS BETTER THAN 70% OF WHAT WE ARE GIVEN FROM OTHER SHOWS. THE SHOW IS MY FAVORITE ONE RIGHT AND I LOVE CHECKING OUT WHAT THE FAMILY IS GOING TO DO NEXT. I CAN HARDLY WAIT UNTIL IT COMES BACK ON THE AIR NEXT SEASON BECAUSE I’VE SEEN RE-RUNS OF EACH SHOW AT LEAST TWICE. GIVE THE FAMILY A BREAK AND QUIT FINDING FAULT!!!
“MAYBE THE BUSH PEOPLE AREN’T REAL “LIVE OFF THE LAND” PEOPLE BUT SO WHAT? JUST USE YOUR IMAGINATION.”
You’ve just inspired me to write the screenplay for “Alaskan Bush People in Outer Space.” Thank you!
I’m not from Alaska, from Maine, not quite Alaska but it sure gets cold up here. Anyway, this show a lot of the stuff they do just doesn’t make sense and it annoys me like nothing else, I hate the show but can’t stop watching cause typically I am like wtf! You can’t do that or that wouldn’t work that way or that isn’t how you hunt.. Keeps the cover on the scope, idiots! And the one where the dad is freaking cause it’s cold and theyell die if the fire goes out.. But next you see the son up in a tree waking up his sleeping bag covered in snow! Wtf! Makes zero sense!
Then what’s with that idiot, Noah? How does he seem to always have the item needed.. I mean seriously? idk what it is exactly but he he that face you just want to punch! It also seems the bush has a tattoo artist nearby, must be convenient! They also made me hate the term “lower 48” with a passion.
I know I need to chill, but these types of show just irritate the bajesus out of me! Lol. I’ll shush now, sorry for the rant.
Rant away, Shane. That’s what we’re here for.
Lol Shane…..another Mainer here…u couldnt have said it better..I want to scream as I watch it but continue watching it and wait for the next episode..lol..being from Maine and as cold and as boring as winters are..i couldn’t imagine an alaskan winter…thinking these long boring winters I need a new hobby lol enjoy everyone…..
just don’t cough in ur hand..cough in your arm germs spread so fast in ur hand cuzz u touch things..
I’m from northern Michigan…and I agree with you all. Cooking venison (ribs by the way, lol) which I guess if one was starving may happen…but not without removing all the tallow…And then one of the kids was talking about how the best part was the fat…seriously!!! I make my own venison sausage, loinjager and other smoked meats mixed with pork and can’t even muster up the ignorance to leave fat in that…it’s gross as all get-up. There are sooooo many things that that family does that says city-folk…If you go to their real webpage alaskanbushpeople.com you will see the family’s history before they landed a contract with Discovery Channel. Billy wrote over 60 books after retiring from commercial fishing. That show is an insult to us real outdoors-men. Jussayin
I find it amusing that you find that leaving the fat on the meat when you cook it and also the eating of the fats are not something that people do. I personally feel like this boneless and trim all the fat off the meats that you buy in the stores have no flavor except for what you put on it for seasonings. I and my son like to eat the fats off the meats we cook.
Also I like the show for entertainment and the Family values…kinda like a modern day Andy Griffith and or the Waltons show. I hope the series stays on for a long time. Watching reruns right now.
It’s also interesting to note that they are being prosecuted by Alaskan officials for not being full-time residents and still collecting the PFD.
So for the first time this week I watched and enjoyed the show. (except for Matt, he’s hard to watch.)……
Anyway, did anyone else notice they were building a cabin, with a deck and loft, and were transporting planks (not even the joists) from mainland supposedly 20-45mins each way, plus loading and unloading time, 3 planks at a time???!!!……..
Forgetting the fact that the roof lumber would have completely sank the makeshift raft they were using, at that rate, and with them needing hundreds of boards, it would have taken over a year to build that cabin.
I know and expect that they are funded and helped by the network, but they should be open and admit to (at least some) of the help. If the show is entertaining, people will watch anyway.
And they were using oversized, milled lumber…and tongue and groove flooring that costs about 5 times more that osb t&g sheeting. But after all, almost every reality show is fake anymore.
What is so hard to watch about Matt?? Everyone I talk to says he is the hottest one on the show.
I have never been deluded about this show, as some of the things that happened didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me, but in the over all of it I like the show. So some are getting brought up on fraud charges so what, there are people out here everyday that screw the government all the time. I don’t think people should do that, but the government screws us everyday of our lives in one way or another. Let them alone and do the shows !!! They are entertaining, and for sure better that looking at BARE BODIES in a jungle or People having sex on a reality show WOW what a bummer that is. None of these reality shows are real to start with, all are set ups. I guess some of you out there believe they are factual? LOL What a Joke and it is on you !!!
Just put it back on and I’ll watch it !!!
My husband and I have been glued to our television every night that they are on. We were especially glad to see them finish the cabin on their “bear infested” land. Now we are waiting for episodes after “The Alaskan Bush People – Revisited”. We are waiting for scenes of their lives after the cabin was finished. Actually living in the cabin, getting it furnished, watching how they insulated the cabin, fixed the roof, and heated the cabin, etc. Did they build their beds/furniture? I see they have a webpage – do they really have internet access? How did they accomplish that? We want to know everything. Please, please continue.
3rd try someone don’t want me to be heard good show don’t stop no matter what remember family first
Ami and Billy got it right. They exemplify the meaning of “family”. Todays society as a whole can take a page from the Brown’s book of survival. They have made firewood and toothpicks of so many trees that have fallen on them, and quite frankly, faced with the adversity that has been shared, I’m not certain that I would not have given up sooner. Thanks to the Discovery Channel, and Thanks to the Browns for sharing their incredible lives. I look forward to the next installment with baited breath.
The increased tourism and basic interest this family has generated in the state of Alaska should more than cover the alleged overpayment/fraud of $13,080. Someone is bearing a grudge against them, or the success of this tv show that didn’t select them to be it’s star. The anonymous tip should be enough to prove it’s with prejudice. Seems Alaska will forever be “looking at Russia from our front porches” rather than being an exciting, adventure filled, freedom state in the U.S. Bad form Alaska, now all I smell is rotted fish.
I think you’re on to something. Laws shouldn’t apply to people who increase tourism and basic interest.
Are kidding?!! The Browns have NOT done anything to help any community they have been in! where are you from? because it is obviously is NOT from Alaska, which is where i am from! Hoonah Ak has sustained itself for all these years just fine without the Browns. Then someone like you comes along and gives credit to a bunch of idiot actors that haven’t told the truth from the very beginning. Don’t you dare give them credit for stuff they have nothing to do with! Oh and you want throw Russia in our face? well just remember who to give Thanks to, when your driving your car around! Ya that’s right, ALASKA!!
I LOVE the Brown Family!They are doing & Living the life that 99 percent of us haven’t the guts for.I so look forward to watching future episodes.Is there any way Fan Mail can be sent to them?
The life style may be exciting but appears unfair to the children, they had no choice. Is it legal.
I believe the family is real…if not, their damn good actors, the best ever in history…in every episode shown of them, they have stayed true to character, accents and persona’s. What people would spend their whole lives in the woods only on a mere chance some 15-30 years later, TV would go towards the unknown field ….of reality-TV and then, that they might…just might in a zillion to one shot get on TV and make some money…??? Really…you think these people are fake? I think the negative people with a negative attitude on this site are fakes. I would love a chance to go in person to live with these people for one month and tough it out, as they have for their whole lives just to prove to you all they are the real deal. Use a bit more logic and common sense when commenting people, your only making yourselves look like idiots on here.
Dude no offense, but if you seriously believe this show to be the “real deal” I have a wonderful bridge to sell you. I saw an article where the Mom has said something like the girls have their own bedrooms and live like normal girls.
You need to look into their webpage and business that they had before they got a contract with Discovery…You should try living with them for a month…I heard that they only spend a few of them in Alaska (according to Alaskan gov’t.). Your the type of person that gives FAKE “reality tv” popularity…If you believe the show is real, I got some swampland in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to sell you…you could try the whole experience out for yourself………………..sorry bud, I didn’t mean to be rude, but study up on them and do some investigating and you will Discover the truth.
I dont understand why people lime u have to be mean to someone bc they enjoy something and they believe in something, whats it to you, why u gotta go outta ur way to say something negative to someone. Its not like they even asked for ur opinion. They let u speak ur piece without being rude to u so why dont u have the same respect.
Very well said! I also think that this family is the real deal! I have come in contact with one of their friends who is trying to arrange for my husband and I to meet them when we go to Hoonah, AK in September of this year. People should learn to keep their negative opinions to themselves and just let this family be!
Its interesting that you say, WE should keep our negative opinions to ourselves, but yet, you are allowed to give your opinion. Is that right?! hypocritical of you!! You have no idea that the negative opinions are not opinions, but fact, mostly coming from outraged Alaskans!!! This show is suppose to be representing, my people, my communities, my State, and OUR way of life! Why should i remain silent just because you do not want to hear the truth. If someone was spreading lies about your family and your way of life on TV, would you not say something???!! Of course you would! The browns are fakes and liars!
Just because you believe something to be real, does not make it real. Many people in Alaska live in the bush, it is not uncommon here. I see you give your opinion without even doing any research, on this show or the Brown family. You know, the kind of research that is NOT provided by Discovery themselves, but from multiple resources, like, from real Alaskans, news papers, witnesses, and legal documents. Have you even tried to find out why, or where the negative attitudes are coming from?? You say, use logic and common sense, and that we make ourselves look like idiots. LOL Well, Michael, I do not know where you are from, but i am from ALASKA! Your opinion is not my reality! Thought you should know, that DC did not find them in the bush, but it was the browns that went to DC. They were in the lower 48 for over 3 years. before coming back up here, to make the movie. Hence the Fraud Charges for lying on the PFD form, for 3 years in a row. You also might want to look into those resources i told you about. Ak Recorders Office will show that they owned property for many years outside Haines, Though they were a ways out the road they were not in the deep bush like the they claim. They lived in the Mosquito lake area, which has road access all over, electric, and many other people. Oh and a really good restaurant, right in the middle of the area. The 33 Mile Roadhouse, great burgers they make too, i have eaten there a lot. When i was married to my first husband. You can look it up. They did not sink the boat on a log, that too was another lie. They sunk it when Billy hit the Breakwater coming in to the harbor. You can look that up with the Ketchikan Daily News- sinking of the Opal Oct. 15, it will have a black and white photo of the boat. Oh and another lie is when the locals of Chitina shot a gun at the browns, chasing them off. Ya that never happened either, It was never reported to the State Troopers! but what was reported to the Troopers was, the neighbor shooting off fireworks at the DC chopper. Mr Hogan was fined 500 dollars for that. Because of that lie, Chitina locals received hate posts and even death threats, from angry fans! You can read about the fake shooting in the Alaska Dispatch News- digging for the reality behind ABP claims of gunfire. Dispatch News has many articles about the ABP, and even more about all the shows DC is filming in Ak. Theres even one about the DC Crew from Gold Rush disrespecting Haines locals. You have no Idea what is really going on here in Alaska. While your at it you can look up Matts DUI. There are pictures and even videos of this family, not living in the bush, by locals! Even a video of Billy practicing, docking his boat. Why would a commercial fisherman need to practice docking his own boat, when he has been a commercial fisherman for 30 years? Witnesses report he practiced for weeks!! Its a funny video too, he comes in head on, with his bow pointing straight at the dock! then just bobs there for awhile until someone on the dock finally pulls his stern in, manually! What a fool, they give themselves away every time they open their mouth or do something, like bartering salmon for dental. you can read Ak Dispatch News– Ak fishing regulations are nuanced: careful where you get your advice. Well thats enough for now, i do not want to overwhelm you, seeing how you did not do any of this research before now. and next time you give your opinion, you might want to think about who your calling an Idiot, because the majority of us Alaskans are not in support of the browns, the show, or the lies. And we will not stop speaking the truth just because you do not like what you hear.
Becky is my hero! I’ve been looking all over for this!
I too am looking forward to see the other half of the Browns finishing their new dream home. Love this family also.Watch it every week even if it is
a repeat. This family has a lot of fans, they’ll be back so not to worry.
I look forward to watching them every week. I love them all. I hope they are back on TV again soon.