Dancing With the Stars: Shock and awe in the ballroom

The Internet's been buzzing with talk about how members of the U.S. Tea Party movement have been getting out the vote for Bristol Palin on Dancing With the Stars.

The blog Jezebel had a post about it today, complete with quotes from conservative message boards about how Bristol's supporters were exploiting ABC's email voting system to cast multiple ballots for Sarah Palin's daughter.

Jezebel quoted one site, FreeRepublic.com, that urged its members to "make liberal heads explode" by voting for Bristol, "even though she is not the best dancer." 

Well, my liberal head is kind of exploding right now because Bristol made the finals on DWTS at the expense of a far superior dancer, Brandy. 

And if Bristol thinks she made it just on the quality of her dancing, that's about as believable as seeing Russia from her mother's house. Even if her presence in the final three isn't part of some right-wing voting conspiracy, Bristol's appeal to viewers isn't strictly about skill on the dancefloor.

Maybe it's her youth, what Len Goodman called her vulnerability or the fact she's not typical Hollywood, which is the argument she herself made on Monday's show. And there's no denying she's come a long way since Week 1, given that she had no previous dance experience.

But in my opinion, the three best dancers aren't in the finale and I'm bummed about that.

I am, however, stoked that my two personal favourites, Jennifer Grey and Kyle Massey, will be there Monday night.

And as an aside, can co-host Brooke Burke stop already with the obsession with Jennifer's physical condition?

Following up on Jennifer's comment about how happy she was to be in the finale, Brooke asked Derek Hough: "Now that you know for sure that there's a freestyle for you next week, how difficult is it gonna be to choreograph a number taking into consideration Jennifer's hip, her neck, her knee?"

Note to Brooke: she's 50, not 80.

"You know what, I'm not really worried about it," Derek said.

Good answer.

Jennifer and Derek were the first couple declared safe, followed by Kyle and Lacey Schwimmer, leaving Brandy and Maks Chmerkovskiy, and Bristol and Mark Ballas to wait till the very end to learn their fate.

Brandy had the distinction of having the judges choose her tango with Maks for an encore performance. 

"We'd love to see a dance that absolutely lit up the ballroom last night," Len said.

Once the decision was announced, Bruno Tonioli expressed his astonishment to Brandy: "I am shocked because last night you delivered a fantastic performance. We've just seen it, amazing, but I have to stress that it is very, very important for everybody to vote. It's so close, every vote counts."

Co-host Tom Bergeron appealed to Maks for his take on what's been different this season: "This season struck me as the most surprising in that couples who would get their highest score on Monday night were often the ones who left Tuesday night."

But Maks was surprisingly diplomatic, saying one of the things he loves about his family's adopted country is "the fact that people vote and their voices count, and I love the fact the show represents that, it represents people's choice.

"And you know I don't regret a second about the last five years of my being on this show and definitely not a second of me being on this season. It's been an amazing journey."

Brandy was too stunned to say anything but had tears streaming down her face as the closing credits rolled.

Earlier, in a bit of backstage tape, Brandy said,"I hope to go to the finals, in the most humblest way that's where I feel we belong. We've worked so hard, we wanna go so bad."

The fact she didn't get there, pushed out by an inferior dancer, has to be a bitter pill to swallow for somebody so driven. It didn't sit well with some of the studio audience either: booing could be heard in the ballroom.

But like it or not, Bristol's in the finale. 

The season's last performance show airs Monday at 8 on CTV with the two-hour finale Tuesday at 9 p.m. 

Closing remarks for So You Think You Can Dance fans: Did you see Brandon Bryant, my favourite dancer from Season 5, performing during Annie Lennox's first song? I thought I spied Kathryn McCormick among the dancers during Annie's second song, but given that she's part of the SYTYCD tour that was performing in L.A. on Tuesday night I'm guessing not.

(The photo of Brandy and Maks doing the Argentine tango on Monday night is by Adam Larkey for ABC.)

Comments

[h]

Such a huge disappointment...
What's even worse is that Bristol attributes her longevity to her being relatable to the general public. How sad. Deny it all you want but deep down, you know that the bulk of the votes she received were influenced by politics.

[VS]

I am so discusted with DWTS and the entire Palin Tea Party politics. The Palins have totally screwed up the credibility of the show with their win at all costs attitude. Birstol is too niave to be believed if she thinks she is winning because she's oridinary and ordinary people relate to her! I am ordinary and I am outraged. Bristol should tell her mother to get lost and stay out of trying to control her life and everyone else. DWTS has lost another viewer and I think the Palins have done themselves more harm than good.

[Jim Hoyle]

What a crock!! Palin is definitely improved, but she still can't hold a candle to Brandi or some others who were voted off. This things to be as fishy as the string of catfish my Grandson caught. This is all of this show for me forever.

[Exon]

Disgusting Really, This program should be about art not campaigning for popularity,...... What Bristol is taking with her from this... make short cuts in life with family popularity... I think judges should null this week decision.. She did not deserve it ... What a legacy Palin's are leaving

[Ang]

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brandy is gone!! She so deseveres to be in that finale over Bristol! So much more deserves it!

[Germie]

SUCKS! SUCKS! SUCKS!. Stupid voters. They voted for Bristol who is so stiff and has an emotionless face while dancing. Poor Brandy! We love you Brandy.

[Ron]

For the past 10 years Hollywood celebrities have been shooting off their mouths with regard to American politics; by voting for Bristol Palin the Silent Majority has send a strong message to the so-called intellectual elites in Hollywood.

[DSo]

Not....News. Do you think Marie Osmond deserved to get as far as she did? Come on now. It's a popularity contest, and what can divide people more, and make your choice of who to vote for easier than politics? Maybe religion, but I'm also sure that the Palin's are "good God fearing folk" as well.

[Perin McKnight from Canada]

All along I have had the feeling that Bristol has been 'saved' as a 'political' vote!! She deserved to be voted out weeks back. I don't think any person or kin of a political background should be selected to appear on this program. What with her mother Sarah appearing so many times on the sidelines!!! Just disgustingly unfair!! Next season if a political 'heir' appears, my friends and I will boycott this show.

[Barbara]

I think it is a shame that the show could be rigged like this.It is so obvious what is going on, Sarah personality and prompting her party got the votes .Her daughter was and is an inferior dancer and should not be there.I am sure she will win the competion and if she does I will not watch the program anymore.

[Babs Barker]

Ok, the fix is in...I am so disappointed at the dishonesty shown. Miss Palin should have been cancelled weeks ago, but now we know why she wasn't.
I hope DWTS finds a better, fairer way to keep the best dancers. Obviously, this way doesn't work.

Babs Barker

[Kris]

What will be even more disgusting about this process at DWTS is if Bristol Palin wins this thing. She never should've made it this far and I don't think most thought she would but just goes to show you that if true, not even a dancing competition can be immune from partisan politics and conservative vs. the liberal labelling that is so toxic and sickening in American society.

[Frank]

I would just like to point out that while being an avid Star reader today is truly a disappointing day. In a world that has far greater news worthy issues to be covered, does this really belong on the front page of The Star?

Yes we are all aware of Sarah Palin and her futile efforts at being a politician, then why is that she and her family are given the gratification of being "news worthy"? Her daughter (who is of no importance) appearing on the front page and of all things for votes that are legitimate or illegitimate on Dancing With The Stars...seriously?

I think the editors and authors at The Star need to reconsider what they consider "Real News" if they wish to get increase readership otherwise we might as well all start subscribing to Perez Hilton for our daily news.

[BobV]

It's a TV show. It's also a popularity contest. ABC'S voting system allows for multiple votes and Bristol's fans are more motivated. As for the snarky Russia from Palin's house comment. Sarah Palin never said it. It was Tina Fey on SNL. Palin said you could see Russia from Alaska, which is a true statement.

[Randy]

Silly commenters. Brandy's exit is as much to do with her partner Maks as it does with Palin politics.
Maks has been in the final several times but not won. He is arrogant and self aggrandizing. His partner is merely a prop for the Maks show.

[Debra Yeo]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to comment. I won't reiterate what I think about Bristol's dancing because you already know where I stand.
Frank, it's true that Bristol making the finals isn't the world's biggest news story, but it's certainly a talking point as evidenced here.
BobV, I do know that it was Tina Fey who made that comment and not Sarah Palin. I was just making the point that it was equally preposterous, in my opinion, to think Bristol made it into the finals just because of her dancing. If it was just her dancing, I think she would have been eliminated last night, but again, that is just my opinion.

[Stanley Loper]

Enough of the whining....

Part of the point of the show is for the contestants to bring their fan base to the show. That's why some of the better dancers don't make the cut. It's about ratings. So folks can't handle little Miss Palin, the "Ieen Activist", bringing a bigger flock of fans than an R&B singer. Too bad.Sure Brandi was the better dancer and I do feel sorry for her. It would've been fun to watch her go head to head with the best dancer of the bunch and my personal favorite, Jennifer.

I find it curious nobody is fuming because Kyle, who isn't really technically better than Bristol, wasn't tossed. Brandi wasn't beat by just one lesser dancer, she was beat by two of them. What gets lost in all the whining and complaining is that in this season, two underdogs, the fatman and the political pariah are in the finals, and there on merit for all the complaints folks like the author of the piece and many here are making. It is the American dream come true and it has turned the show on it's head in the most unexpected way. Good for Kyle and Bristol both! They weren't supposed. to make it, yet they have.

Another thing folks here apparently haven't listened to are the judges comments that Bristol's technique is perfect. Her only problem is the acting part, or getting and staying into character. Mark my words, If Bristol manages to repeat the way she did that this week, or even improve, she could hand my personal favorite, Jennifer, a very public defeat. Kyle's showmanship in the free style could do the same thing. I would feel so bad for Jennifer, oh would I ever. But my hat would be off to Bristol and I would consider the seaon the best ever.

I've been a fan of ballroom dancing all my life and of this show for about as long as the author. Between them, Florence Henderson, Bristol, and Kyle made this the most enjoyable season I've watched. All three of them broke the mold and showed us that old folks, the overweight, and the political, could do more than being the season's butt jokes. I love it!!!

[Debra Yeo]

Stanley, Jennifer is also my personal favourite. It is Bristol's emotional detachment that I think makes her the lesser dancer of the four and also the reason I enjoy Kyle much more than her. But you are right, I never expected Kyle to make the finals at the beginning of the season. And I also quite enjoyed Florence Henderson.

[pmiracle]

Unbelievable!! To keep two couple that do not come close to the fabulous dancers, Brandy and MaKs is a pathetic!!
I will not watch the show anymore! It seems to me the judges,Carrie Ann and Len, do not like MaKs and always have comments to make that are negative most of the time!
Ibelieve that the judges should be the ones to make the final decisions when it comes to the final 4 and then the finals. This show is suppose to be about dancing not a personality contest! BOO on the people who voted to keep Bristol and athe young 19 year old!
The show has become boring, picking the worse dancers to win and only a few times to get it right!
The only reason I do watch the show is because Maks is the most exciting person on the show and I have a feeling he will not be back next season and who could blame him! It is a farce! He has had wonderful partners and has never won! What does that tell you!!???

[Nancy]

After watching since Season 2, I will never watch Dancing With The Stars again.
This is supposed to be a dancing contest - not a Sarah Palin's daughter contest.
I am neither a Democrat or Republican. I am not even American.
That kid has to feel embarrassed knowing that her mother's name is keeping her on the show.
The Palin's know Brandy should have finished first or at the very least second.
I will admit the Palin kid has improved but she couldn't have gotten worse than she started out.
On top of her lack of talent, she has absolutely no personality and always appears detached.
Sarah Palin showing up all the time was extremely unfair to the other competitors.
I thought Maks was finally going to get the win he deserves this season with Brandy's talent. They were amazing together - as are Derek and Jennifer.
In case I didn't make myself clear - I will not watch the finale and I WILL NEVER WATCH THAT SHOW AGAIN.

[Frank Yao]

When has any of these shows have been about just talent, as opposed to popularity? When the at-home audience gets to vote, there will always be an element of popularity (and websites that encourage you to vote for the worst contestant). I can't think of ONE of these reality shows that was JUST about talent. It's only just about talent if the judges have the only say, because they are probably the only people who can judge based on talent, except maybe on Idol, but probably because pop music is about more than just talent.

[Debra Yeo]

Nancy, I feel bad for Maks too, I thought this might be his year.
Frank, I know what you're saying. I realize there are all kinds of reasons why people vote and it's not always about talent, but I do think there are cases where real talent rises to the top.

[carol gray]

I too, think the judges are a lot to blame. They conctantly gave Palin higher marks than she deserved . She was only a 'cut above' Kate Gosselin but continued to get their unwavering accolades, Get the political figures out of the programe or lose your fans.