Local reports often claimed the family stayed in hotels or local rentals during filming rather than the "shacks" seen on screen.

While popular, the show faced significant "scripting" allegations:

The family "inventor" who created gadgets from scrap metal.

The family faced legal issues regarding their Alaskan residency and permanent fund dividend (PFD) applications. The Great Transition (Seasons 8–10)

Early seasons focused on building "Browntown" from scratch.