Anybody watch the 2 hour premier of this show last night (8/13/12)? This is the show that was getting hyped all through the Olympics. A bunch of quasi-celebrities at various stages of need for publicity pair up with special ops guys, train for missions, execute, and go through an elimination process, all for charity. It is hosted by Ret. Gen. Weasely Clarke, but thus far, his Leftist politics has not been a factor, as he's played the role of host/general right down the line. The premier, at least, was a celebration of military skill and training, and an affirmation of the dedication, and mental and physical toughness required.
Todd Palin is one of the "celebrities". He is listed as "Todd Palin: Four Time Iron Dog Champion".
The guy is a frikkin monster. His celebrity partner for the exercise damn near drowned, and was taken out of the competition by a rescue jet-ski. Palin finished the course alone (with the aid of two special-ops), and what was supposed to be a four-man operation was now a three-man operation.
The guy bellycrawled through the mud under barbed wire faster than the two special-ops guys. They were both in awe of that fact alone.
The next obstacle was going through knee-deep mud to lift a heavy ammo case and carry it back through the mud to a shed. It was supposed to be a team effort, but since Palin was through the wire first, he went on his own, hoisted the ammo case on his shoulder, and met his special ops teammates on the way back to the shed. His marksmanship was impeccable, even though he only learned to fire a full auto machine gun that day.
I think all the celebrities got some props. But it was clear by the end that Palin is a likable, serious, quiet, tough humble man of great means and inner and outer strength.
Looking forward to more episodes.