DWTS Future Jeopardized by "Operation Bristol"

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 12:54:48 PM EST
Tags: Bristol Palin, DWTS (all tags)

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I'm not the only one who thinks politics has run Dancing With the Stars into the ground. According to Popeater, AOL's online entertainment news site, Dancing With the Stars producers and ABC and other TV insiders believe the show will be permanently ruined if Bristol Palin wins, and they fear she might, due to her mother's fan base and campaigning. Insiders give three reasons:

It will go from being a dancing competition to a popularity competition where whoever has the most rabid fan base will always win no matter how little talent they have."

"[A]fter Bristol wins no one in Hollywood will ever want to be on the show again," a well-placed ABC source tells me. "Why would a real star want to compete and lose against someone like [former U.S. Senate candidate] Christine O'Donnell or Levi Johnston. It's humiliating. The producers know they are in big trouble for sure."

"A friend of one of the judges [says] Bristol has made a fool out of all of them. It's now painfully obvious that the judge's scores and opinions mean nothing."

Here's how the voting is supposed to work: [More...]

What is the show doing wrong, and how can they fix it for the finals?

Lines open at the beginning of each show for viewers to phone and text vote for their favorite couples and stay open for 30 minutes after the end. The whole country can vote.

First off, they can do what American Idol and other shows do: Open voting when the show ends in each time zone. People voting before the dancers have gone on the air are not voting for the dancing, but their favorite person. It's meaningless to say this show is about dancing when everyone can vote before they've seen all of the night's dances to compare them. No one should be allowed to vote before the show is over.

Second, all voting should end 30 minutes after the show airs in the each time zone. Now, online voting stays open until 11 a.m. the next day.

Phone and text lines will stay open for 30 minutes after the end of the show. Online voting will remain open until 11am (Eastern Time) the next day.

It also makes this representation by ABC in the same rule document false:

Viewers can vote via phone, text message or online for their favorites ONLY on the night they perform.

Third, ABC should accept online votes only from confirmed e-mail addresses and limit the number of votes that will be accepted from the same email and/or IP address. Phone votes should also be limited.

Sarah Palin and her followers are using Facebook and Twitter to campaign for Bristol:

Sarah is determined make Bristol the winner of the show. Whatever it takes," an insider tells me. "She's become obsessed with it, as if it were the election all over again, except this time a Palin will be the winner.

...Just a few days ago, Sarah reminded her 295,942 Twitter followers what a great girl Bristol is. "From youth football team, shop class & commercial fishing to Final 5 on Dancing W T Stars, we're proud of Bristol's courage, grace & diversity!"

..."Palin supporter Tammy Bruce tweeted, "Operation Bristol waltzes in tonight! As #DWTS starts vote at abc.go.com Tweeps pls tweet phone info, will RT."

Tammy Bruce's “Operation Bristol” has been picked up and posted by Sarah Palin fan sites like Conservatives4Palin and us4Palin.

There's a chance Operation Bristol will backfire on Sarah Palin. And if you need a recap of why Bristol is the most unqualified finalist in the show's history, try this from Chicago Now:

[S]he is entirely uncoordinated, she refuses to listen to the judges' advice, she doesn't actually move any part of her body other than her head and feet during her routines and to top it off she even lacks that sympathy factor that has previously kept terrible performers from being sent packing.

From another conservative activist Operation Bristol site:

You can start calling the moment the show starts…and you can call as many times as the phone will let you. After that, use someone else’s phone to call the maximum times on that. Then — and I am not telling you to do this — it would not be a bad thing to randomly knock on neighbors’ doors and use their phones and call, call, call, and then call some more. Then vote like nuts online with all of your email addresses.

If you haven’t heard, the fact we’ve been all doing this for Bristol has been driving the Left NUTS. People magazine, Huffington Post, and other Lefty sites have all been going bonkers over the fact that Palin supporters have been burning up the phones to keep Bristol in the competition through the finale…despite the judges giving her shockingly low scores to try to eliminate her.

...For conservatives, enjoy the fun of finally, at last, getting a taste of what it’s like to be a Democrat. You can vote as much as you want. You can vote using all sorts of names. You can vote all day. You can’t get paid to vote, because you aren’t really a Democrat, silly, but you can get as close as you can possibly get without being in a union or taking part in ACORN.

Via the Washington Post, from the comments thread there:

"Here's a hint: They don't have to be VALID email addresses to register them with ABC.com, there is apparently no validation process," said one commenter. "They just have to be formatted like a valid email address, and you must use a valid zip code and a birthdate that makes you old enough to vote. No, it doesn't have to be a valid email address - I had one of my anonymous ones XXX@yahoo.com that I used, and then just did the sign-up process all over again with XXX1@yahoo.com and it worked."

"Lord have mercy, I voted for 3 hours online! I got 300 in," said another commenter.

More of the cheater comments here.

At least some people are fighting back. Facebook has a group, Operation Vote Off Bristol.

"Operation Bristol"? How about Operation "Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner"?

Jennifer Grey & Derek Hough
800-868-3411 (800-VOTE4-11)
Text (AT&T only) 3411 (text the word vote)

Kyle Massey & Lacey Schwimmer
800-868-3403 (800-VOTE4-03)
Text (AT&T only) 3403 (text the word vote)

The winner of DWTS shouldn't be the contestant who went from log to broom. It should be the best dancer. The show has already been damaged by allowing conservatives to gin the system and get Bristol to the semi-finals. If ABC doesn't put voting checks in place for the finals, it deserves to go down.

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DWTS Future Jeopardized by "Operation Bristol" | 81 comments (81 topical)

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Unrest on NPR's "All Things Considered" (5.00 / 2) (#1)
by oculus on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 01:06:11 PM EST

re the program's coverage of DWTS/Bristol Palin. Some listeners point out the name of the NPR program is ALL Things Considered.

thanks, but please keep this thead (none / 0) (#2)
by Jeralyn on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 01:13:17 PM EST

on topic, which is Bristol Palin and DWTS.


oculus's comment is spot on topic (5.00 / 1) (#60)
by NealB on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 11:14:24 PM EST

This topic is ridiculous.


: Then don't read the post (5.00 / 1) (#64)
by shoephone on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 11:36:38 PM EST

My gosh, does every single post on this site have to meet the standards of every reader? Quite honestly, I don't care one whit about the weekly college football threads, but apparently, others do and so they comment. No skin off my back. If I don't care about football, I skip the post and move on to something else. If I don't care about any of the posts on a given day, I read another site or--god forbid!--go do something else besides sit on the internet all day.
I really have to wonder about people who whine that they're not being sufficiently catered to by a blog.

What next? Sarah Palin going to a desert island (5.00 / 0) (#8)
by steviez314 on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 02:48:39 PM EST

for Survivor?

Hmmmm....I like it!

: Don't give anyone any ideas. (none / 0) (#66)
by scribe on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 07:49:35 AM EST

The one-way ticket seems appealing....

a reality show (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by Left of the Left on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 03:12:06 PM EST

where its a popularity contest? What has this country come to.

Exactly (5.00 / 2) (#28)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 06:44:10 PM EST

I can't think of a single one that isn't a popularity contest. The Bristol rage is utterly out of proportion.


unfortunately, it is not (5.00 / 2) (#34)
by Jeralyn on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 07:11:50 PM EST

Her mother is contemplating a run for President, in case you haven't heard. Anything that elevates her in the national consciousness will push her to believing she can win and make it more likely she will run.

Tomorrow's New York Times:

bq. "I am," Sarah Palin told me the next day when I asked her if she was already weighing a run for president. "I'm engaged in the internal deliberations candidly, and having that discussion with my family...

She's a catastrophe and one who has resonated with a large number of hard-core extremists. You ignore her and her family at your peril.


: I find it frightening that (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by nycstray on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 07:39:53 PM EST

Mother/daughter reality show stints are being used as a run up for running for president . . . {head desk}

: You have finally convinced me (none / 0) (#51)
by ruffian on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 08:50:33 PM EST

She is a lot more disturbed than I thought 2 years ago.

: bristol on dwts (none / 0) (#56)
by Left of the Left on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 10:54:33 PM EST

is irrelevant and meaningless in the grand scheme of 2012. If you dont want her family in the limelight then helping to spotlight this nontroversy is the wrong way to go.
If the left didn't continue touting her supposed status as some Republican leader she wouldn't be where she is now. Why oh why cant we just forget about Sarah Palin.
You'd think she was the devil.

I can't put her down for that (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by BarnBabe on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 03:45:07 PM EST

Unfortunately it is her claim to fame. What I can't stand is what they use as her celebrity status: Teen Advocate. Once again, whether from her or other high profile 'values' people, it is do as I say and not as I do or did. She seems like a nice girl but what kind of parent puts their child in the spotlight because of their own ambition and allows them to be ridiculed in the public eye. And Sarah is trying to manipulate the system. In stead of 3 worthy competitors (and as good as Kyle has been, the other really good dancer (Can't remember her name) was eliminated a while back. Carrie Ann said at the time, this is not right. But Carrie Ann also said to Bristol, you have great legs. Gulp. From that moment on, it was a keep on complimenting by the judges. Don't hurt her feelings. Jeez, Bruno was sure cruel to Michael Bolton. Why the difference? Florence Henderson was better. But, I wrote my protest to ABC last week and a few of my friends did too. We were so stunned at the outcome. Well, we know what we have to do now. VOTE. Choose one and give all your votes to Jennifer or Kyle. I like Jennifer. She is a survivor and deserves this years title. But Brandy was a most worthy competitor also.

: Audrina is the other lady that was so good. (none / 0) (#13)
by Angel on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 03:50:45 PM EST

And agree with your comment about the 'values' people. Hypocrites.

Too bad the Olympics (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by observed on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 04:28:52 PM EST

aren't more like this---I know I'd be more likely to watch.

: The Olympics were much more fun when we (5.00 / 1) (#19)
by steviez314 on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 04:45:58 PM EST

hated the USSR; when the commies played the countries they invaded in water polo, when Tonya hated Nancy, etc.
Now it's all kumbaya.

It might kill a reality show? (5.00 / 3) (#22)
by Jen M on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 05:44:10 PM EST

where do I sign up?

DWTS has a Bristol Palin every season (5.00 / 1) (#44)
by Inspector Gadget on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 08:19:06 PM EST

there's always an uproar over one contestant who doesn't deserve to be there for lack of pure celebrity standing, inability to dance, or called a ringer. Read the boards on the site and every season there is a non-stop threat that thousands will never watch again if so-and-so wins.

The show is nearing the end of its life as it is. This season seems to have lots and lots of tweens voting for the underdog of talent. What's the big deal? There's no future in dance for the winner. It's strictly entertainment. I happen to think The Situation was not a Star, or Kyle Massey (I still don't know who he is off the show). I also don't think Kyle deserved to reach the Finals on talent in dance. Audrina Partridge? Who is she? She probably would have gotten to the finals for talent in dance if she had a fan base.


None of the no-talents have (none / 0) (#55)
by Jeralyn on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 10:37:19 PM EST

made it to the final three. They get weeded out before then.

The show is in its prime -- highest ratings ever, 20 million viewers. It's been so popular that a spinoff, Skating With the Stars, is starting Monday night right after the final DWTS performances.

It's not a "tween show" like American Idol. Nor is it tweens who are hacking the vote. Follow the links I gave to the conservative political websites. They not only admit it, but brag about it.

Despite the public denials by ABC brass, the show's staffers are saying the voting system is flawed and they will revamp it, giving more power to the judges.

"Not only was everyone stunned that Bristol [Palin] will be in the finals," the staffer said, "it just made everyone realize the voting system really needs to be changed. This is going to lead to a reworking of the entire voting system.
"There definitely will be a restructuring to give the judges' votes more weight. ... It's tricky, because like `American Idol,' the strength of `Dancing With the Stars' popularity is the fact people know they can have an impact. We don't want to lose that because that could have a detrimental effect on ratings, but this is getting nuts."

: No one could possibly have foreseen (5.00 / 1) (#67)
by scribe on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 07:57:00 AM EST

anything like this ever happening.
The thing is, this isn't the first time ABC/Disney and its brass have been out in front of pushing some REthug.
Remember that Clinton-bashing and lie-filled "Road to 9/11" movie run on ABC (pre-2006 election, IIRC) despite huge numbers of protests over its rampant inaccuracy and defamatory nature?
Remember indicted felon Tom Delay on DWTS?
For the older among us, remember Ronald Reagan helping his friend Walt Disney, hosting the televised opening of Disneyland?
I don't watch DWTS - I hardly watch network anything other than football or baseball (and Sunday afternoon hockey after the turn of the year), so it doesn't matter that much to me. But this is wholly unsurprising.
Plus, it shows us three more things. First, Republicans are making this into practice at stuffing ballot boxes and having fun at it. Second, computerized voting systems are inherently hackable and unsecure. Third, Sarah Palin will gleefully do this, and anything, to win.

: Skating with the Stars is the rebirth (5.00 / 1) (#68)
by Inspector Gadget on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 09:11:51 AM EST

of Skating with the Celebrities. It lasted one season. I expect this one will have a similar life-span.
Dancing with the Stars has little to no competition on Monday nights, and the pro dancers have become more famous than the stars they dance with. If the show survives another couple of years, and Willow is a contestant in 2012 I'll buy the idea that Bristol's involvement is strictly political.
Last I read, getting celebrities to agree to participate is quite difficult. So, they end up with a Tom Delay on occasion. I didn't start watching that season until after he left the lineup.

Really? (5.00 / 5) (#27)
by Anne on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 06:37:47 PM EST

Maybe it's just me, but I continue to be somewhat taken aback by the level of angst and anger about a TV show, as if somehow this is real life, and it actually matters.

I get that it's supposed to be an escape from the more pressing and depressing issues in our own lives, but when it gets to the point where people are gnashing their teeth over it, it's no longer an escape, and it sure isn't fun.

And, in all honesty, and meaning no disrespect, when juxtaposed against some of TL's excellent legal and political posts, and against the real and crushing injustices that are being experienced by so many people, the whole thing about whether DWTS survives, or whether Bristol does or doesn't win, or whose fault it will be if she does - or doesn't - it's just so unbelievably shallow as to be kind of embarrassing.

And on that note, since it isn't an issue that matters to me, I won't comment about it again.

The thing is, it's Jeralyn's blog. (5.00 / 3) (#31)
by oculus on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 06:50:13 PM EST

She may choose to write about whatever she likes.


I was aware of that when I made (5.00 / 2) (#38)
by Anne on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 07:41:08 PM EST

my comment, but thanks.

I could get worked up about the whole thing if I thought for one minute that the majority of people who are voting for Bristol treat voting in local, state or national elections in the same life-or-death way they do calling and texting their votes for a contestant on a reality show.

Wait til most of them find out that not only do you have to be 18 to vote in a real election - but you have to actually register to do it AND you can only cast one vote for the candidate of choice.

The idea that DWTS will drive a Palin for President tsunami is just too silly for words.


So, your previous comment was (none / 0) (#42)
by oculus on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 08:04:12 PM EST

"unworked-up"? (Smiley face.)


Yeah, it really kind of was... (5.00 / 1) (#54)
by Anne on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 10:02:17 PM EST

un-worked up, that is...

I understand that some people take Sarah Palin seriously, but I guess I see her as being a political "log to broom," with millions of people voting for her even though she had no business on a presidential ticket.

Sarah lost her election, and Bristol will lose hers. If Sarah is using Bristol to keep the spotlight on her, then all this hysteria is giving her exactly what she wants. Sarah Palin is an attention-wh0re to the nth degree - and you don't make people like that go away by paying attention to them - you do it by ignoring them.

Yes, it's frightening that there are people who think Sarah Palin would make a good president, but I don't think DWTS is going to one day be known as the show that put Sarah Palin over the top.


: I agree with this part of your comment: (none / 0) (#57)
by oculus on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 10:57:02 PM EST

and you don't make people like that go away by paying attention to them - you do it by ignoring them.
Unfortunately, so few people seem to be able to ignore her.

Gaming The System (5.00 / 1) (#61)
by norris morris on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 11:16:11 PM EST

It's important because political pressure is running an entertainment show that pretends to listen to the voting and the judges ratings.

This will start a slide in a show that will be seen as rigged. Vulgar, yes, but it has been seen as basically honest until Palin started running the show.


I'm glad (5.00 / 3) (#29)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 06:47:29 PM EST

we're in a state in America where our problems are so small that we care about whether or not Bristol "ruins" a light, brain-candy TV show.

She isn't going to ruin the show. She's boosted ratings. I'm sure ABC is crying all the way to the bank.

Just don't watch. Easy as pie.

: Are Problems Aren't Small But (5.00 / 0) (#62)
by norris morris on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 11:23:54 PM EST

it does matter that political pressure from any side has no place in an entertainment show based [supposedly] on merit.
No one really cares about Bristol or for that matter who wins, but as she is clearly a chubby clunk who can't dance her popularity reeks of political pressure from hysterical Sarah's ego to control her image at any cost. ABC loves the PR and ethics are out.

I'm going (5.00 / 3) (#30)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 06:48:37 PM EST

to be real honest here: If DWTS went off the air tomorrow I would not shed one tear.

Reality television (5.00 / 0) (#69)
by Jjc2008 on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 09:23:18 AM EST

is, IMO, a result of politics of the right. A few may remember the precautionary scifi show, Max Headroom, from the late 80s. It was a about a society where a television station was, for all practical purposes, running the government. All television was reality television. The show's premise...20 minutes into the future.
Reality television is just another way to break unions. Cheap, loosely put together without "real scripts", thus no union writers....and regular people in desperate need of 15 minutes of fame, instead of those damned union actors.
Anyway, DWTS, was the only reality television I watched because, quite frankly, I love dancing, love to dance, to watch dancers. I was probably the only person in the country who despised and would not watch American Idol and found nothing entertaining about Simon Cowell (saw enough clips to know the premise...sorry, but to me adolescent rudeness is never acceptable....and yet it had become the theme of reality tv).
It was bad enough, for me, when they had that prick Tucker Carlson on it. But when they invited Tom Delay to be on, that was it. Have not watched since. The notion that the Palins (using reality tv) now dominate the press from their need to extend their 15 minutes of fame, thanks to a**hat McCain, nauseates me. Producers and station owners are all about the money. GREED wins again. No thanks.

Your comment is disgusting. (5.00 / 1) (#71)
by ghost2 on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 10:30:59 AM EST

Really.

So, if she got married at 18, she would have been a better person?

Or, if she slept with whoever came along, but didn't get pregnant, she would have been a better person?

Or, if she exercised her choice in the only way you approve of (that is, had an abortion), she would have been a better person?

As a liberal, I fiercely defend personal choices. But many people who think themselves liberal make me want to vomit. They are so full of prejudice against everyone else, and patronizing to those they think they support. Their whole political philosophy can be summarized in one sentence: "I know better".

: that comment has been deleted (none / 0) (#75)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 12:57:49 PM EST

There's no need for those kind of personal attacks.

Jeralyn (none / 0) (#3)
by cpa1 on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 01:16:41 PM EST

I hope Bristol wins. She's a klutz and she lowers the value of the entity that is the show, the same way her mother and the Tea Party diminishes our country. It should be a wake up call. Let the jerks who never get off their asses for the sake of citizenship see what these Republican jerks are capable of doing. It's time!

As far as the DWTS judges, two of them gave Bristol a "9" for an absolutely awful waltz where she was dragged across the floor like an elephant by the professional. That was one less point than Jennifer Gray got for an absolutely beautiful waltz. Bristol should have gotten no more than 5s and 6s. The judges need to take some of the blame for this.

Also, the judges should be able to overrule the vote if the vote has no connection with a contestant's ability to dance.

Yes, I will be praying for Bristol but for very different reasons. Jennifer Gray reminds many of us guys (or gals) of at least one women who we've been out with or had a crush on and Kyle Massey is adorable and very capable as a dancer, especially for his young age. He's not as good as Jennifer but if he won it wouldn't be disqualifying for the entire show. Bristol is horrible!

Contrarians weight in! (5.00 / 0) (#6)
by oldpro on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 01:37:38 PM EST

Whoever decided it would be a good idea to put her on the show will now pay the price...and rightly so.

Pathetic at best. If a Palin-win result would finish off our celebrity culture madness once and for all, I'd call myself!


agree about the judges (none / 0) (#4)
by Jeralyn on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 01:25:24 PM EST

Carrie Ann was the worst offender. They acted like her protectors instead of judges for too many weeks and it got out of hand.

I hope Len resigns from the show in protest if SP's supporters are allowed to steal the crown for Bristol. He can't be happy about this, he's a puritan when it comes to dancing and I can't imagine he'd want to be associated with the show if dancing talent becomes irrelevant to the outcome.


Well, I'd love to see Jennifer Grey win but the (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by Angel on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 01:33:29 PM EST

judges, Len included, propped Bristol up from the beginning. If they had given her the 4's or 5's that she deserved we wouldn't be having this discussion today. She would have been gone by week three at the latest. The judges, in conjunction with the faulty voting system, ruined the season. Brandy should be in the finals along with Jennifer and Kyle.


Yes but (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by cpa1 on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 02:26:36 PM EST

Len gave Bristol a 9 and so did Bruno for the klutzy waltz. Carrie Ann gave her an 8. I don't know what they were thinking. It was more like a Tractor Pull than a dance.


: Ratings. (none / 0) (#17)
by inclusiveheart on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 04:38:10 PM EST

That's what they were thinking.

I expect that they were told (none / 0) (#16)
by inclusiveheart on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 04:36:46 PM EST

to protect her because she brings in viewership that people like Florence Henderson, for instance, can't deliver anymore.

Anyway, I am not sure why everyone is so upset. This isn't a dancing competition, it is dancing with the stars. Stars who are range between curiosities once hugely popular and famous to a lot of also-rans - and now the child of an also-ran.


I don't consider Bristol to be a "star." (none / 0) (#18)
by Angel on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 04:41:51 PM EST

"Dancing With The Stars" is the title of the show.

She was known as an unwed teen mother before the show, that's it. Her claim to fame, if you will. What has she done other than become famous for being the unwed teen daughter of a politician?


exactly, she's no star (5.00 / 2) (#32)
by Jeralyn on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 06:52:39 PM EST

no celebrity and has no accomplishments. That's why I've been saying for months she had not business being cast in a show called "Dancing With the Stars."

Her mother initially propelled her to notoriety, and Bristol became a very willing participant. Now they feed off each other. Both of these non-distinguished, unaccomplished women, neither of whom is qualified at their chosen path, politics and show business, have risen in name-recognition to a status they don't deserve.


Who made her a star? (none / 0) (#43)
by Inspector Gadget on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 08:11:48 PM EST

It sure wasn't the right. Only publicity she gets is negative.


I think her whole family became "stars" (5.00 / 1) (#45)
by oculus on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 08:22:05 PM EST

ub the sense of celebrities when they all walked on stage with John McCain the first time. TV cameras were trained on them throughout the evening.


Oh come on. Joe Biden's entire clan (5.00 / 1) (#46)
by Inspector Gadget on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 08:25:45 PM EST

went on stage with Obama - children, grandchildren, and all. They don't get to be called stars.


: Media madness. Will Levi show up? (none / 0) (#50)
by oculus on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 08:43:26 PM EST

Will he marry Bristol? Look at cute Piper Palin applying her spit to her little brother's hair.

Well, you are in the minority. (none / 0) (#20)
by inclusiveheart on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 04:46:39 PM EST

Her mother is famous - the father of her child is famous - and she is a famous kid.

She was invited to be one of the "stars" on the show - not one of the no name pro dancers - who really should be the stars - were it an actual dance competition.

The girls is awful. Everything about her is wrong for this medium. But she's still on the show; and was invited to participate.


What statistics do you have to prove that I'm in (none / 0) (#21)
by Angel on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 04:51:24 PM EST

the minority? None of my friends think she's a star!


She's famous - or rather (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by inclusiveheart on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 05:55:22 PM EST

infamous because of her mother's bid for the Vice Presidency.

In an odd way, she is probably a bigger "name" than Lady Ga Ga is at this point in her career because of the cross section of generations and cultures that the 2008 election touched.

If you want numbers, compare the number of people who watched the Super Bowl to the number of people who voted in America in 2008. Then figure out what the largest non-sports viewership for a television event has been in the past two years and I can tell you without looking myself that Miss Bristol Palin is more of a star at this time in American Pop Culture than most people you would consider to be stars.


Duh, she's no STAR. Didn't say she wasn't (none / 0) (#41)
by Angel on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 08:03:42 PM EST

famous. For dogs sake, read what I posted. Sheesh.


: I think you and I have a different (none / 0) (#70)
by inclusiveheart on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 09:53:24 AM EST

view of the world. My understanding of what a star is is different from yours and I don't think that I care nearly as much about them as you do. I am thinking that if you feel this strongly about the definition of who is or is not a star, you ought to take it up with the producers of Dancing with the Stars.

Bravo (none / 0) (#63)
by norris morris on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 11:36:03 PM EST

Thanks for the post. If everyone sees a super klutz being schlepped around as a winner, perhaps as you say the public will bury this obviously vulgar Tea Party controlled disaster along with the group of judges who clearly lack judgement.


I think if I were a lousy dancer, as Bristol most (none / 0) (#14)
by Angel on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 04:05:29 PM EST

certainly is, I would be embarassed to be in the finals.

I really feel sorry for Bristol (5.00 / 2) (#23)
by ruffian on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 05:52:13 PM EST

I don't see how she survives her out of control mother making everything in Bristol's life about herself. Alll the campaigning is really all about Sarah, not Bristol. If she does win, she will know why. I hate to think what this is doing to a young woman's psyche.


I do too. I was hoping she could gain (5.00 / 2) (#26)
by nycstray on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 06:08:11 PM EST

some independence from this experience. . . .


I kind of feel sorry for her as well (none / 0) (#36)
by sj on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 07:21:49 PM EST

On the other hand, I think she herself is in denial about it all. She seems to be under the delusion that her "real person"ness is the reason why she is getting viewer votes. That may be true -- for a very, very small percentage of her votes.


: It may have even been true before momma (none / 0) (#48)
by ruffian on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 08:39:42 PM EST

grizzly kicked the operation into overdrive the last few days. I think she is sacrificing her daughter's best interests with this pretense of 'helping' her, which in truth is all about Sarah.

I don't feel sorry for her. She believes her own (none / 0) (#47)
by Angel on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 08:36:44 PM EST

press - that she deserves to be in the finals because she can dance! And because people 'relate' to her. Sorry, I don't relate to an unwed teen mom whose mother is a politician who nobody had heard of until John McCain picked her from obscurity to be his running mate! Give me a break. She isn't a star in the traditional sense of the word, she's someone who has become famous, and who was only semi-famous before she was given the gig on DWTS.


I don't think she ever had a chance at (none / 0) (#49)
by ruffian on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 08:41:47 PM EST

anything approaching normality.


: You may be right, but the rest of us wouldn't be (none / 0) (#52)
by Angel on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 08:53:25 PM EST

subjected to it had it not been for John McCain.

Tom Delay must wish he had (none / 0) (#24)
by ruffian on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 05:54:21 PM EST

had tea party backing for his DWTS season. Just how absurd can this country get?

Howdy Neighbor From Hades (none / 0) (#33)
by daring grace on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 07:00:46 PM EST

...and I am not telling you to do this -- it would not be a bad thing to randomly knock on neighbors' doors and use their phones and call, call, call, and then call some more.

Can't wait to start hearing the news stories aout police calls if this starts actually happening. Or maybe frustrated Bristol-fan neighbors will meet in the hall having used up their own phones and seeking the other's. Mayhem ensues as they dash into the night seeking fresh phones...

: Next up: no vote-as-often-as-you like (none / 0) (#35)
by oculus on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 07:13:01 PM EST

for MLB All Stars.

Come on folks (none / 0) (#39)
by jimakaPPJ on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 07:46:32 PM EST

Define "star."

A star is a "famous" person. The Left made her mother and her famous with their untoward attacks, mostly originating on left wing websites, during the election.

She is now, most likely, enjoying a fair number of "sympathy" votes. Those will fade away and the next "star," Hollywood or otherwise, will be trying to tickle your fancy with more polished steps and acceptable family members.

Here is Merriam-Webster definition (5.00 / 1) (#40)
by oculus on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 08:02:40 PM EST

of "star": link

It appears "celebrity" and "star" are interchangeable.


It's one of those bright thingies (5.00 / 1) (#53)
by nycstray on Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 09:41:53 PM EST

up in the sky . . . .


Heh (3.50 / 2) (#65)
by Harry Saxon on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 07:40:52 AM EST

The Left made her mother and her famous with their untoward attacks, mostly originating on left wing websites, during the election.

Like that notorious lefty, Andrew Sullivan?

Good observation.

Just like Ms. Palin didn't bring Bristol and Levi Johnson to the 2008 Republican Convention because of possible political gain, right?

I think you need to tell us why Talkleft wasn't one of those "Left-wing websits", or was insulting Ms. Merrit just icing on the cake for today?


The attacks on the Palins (none / 0) (#77)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 04:04:32 PM EST

are legend and useless. She has become the tar baby of politics and Bristol is benefiting from all the nasties.

That's the long and the short of it.

And most of the attacks did originate on Left wing web sites and that is just a fact, not an insult.

BTW - Glad to see that you have reduced the length of your quotations.

;-)


: Re: Heh (none / 0) (#80)
by Harry Saxon on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 05:43:27 PM EST

She has become the tar baby of politics and Bristol is benefiting from all the nasties.
You don't think that if Bristol wins despite her lack of talent, it won't be a Pyrric victory?

And most of the attacks did originate on Left wing web sites and that is just a fact, not an insult.
Then you're saying that Jeralyn's writings on Palin here haven't been attacks, is that it?
BTW - Glad to see that you have reduced the length of your quotations.
I like to consider the folks who move their lips when they read, they seem to get very grouchy when I use more than 50 words or 3 sentences in any of my quotes. :-D

: Jim stay on topic (none / 0) (#86)
by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 08:42:44 PM EST

and don't start a personal war with other commenters. This isn't about you.

would you sacrifice the show for a winning symbol? (none / 0) (#72)
by wemist01 on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 11:02:08 AM EST

Would you not sacrifice a prime-time program in order to receive a perfect symbol of the misplaced priorities, pronounced paranoia, and lack of concern for actual facts than this? I can hear it already: "They may have the votes, but that can't dance!

Thank heavens we're not talking about (none / 0) (#74)
by jeffhas on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 12:17:40 PM EST

a real election where one persons vote is worth more than another persons (like proportional balloting)... in this case - the system is currently set-up so that one person can vote as many times as they like.

What a mockery that people would vote for the most popular person over the most qualified competitor... poor Jennifer Grey.

Again I say, thank heavens we're just talking about some mindless TV show... If this happened in real life, imagine the 'winner' we might get.

We really should take the case to the DWTS Rulz committee and see if they can negate the votes of just a couple of States so the 'judges' who 'know better' than the voting public can overrule the actual individual votes of the people....

The time to take a firm stand is long overdue.

: oy vey (5.00 / 0) (#76)
by cpa1 on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 01:41:47 PM EST

Here is what I am talking about. Most of us are disgusted with our fellow Democrats and the utter stupidity of middle class Republicans who continually vote against their own interests. Let's not forget the the Republicans created the Tea Party and they are funding it because they know how effing stupid the American people are and how easily we fall for the Emperor's New Clothes scenarios. Who ever thought that the degree of white trash promoted by the Republicans could dip lower than "W". Well these effing pigs of the Tea Party like that a__hole who stepped on that woman's head for Rand Paul are running the country now, especially with a wimp like Obama in the White House.
So, we need for our friends and family to see what happens when the dumbest among us get votes and win elections. They ruin the entity. As Bristol will ruin DWTS, her mother, and all the other Republican pigs who are not about performance but only about stealing elections, continue to win. I won't take the time to vote in the DWTS but I take the time to learn about my government, taxes and economics. I also want to tell Democratic politicians, like Obama, just like we tell the DWTS judges, do your job or we won't vote and you'll have to find new work. Maybe if our friends see how Bristol brings down DWTS they'll wake up and understand how her mother and the GOP is bringing down America. How else do we get them to see that? We've tried economic principles and logic and that hasn't worked. Republicans always ruin everything with pyramid schemes of all kinds and the Democrats always have to clean up their crap. People need to start seeing that. Who cares about DWTS? It's not the show, it's the metaphor.

Override mechanism (none / 0) (#78)
by denise k on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 04:45:07 PM EST

They need a judicial override mechanism that works similar to peremptory challenge in voir dire -- an "I-don't-care-why-or-if-dancer-got-most votes-dancer-is-done" kind of power. It will probably do as much to generate "buzz" by eliminating a popular contestant as the vote rigging has. I, for one, have not watched this year because I actively dislike anything Palin and have no desire to watch a B. Palin popularity contest.

: They had one on American Idol (none / 0) (#84)
by nycstray on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 07:40:26 PM EST

they could have done the same on DWTS.

For all the outrage and (none / 0) (#79)
by Anne on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 05:01:34 PM EST

shock at where this silly contest is, there seems to be a decided lack of interest in why the judges gave Ms. Palin such high scores early on, when she clearly didn't deserve them.

Which makes me wonder whether they weren't using Bristol all along as a ratings-driver.

Duh.

These people are laughing all the way to the bank - which was always their only goal.

: I dunno (none / 0) (#88)
by jbindc on Mon Nov 22, 2010 at 11:47:00 AM EST

DWTS for Nov 1-7 was the number one rated show with 19.93 million viewers and the results show was the number three rated show with 16.93 million.
Doesn't seem like it's been too bad for ABC.....
And they aren't changing their voting system.

Always the case (none / 0) (#85)
by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 07:51:45 PM EST

It will go from being a dancing competition to a popularity competition where whoever has the most rabid fan base will always win...

It has always been a popularity competition. That is what fan voting is all about.

Heavens! (none / 0) (#87)
by DancingOpossum on Mon Nov 22, 2010 at 09:21:07 AM EST

Why, Bristol winning this would be like, I don't know, someone who authorizes more war, expanded war, ever more greater war and even more endless war funding, in the process killing a lot more people than Dubya did in his wars...like giving someone like that the Nobel Peace Prize!! Imagine!

Why is it that we seem to be (none / 0) (#89)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Nov 22, 2010 at 01:57:46 PM EST

so vested in a dopey TV reality show and so deeply want to save it from some "bad guys," yet we seem to be indifferent to, or perhaps even enjoy the spectacle of, some other "bad guys" trying to cause our airlines, etc., to "hemorrhage?"