'Dancing' Fans Want Sarah Palin to Feel Death's Sting?
Washington Post TV writer Lisa de Moraes displayed her typical snark in reviewing Bristol Palin's "journey" on ABC's Dancing with the Stars this fall. The Post writer even sounded a little overwrought in asserting that Sarah Palin's appearances were causing death wishes in the audience, or as de Moraes put it "death where is thy sting-ish comments." (The writer seems to be mangling the Scriptures. In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 55, the boast "Death, where is thy sting?" refers to the victorious resurrection of Christ, not to a death wish.)
This is not the first time politics has insinuated itself into the show like a snake into the Garden of Eden...But this is the first time the show has featured the daughter of a presumed presidential candidate -- seen wearing a Tea Party T-shirt on the show during rehearsal last week that clearly read: "Party Like It's 1773 with Rainy Day Patriots" -- the same week producers pixilated whatever was going on on the front of Kyle Massey's T-shirt. It's also the first time a presumed presidential candidate has been seen in the audience many weeks rooting for her daughter, in taped sequences at home, being interviewed by show host Tom Bergeron, watching her daughter rehearse, congratulating the show on reaching its 200th episode, etc., eliciting death where is thy sting-ish comments from ardent fans of the escapist fare.
"I will never be watching Dancing with the Stars again...Are people afraid to get rid of Bristol?," ranted an exasperated fan on a "Dancing" chat room.
"I have enjoyed the show and the judging since the program's inception. If this [voting for Bristol] continues next week...I will be finished watching and many folks I know agree," wrote in yet another.
These comments sound disgusted that the voting seems stacked for Bristol, but neither seems to hate Sarah (or Bristol) to death. (Okay, maybe they want Bristol to lose, but that's not death.) The story continued with ABC's defense:
"Dancing" exec producer Green disputes the idea the Palins have gotten special treatment on the show. He notes that the season in which Kelly Osbourne -- another young woman famous for her parents -- danced on the reality show, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne were often seen in the audience, Sharon was interviewed by Bergeron, and the Osbourne parents also were shown at home.
Green says that so far as he is concerned, a celebrity is a celebrity, and his only concern is about their ability to draw viewers to the show.
Anyway, he added, he would love to have a Democratic political figure compete on the show, "but Bill Clinton turned us down very politely...I think [the casting director] got as far as 'Dancing With.' He would be my ultimate booking on the show."
Watching Bill Clinton leer weeklyl at dancers in their skimpy, glittery costumes would be a ratings-drawing spectacle, but that's exactly why it won't happen.
- Tim Graham's blog
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Comments
The left'
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 7:28am.
error
Oh, for crying out loud!
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 7:33am.
de Moraes needs to grow up.
What does she think this show is??? It's a popularity contest!!
And it's a freakin' dicso ball trophy, for crying out loud!
I just love how she envisions some kind of nefarious conspiracy:
political Web sites promoting Sarah Palin's career have been getting out the vote for Bristol, including instructions on how to cast multiple votes via telephone, text message or online for hours after each Monday's performance show.
ooooh....vote-stacking!! No one's ever done THAT before!
<Chris Matthews imitation> HA!
For the record, you can only vote for 30 minutes after the show, not "hours."
And you hit it right on the head with the "usual snark" description, Tim: she says of DeLay:
DeLay himself competed on the show last season but only lasted a few weeks before resigning from that post, too, [hahaha] after suffering stress fractures in his feet.
[executive producer] Green says that so far as he is concerned, a celebrity is a celebrity, and his only concern is about their ability to draw viewers to the show.
Exactly. Get a grip, Lisa!
The funniest part of de Moraes' article is this, from the comments section:
Yeah, DWTS is the first time an award was given for political reasons to an undeserving candidate. Glad it wasn't something important like the Nobel Peace Prize being given to Barack Obama in 2009, or Al Gore in 2007. I mean those weren't politicized were they?
Amen.
Wow, temper tantrum time~
Submitted by GG_NB on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 10:37am.
They dance...they're judged by dance experts...and then America votes. It's the same process for everyone, and it is what it is. It's also entertainment. It's not like the field is being whittled down and then the winner will be given their choice between either a certificate to perform brain surgery or a scholarship to Juilliard. Now that may be something to get upset about!
Perhaps some perspective and a pumped-up maturity level is in order for those whose blood pressure and hostility is rising over Bristol Palin (a dance contestant) and Sarah Palin (her support system).
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
When Kate Gosselin was on I
Submitted by Radical1979 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 1:48pm.
When Kate Gosselin was on I thought they gave her a lot of extra exposure too. Why? Because she was an attention getter, and supposedly, the networks are all about ratings.
I still say Bristol's popularity is due to her youth, and the constant bashing she gets. Who doesn't remember being that age, insecure, and not as beautiful as some of the other women on the show? She's humble and hardworking, and not at snarky. What's not to like about her?
Behar melted down about it again today. Even Walter's and Goldberg seemed kind of like, "give it up already".
Rad~
Submitted by GG_NB on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 12:11pm.
What is so horrible to me is the hatred that is coming out -- simply because she was asked to come on the show and accepted. It seems to me that Brisol took advantage of a fun opportunity. And yes, she's worked hard to get something positive out of it, which I find admirable. She shows up and does her best. She has the right to do that -- it's a free country!
I also admire how she is trying to help others, in terms of speaking about having a baby out of wedlock. She's humbling herself and going outside her comfort zone to do that, which some seem to gleefully use as another way to attack her. It's quite sad (and can be argued also sick) to see how some people can be toward this young woman whose only "offense" to them seems to be that her last name is Palin. The nasty reactions of some speak volumes about them -- not her.
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
GG, it's unbelievable. Today
Submitted by Radical1979 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 8:31pm.
GG, it's unbelievable. Today Joy Behar went off on the fact that for one thing, she should be home raising her baby, how unliberated is that. And again, that she shouldn't be promoting abstinence, only girls who haven't had sex should be doing that. The woman's vitriole is growing by the day, despite her chosen one being in power.
Rad~
Submitted by GG_NB on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 10:21pm.
Unbelievable! What can you even say about a woman who is like this? She's going to give herself whiplash for having to argue in all different directions (to heck if it's true or even her own stances) -- whatever way she can slam Bristol.
Oh, and the "she should stay at home with her baby" comment is rich...Yes, when I think of you, Joy, I quite naturally think of an advocate for Mrs. Cleaver. Sure, that makes sense. LOL.
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
Hate runs deep
Submitted by Model850 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 1:36pm.
The hatred runs deep for some folks against the Palins.
http://www.tmz.com/2010/11/17/bristol-palin-dancing-with-the-stars-man-s...
Granted, there is WAY more wrong with this guy than just a hatred of Bristol Palin, but still....
Persumed by whom?
Submitted by CobraMan on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 1:54pm.
"But this is the first time the show has featured the daughter of a presumed presidential candidate"
Presumed by whom? By YOU! This may come as a surprise to you, you narcissistic twit, but your presumptions carry as much weight as a vacuum, similar to the one that exists between your ears. So, please, keep your presumptions to yourself.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Ya know to prevent this crap,
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 5:15pm.
Ya know to prevent this crap, i know Palin is cheating, we need to fund TV including internet and Cable and all papers by government funds. This would end the cheating once and for all. The Republicans should be ended as a party as they cheated last November also. I mean no one I talked to voted for any Republicans.
Make sure we the people get the government we deserve .... VOTE DEMOCRAT.
Palin has come a long ways
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 5:19pm.
Palin has come a long ways and is in the end for teh ratings, ratings translates into money. Ohhh Yeah. I watched Brandy's expressions last night abnd she was flabbergasted, for that alone Palin deserved teh win. Priceless.
That said I believe Baby is gonna win it. She has good bloodlines and a proven performer. Yet I like Kyle, that boy is an entertainer and he got some moves, but he has no classic lines and is too much a loose cannon.
DWTS is rigged???
Submitted by bigdaddy on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 6:44pm.
No way! Why can't they have a fair and honest competition like those on Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation?