Image Credit: Bob D'Amico/ABC
Bristol Palin may look like she doesn’t even want to be there half the time, but apparently lots of other people must want her on Dancing With the Stars, because the “teen activist” keeps on surviving week after week when other, clearly better dancers are shows the door. Which leads to many questions: How is this happening? Are fans of her politician mother voting along party lines for daughter Palin in droves? And could Bristol actually … gulp … win? Annie Barrett and Michael Slezak join me on the always non-partisan TV Insiders podcast to break it all down while also examining the big verbal dust-up between sassy Maks and sometimes lucid Carrie Ann. Plus: Someone admits to actually liking Survivor: Nicaragua‘s NaOnka, we grade the first week of Conan O’Brien’s new TBS talk show, and give our picks for the funniest Modern Family cast member. You can download all the insanity straight to your mp3 player, or click on the video player below to enjoy all the podcast magic on your screen right here, right now. And if you have a question for the TV Insiders, you can tweet it to @EWDaltonRoss. So get your dancing shoes on, click on the video below, and we’re off!
i voted for her because sarah palin told me to.
I didn’t vote for her because Sarah Palin told me to.
Sadly, Bristol remains a dancer due to her mother’s political status. Bristol is in denial – the votes are based on the Palin name and not Bristol’s dancing. Take a look at previous shows – hate to compare you to a cardboard, but stiff is stiff.
Agree! Florence Henderson had more moves! To say that Bristol is better than Kyle, Brandy and Jennifer would be a ridiculous. I even have a feeling the audience would boo Bristol if she won it all.
people are voting her on not her mother bafoon!
Obviously voters are supporting Bristol, Catrocky. However, if Bristol wasn’t a Palin, she would have been off the show by now. By the way, before you call anyone a “bafoon”, learn to spell it, Buffon.
That’s funny cuz you spelled it wrong while trying to correct his grammar. FAIL!!!
Ok, I left out an “o”! It was a typo. It was a misspelled word that I was correcting, not his grammar. Since we’re talking about grammar…take a look at self. Fail!!! Ditto.
I have a strong feeling that Bristol Palin will be getting the boot tomorrow night! My money’s on Jennifer Grey to take the mirror ball trophy!
You don’t have to like her Mother, but give the girl a break. Bristol has worked very hard to get to where she is. She’s only 19 and has had no prior dance training yet she has improved by leaps and bounds. she is a sweet and natural girl and people love her. I am rooting for the two underdogs Bristol and Kyle, because they’ve worked so hard for this. May the best underdog win!
Bristol has improved tremendously and is the only “non performer” left. She is not as polished as Jennifer or Brandy or even Kyle, but they are all familiar with performing, taking on other personas, and using their bodies for theatrical performances. Bristol is a girl thrust in the limelight because of who her mother is, who made bad choices and is trying to make them better. She shouldn’t have been asked to be on this show because she is not a “star”, she’s just a known name. Having said that, I wish her good luck and think she should be tremendously proud of what she’s accomplished on DWTS.
Roma, you see, that’s why it’s called “Dancing With the Stars”. These people are supposed to be “stars”, meaning performers on some level to have earned that status. For some, they performed on tv or movies, others in the music field, and still others in a sport. Bristol got on this show because of her mom. She’s not a “star”. She’s an unwed mother whose mom got selected to be a vice presidential candidate.
I agree with you, she should be proud of herself. But, she doesn’t deserve to win the show. Still, ABC is loving the ratings she’s bringing!
I have a message! I have a message to the people of America. Bristol is gonna win DWTS!!!
Paul, are you BRAIN DEAD? My only question is, where was MAMA GRIZZLY when her 15 year old daughter was laid up somewhere with her legs up over he head?
I beleive a person with a firm ethic and passion could make it through a competition and win it all… but even if she wins, due to votes over scores, the question is, can you 100% say it was not because of the due to the improvement of this young woman’s dancing or Paline branding. Her performance was ok “in a moderate sence”. She’d be great at a party, but dance sport, she would not pass the prelimonaries. She’s all over the score boards sometimes geting the worst scores. If you sell her as the underdog, she gets paid $15,000 just to step on stage to speak about having sex at a young age, getting pregnant and how other teens should not do what she did due to the fact that they don’t have as much money as she to take care of a baby if they get pregnant? that is the stranges underdog I’ve ever heard of.She is a professional, and a reality tv star. Do I believe she deserves to win it all? :-/
Everyone seems to forget that it’s a DANCING COMPETITION and the BEST dancer should win. End of story.
Sure she’ll win, she’s just like you.
She will win DWTS just like she won my heart, and the 2016 elections.
Then it will be time to relocate out of this country.
I have been voting for Brandy but I think people vote for Bristol because she is such a fish out of water and as Maks een said, this will probably be the most exciting moment of her life so let her have her moment. She’s shy, not in tune with her sexuality and conflicted about being away from her baby, but this process seems to be doing something to help her view herself as a powerful, strong woman and I hope she takes that with her going forward.
I also think people vote for her because she has had the biggest improvement arc and started with truly no experience as a dancer, actor, or being in front of people performing in any way. She’s like most viewers in that sense. I do hope she goes next vote, though, for in the end you do want the best dancer to win it (at least I do).
That was a very kind assessment, Heidi. It’s refreshing to hear from someone who is not full of hate.
I totally agree- I have nothing against her- even though I don’t like her mother’s politics.. she has greatly improved and surprised me but in the end the best dancer still needs to win.. and that’s going to be a tough one…
no. people are voting for her cause several conservative websites are instructing them to do it then writing out instructions on how to dial the phone number.
she will likely win this year but her win will have NOTHING to do with DWTS watchers
If you read the story she’s not away from her baby…he’s there most of the time with her…with a nanny of course…but he’s not been left behind in Alaska with Grizzly Grandmother…who’s much too busy pimping herself to be taking care of anyone.
i am going by what pal,in saais herself in an interview mike, but then i guess tabloids klnow what she thuinks better than she does
Unfortunately Heidi, many of Palin’s supporters ARE full of hatred, and see a “win” for Palin as a way, if I may quote one of them directly, “of sticking it to the liberal media.” There is a glitch in the ABC online voting system, and many of her supporters are using it to vote 30, 40, 80, 100 times. Yes, there is a word for this: cheating. Wonder if gal wonder will mention that in her next $15k speech…
Blah Blah Blah about Bristol not being aware of her self or her power, the heck! She is being coached by the best trick of the week, her mom! Unfortunately she has her trained ponies voting for her daughter and in that way she is cheating to win…sound familiar?
Dee you are a horses ass…give it up!
I couldnt have said it better. Btw- she’s also being terrorized for being a young, unwed mother. How many women now have babies without having husbands and society cheers them on? Why is Bristol any diff? She decided at 17 to have sex and got pregnant. I’d say she made a bad judgement on birth control and choice of partner, but sex at 17? How many of you were having sex BEFORE 17? And how many of your daughters have gotten preg? And how would you feel if the whole world was nailing her to a cross for it? Wow, people. And how was Sarah Palin supposed to keep her 17 yr old from having sex? And dont preach morals and values, because you know you live in a glass house, too. This is an entertaining show and she certainly has given us that. So keep your polital rhetoric to yourselves and let the girl have some fun. Go Kyle, Go Jennifer and GO BRISTOL!!!!
of course bristol can win. many webapages have turned this into some kind of ploitical agenda and are telling their users to vote for palin whether they watch DWTS or not. this ios the part i love, THEN THEY QARE GIVING THEM INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DIAL THE PHONE NUMBER. OMG HOW FAIL
it will be amazing if palin doesnt win this year.
i predicted palin would be in the finals before the show even started this year when i saw people posting and camnpaigning for bristol before the season even started on the DWTS website.
Exactly! How can this be the vote of the people when the tee pee are voting like there is no tomorrow to stick it to the rest of us! All of us who put up with this nonsense are as stupid as they say we are.
btw why arent we talking about the real news? gwyneth paltrow on glee tonight singing cee lo green.
DWTS is about as relevent after this year as star search is.
It’s a shame that she’s chosen because of her mother (politics). She shoul’ve been out a few better dancers ago in the show. I’m very dissapointed of the outcome. I’m not watching the show next week, it’s obvious that Alaska is giving her the win, not her dancing possible talents, that need alot more practice.
I don’t believe a word of it.
She has an ENORMOUS head in that picture. Yikes.
She does!
If you don’t like it don’t read it BAFOON!!!!
That reply makes no sense, catrocky. We commented on the picture, not the article. You can’t read pictures.
learn how to spell BUFFOON catrocky
That’s because the picture was airbrushed to remove pounds from the rest of her body.
Her partner is a midget – they should have paired her with someone who doesn’t make her look like sasquatch.
She has a big head and a fat face. Bristol should have been voted out weeks ago.
I’d do her…(even if Sarah Palin told me not to…
Sarah Palin wouldn’t say anything to you. She’s too busy being a politician and not a mother. How else do you think Bristol became a teen activist??
Activist? Please. You have to have a cause to drive you to be an activist. Bristol is a misguided parrot, or puppet or pull toy or whatever, but certainly not a young woman with her own philosophy. She hasn’t had time nor the experience to develop one. Her mother is a politician who is courting the evangelical voters. For crying out loud if ever the phrase “the eyes are the light of the soul” were apropo it is in this instance. This young woman has no emotion in her eyes or her voice…she is a complete monotone…a droid!!!!
ABC shame on you! Since when is an unwed teenage mother, and that is her identity today, a STAR?
I throw up in my mouth every week she is saved on DWTS. Send her home already. Do Derek and Jennifer. At least they deserve to win.
Thank you for giving us a wonderful season of DWTS, and for that we, America, have rewarded you with our votes. Bristol Palin is such an amazing person and her advocacy is a great inspiration to many of our teenage girls. After all teenage pregnancy and premarital six are practices contrary to our conservative values. We thank her for her story and we thank you for giver her to us.
Lovingly suppoting you til the end,
America
i agree dtpm.
all your tea party spawn should be just like bristol. they should all get pregnant at 16 then expect to become reality tv stars.
be sure to let me know how that works out for you
This Tea Partier is definately BRAIN DAMAGED.
Please…learn how to spell then you might make an impact with your insipid statements. How is it that in our society today you “conservatives” seem to worship, literally, those who have just fallen flat on their faces when NOT practicing your conservative values. This contradiction is a puzzle for a conservative who does not try to impose my realities on anyone.
thats why all those flies are hovering by your head!
I can’t stand the way Derek’s hands are all over jenn and the way they rock….creepy.
Maybe it’s his way of soothing all her fake her injuries!!!
who is voting for teen-hippocrite, uh, i mean, teen-activist Bristol Palin? they are making a mockery of a show that doesn’t have much dignity to begin with. oh the inhumanity!!
should definitely have had quotes around “teen-activist”
I am sure the Cult of the Stupid will keep her in again. Apparently they like anything that is wretchedly bad. Like her mother.
This family has no shame. Sarah Palin is a sub-par politician but her crazed fans are making her believe she is God. Bristol should be at home taking care of her baby. How about being an advocate for finishing college while being a single mom????
What about Brooke Burke … she had her baby with her during the competition and was even filmed practicing with the baby strapped onto her? Many participants have had children, including very young ones, so why the attitude that Bristol should stay at home when others have kids, some even younger than Bristol’s?
Who needs college when you could be in HOLLYWOOD.
Having a child shouldn’t end her dreams and desires in life get a clue your criticizing someone you never met and know nothing about how she takes care of her child in fact by working on dwts i’d say she’s providing very well for the baby!
Your a disgrace yourself jealous fool!
Bristol shouldn’t be on the show because she can’t dance, not because of her baby!
@catrocky
Please learn the difference between “your” and “you’re” and then move on to punctuation. Thanks.
Palin doesn’t care about GOD or Jesus she shoots all endangered species and Jesus was a poor person from a Foreign country how could she like him all Republicans hate poor people and foreigners.
Brooke Burk wasn’t a single mom/activist. Burk actually had the father of her baby supporting her throughout the show. Given that Bristol is still young herself; she has so many challenges as a single mother. Challenges that should prioritize her son and not herself. I’m sorry but I just don’t see how being away for so many days, weeks or even hours dancing is conducive to Bristol’s son’s well-being.
Well you know what the Daily Mirror splashed on the front page in 2004…”how can 59+Million people be so stupid.” Embarassing huh?
You can’t be intellectually superior if you are reading the Daily Mirror.
Can someone please explain to me how she is a “teen activist”? What is her message to teenage girls? Obviously she (her family) can afford to hire people to watch her child, while she spends lots of time in another state (not to mention the money she makes every week she appears on the show). Most moms (teen or otherwise) work to put food on the table, pay the mortgage or rent, utilities, and babysitters (not to mention the fact that bosses don’t much like it when you have to stay off work because your child is sick (babysitters won’t watch sick children). Bristol is not an activist for anyone but herself. She doesn’t represent the reality of what most teenage moms go through, and for her to claim she does is sickening.
Sorry, DC. No one will be able to explain it to you because anyone with common sense knows that Bristol as a “teen activist” makes zero sense.
that counts you out!!!
Yep Ann…about as much sense as her mother as the president of the US. Scary thought yeah? Just imagine it!
I though her message was essentially “don’t do what I did.” (ie which is ridiculous enough, but I don’t think she’s actually giving advise to teen moms. Or maybe she is and I’m all wrong.)
she is.
she is a PAID speaker to conservative teen groups.
i wonder who shes going to blame when this latest pregnancy gets out? no one has ever been on DWTS and gained weight before. methinks the situation had a situation with her and lets face it shes a palin so too stupid to use birth control
I think the producers had to come up with something to say during the down-the-stairs introduction for her each week. I guess “Teen activist Bristol Palin” sounds smoother than “Unwed teen mom Bristol Palin.”
LMAO! I spit coffee all over my desk when I read that. Priceless!
I guess the truth isn’t as catchy: Single-teen mom and daughter of Sarah Palin – Bristol Palin!
i dunno the truth can be satisfying.
as in bristol palin – fame ho.
now that has a nice ring to it and it is so the truth
or “The daughter of Quitter-Governor and Media Whore”..
You need to rename this Reality TV Insiders Podcast. Way too much about DWTS and Survivor.
True…although I did appreciate the week when they talked about The Walking Dead.
If you don’t like the show, you don’t have to read the articles.
Yeah, can you either just make a Realite or seperate videos for seperate shows. It’s really annoying having to search through the video to find where you talk about what.
If Bristol wins, DWTS will lose SO many viewers and risk coming in (GASP) second to American Idol again in the ratings. Bristol has a handicap; that is her mother’s supporters are voting for her. If anyone who is a fan of the show isolates Bristol as a celebrity dancer, she would have been eliminated weeks ago. At least the Osmond family had their own fans ruining the show not their mother’s fans.
If Bristol wins, and I’m sure I’m not alone on thin, I’m no longer watching DWTS. It is that simple. The shows entertainment credibility is already going out the window. Bristol winning would only make the demise of DWTS official.
Ann you said it all…..I will not watch if she wins….she is a very nice young lady but she cannot dance like the others that have won in the past shows that was in the finals I was in shock last week…this is unbelievable!The show has lost it luster!
I agree. If she wins (or even makes it to the finale, I won’t watch again.
I agree with your comment-I can’t believe Bristol Palin made it this far-I truly believe she stinks, and there must be some incentive to the judges to give her the score and praise they do! I also will not watch much longer if the poor judging goes on!
I’m with you…almost didn’t watch it this year after having to put up with the Gosselin Mess last year and hearing that Teen Slut Palin would be on it…the producers and network should be ashamed of themselves…but you know they’re not…greedy money grubbers…like Bristols mother.
had to add my 2cents, Bristol has made it to the finals, I have lost interest in the show. Very,very disappointed. Am sure tea party behind it
I am debating even watching the finale because of the pathetic fact she is still there. Thats sad when Rick,Audrina,Kurt,even Florence had way more talent. Pathetic America.
No one will notice that you’re not watching DWTS anymore…trust me. The show is a hit. It has the ratings. No one will care.
Then they should have called it Dancing with the NOT ALL Stars.
sctually alisha it isnt the hit in the ratings it used to be. the only reason it cought AI in the ratings is cause AI ratings have plunged. last season with gosselin even had more viewers than this year.
I have seen the bears in Alaska can dance better than the puggy!!
I agree with Ann,as a matter of fact, I quit now, starting this Monday, I would not watch DWTS anymore, rating down. Is a disgrace, that fat girl doesn’t know how to dance, she’ll never get it.
You are a hundred percent correct
Lots of pathetic hate.
I haven’t voted once. No one here listens to the judges.. Its dance and growth and preformance and personality. that is why its a viewer vote show. Not the Olympics. Even though I like Bristol and her mom a lot more than most of the nasty hating folks here, in the end I would vote for Jennifer..
But if Bristol does win, that might mean there are a lot more closet Palin supporters than we know about period.
And the best thing you can do to help Sara Palin is be nasty and hatful to her daughter.. it pushes the sane middle furhter for the acid left.
Come on! You have to admit there is a problem with Bristol winning the whole thing!
Remember when the show was about dancing?
No hate… just shear frustration that Bristol, who has never scored a 10 at this point in any dance, might win the whole thing.
When has the show ever been only about dancing? Part of Bristol’s “success” is the underdog position she’s in … people think that some dancers such as Jennifer Gray have an unfair advantage.
How did she ever been the underdog!? Her mother is the freaking Governor of Alaska who is currently leading a strange but popular movement.
Brandy is the underdog who up until recently has been outshone by Jennifer Grey in terms of hype.
Bristol is as near as a dancer as she is an underdog.
Hate is a strong word…However, fair is fair! I welcome learning, growth, personality, and performance to someone who is worthy. I expected a real competition that would keep me guessing until the end. I know the truth hurts, but this season is about popularity. Unfortunately, Bristol hasn’t shown any growth, entertainment, or flexiblity in her moves. Ms. Henderson (at her age) and Rick Foxx (with his height) glided across the dance floor in a smoother manner. Hopefully, the votes will be based on the performance, and a deserving couple will win.
no hate.
bristol is getting votes cause dozens of conservative websites have instructed thier users to vote for palin whether they watch DWTS or not. her popularity with DWTS viewers has NOTHING to do with it. if you could reasd you would see that the majority of posters are disgusted with DWTS to see that they care so little for thier viewers to let an obvious cheat like this control the show.
why are you taking it out on Bristol? She cant help that people obviously want to watch her, good or bad every week. Leave the girl alone you stupid haters, it’s an entertainment show it’s not an election and dont we have the right to do wtf we want?
clearly you have not been watching the show because if you were and had your eyes open its very clear…SHE CANNOT DANCE.
It’s just like a bunch of dems to moan and bitc* about someone that has to do with the rep party have some kind of sucess. Clearly this show isnt about dancing only, it’s about popularity and you haters cant get that through your thick skulls. Cant wait until Brandy or Jennifer win so you babies will sleep at night. wa wa wa….
First Amendment, baby. It’s in the Constitution, which is something that, ironically, Sarah Palin’s buddy Joe Miller thinks is “illegal.”
yeah Tsay- and Reports are already out that America is not happy with the GOP in the House. And WE B*tch and moan? Who destroyed the Government 8yrs. straight and then expect us to clean up their mess in 2yrs? This is why no political people should be on this show at all. No relatives, former politicians of any kind.
THANK YOU, Storm,for your refreshing intelligence as you presented all MY thoughts, implicitly. I can only add that I am done with the DWTS farce of a show. I expect many disappointed viewers will join me as I exit. Let’s leave it to the Pee Party.
That’s right, it’s an entertainment show…not politics If you want Politics turn on CNN or FOX News.
Here are the reasons:
1. Giving so much percentage of the overall vote to the at-home viewer…if enough people voted for him, the Situation could have won this while still scoring 3s from the judges.
2. Speaking of judges, they have been scoring Bristol too high. It’s as if they’re scoring her based not on her actual performance, but on what is good “for her”. (“For being Bristol, that was good.”)
3. Yes, there are many out there voting for her because they love Sarah Palin. But there are also some, like me, who voted for her because they like her and want her to succeed despite her ridiculous mother. I feel sorry for her and wish she’d break away from that family that has only come to watch her twice!
4. We don’t know that she hasn’t been one vote away from going home every week! Remember “in jeopardy” and “safe” mean nothing in terms standings.
they release vote statistics and at least twice bristol got significantly more votes than jennifer grey. so contuinute to tell me how it is about talent?
There’s no way in Hades that Palin will win. Period.
Somewhere in Alaska, Sarah is watching you.
IF BRISTROL WINS I WILL NEVER WATCH DWTS AGAIN. SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT OFF THE FIRST WEEK. DERECK AND JENNIFER ARE THE BEST AND SHOULD WIN.
Then why don’t you vote? That way she won’t win…
Jeez…
Bristol seems like a very nice sweet girl who unfortunately was taken advantage of during her mother’s bid for VP. She should never have been thrust into the limelight by her mother. And the whole thing about bringing Levi on stage etc was way out of line. Through it all Bristol seems to be doing o.k. despite her mother. Unfortunately Bristol has no musicality and she can not dance. She should have been eliminated a long time ago. Feeling sad for Bristol who has to live through all this mind altering reality.
Again…no one cares if you don’t watch. No onw will notice. A new viewer will take your spot. Simple as that.