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Editor:Ok. Tonight I saw an accomplished dancer go home on (the TV show) "Dancing with the Stars" (DWTS) and the worst of the bunch survive. And, I saw controversial conservative and FOX News pundit, Sarah Palin, among the “stars” who congratulated the show on its 200th episode. In the end, what I really saw was a terrific injustice!
Up to now, I have overlooked the fact that the show’s previous political leanings have slanted directly to the right. Former House Majority Leader and Coalition for a Conservative Majority co-founder (the same guy indicted for alleged money laundering), Tom DeLay, appeared as a contestant in Season 9. Former Republican Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, and conservative political commentator, Ann Coulter, were two right wing “stars” who were invited, but turned down the chance to compete on DWTS. In an attempt at fairness and a possible admission of overreaction, I performed an exhaustive Internet search, but was unable to find even one Democrat who had ever been invited to perform on the show.
Sure, I had the option of not viewing this season’s show when I learned that Bristol Palin was going to be a contender in Season 10. But because DWTS is my favorite show and the only one I watch faithfully every year, I decided to girl up in hopes that Bristol’s poor showing in week one would lead to her early release! But week after unbelievable week Sarah’s ne’er-do-well daughter managed to survive – and not because of the judges’ scores - but because of public support! And when Sarah Palin was displayed among former contestants extending their wishes for DWTS’ long running program, I knew I had to make a choice to continue watching my favorite TV show or walk away.
When Rick Fox, a basketball star who was clearly the better dancer, was sent packing last night and the young Ms. Palin was once again allowed to stay, I finally cracked! (Oh, and did I mention that the other person in jeopardy of leaving last night, also a much better dancer than his young white counterpart, was a black male contender like Mr. Fox?). Just you watch (because I won’t) next week that young male contender will be the one to leave – allowing the show’s conservative unwed mother to survive yet again.
DWTS contestants work beyond their physical and mental limits to garner the judges’ votes in hopes of winning the sizzling grand prize disco ball trophy. I believe the judges are genuine in their critique of the dancers – looking for the dancers with the finest technical and performance skills during the three months the show is aired. But, that is where the real buck stops. The producers of "Dancing with the Stars," in allowing the public to vote for their favorite person as opposed to the best dancer, have turned an entertaining program and a true competition, into a pathetic political statement. By allowing public votes to decide which contestants stay and which ones leave, DWTS is performing an injustice not only to their viewers, but to the contenders who are working so hard to win. Why do they have judges anyway?
I will miss my favorite show and DWTS advertisers will miss me, but if all I want is political posturing, I will tune in to one of any number of news shows geared toward such things.
Sadly,
P.K. Sheehan
Payson, AZ
18 comments:
Bye. Sorry to see you go, kind of, but the voice of the people prevailing is one of the things that makes this country great. We may not always agree with the majority, but to silence the people would be a far greater crime.
oh my, get a grip lady, it is a reality show, nothing more nothing less.......if this is your life you are one sick puppy
I agree with every word you wrote and thank you I, too, will no longer be watching DWTS for the same reasons, and that is my final answer.
could not agree more.....she should be ashamed....they"ve lost me as a viewer too
Surely you jest!
I agree, I wish the judges could get a handle on the problem but they seem to be helpless. Bristol Palin still there?? That's just wrong.
I think DWTS should make it clear this is not a show about talent, it's a popularity show. And they should also change the name to Dancing With The Tabloid Stars. Bristol Palin is no "star", neither are a lot of the other's they hire.
Get a life P.K. SHEEHAN and stop referring to DWTS as political! The show is entertainment for a lot of viewers. Watching contestants become skilled dancers and being able to vote is a privilege. Don't wreck the show for the rest of us with your conservative/right or your liberal/left hogwash just go away.... I love watching the show and so do others.
The judges on DWTS are more to blame---giving Bristol Palin high scores even though she's about as graceful as a cow. They and DWTS producers are so obviously pandering to the Sarah Palin mob.
It's hard to swallow isn't it? Bristol has ZERO personality and no grace at all. All she knows how to do is shake her shoulders or her butt. Last night just shows how it could actually go if someone decides to flood votes in for someone. She could actually come out as the winner if things don't change. Judges scores are seriously flawed.
To Anonymous who says PK Sheehan turned your favorite show into a political arena, guess what...'twasn't PK who made the poor choice of selecting Bristol Palin to appear on the show, but the producers of DWTS! I believe the comment in a nutshell speaks to the talented individuals who SHOULD be winning based on their talents and hard work. People show NOT be allowed to vote for their "favorite" performer (and I for one will NOT classify Ms. Palin a "star"). By doing so, it does become a political show. The dancers should be judged on their talent alone. And if you haven't noticed, Mama Bristol Bear doesn't have any.
I agree 100% Margo, This week will show how well the system in place is working. If Bristol Palin gets through again, the show needs to seriously think about changing the system. She should have been gone weeks ago.
And now our favorite quarterback is gone, and Bristol remains. Based on talent alone, Jennifer Grey would have been crowned the winner long ago, but the show is far more about creating public interest than highlighting talent.
If the public couldn't vote, the show would fall far down in the ratings and probably go away. As it is, it's a huge cash cow for the network and sponsors. Keeping the public "involved" is what drives the show. Fairness matters very little.
As we see every election period, money talks, and big money shouts the loudest.
Well they let Brandy go and she got a perfect score. I will never watch this scam of a show again and a lot of my family say they won't be watching anymore either.
Bristol Palin sucks at dancing and could someone tell me how is she considered a star?
All she did was get knocked up at 17.
With Brandy having been given the boot and Palin given the nod, I too will be joining the numbers no longer watching Dancing with the Stars. I don't know if this is just another way of Republicans and Tea Party advocates rewarding poor performance, or if it is a deliberate ploy by the producers of the show to boost the ratings at the expense of credibility, justice and common sense.
Wasn't last night a shocker? Brandy goes and Bristol stays? Mot really a shocker but very disappointing. I wonder if the Tea Party website that gives detailed instructions on how to vote multiple times for Bristol helped. Couldn't hurt I guess.
I don't know if the scores are figured on an even basis, 50% judges, 50% voters, but if it is done that way, they should really think about changing the percentages to maybe 75/25. That way, talent would be rewarded.
I'm amazed at some of the feedback on Brandy's elimination. Everything I've heard so far is utter disbelief that Bristol will now be in the finals and Brandy went home. Some serious re-thinking needs to be done before the next season. All of the outrage about Brandy getting booted might just send a message to the producers. This is a terrible injustice! And did you know there are many, many Tea Party websites telling the Palin supporters how to flood the show with votes for Bristol. What a farce.
The Bristol Palin saga seemed to be ruled by politics. Sarah Palin followers voted for Bristol, not because she had talent, but because she was Sarah Palin's daughter. In the long run, it turned out OK, only because Bristol wound up on the bottom. And hopefully her followers saw how the "Hillbuzz" and other blogs suggested cheating and how to do it actually hurt Bristol in the end. How can you possibly respect any kind of cheating or anyone that cheats to get ahead? And Sarah has taught her daughter well, if someone doesn't agree with you, you are now considered a "hater". Seems to be one of the Palin's favorite words now.
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