DWTS [Spoiler Alert for Other Time Zones]

none | 11-16-10 | self

[paul in cape]

Nothing else.

[conservativegranny]

“Probably the only contestant who had even anywhere close to the professional dance training as Brandy was Jennifer, but her dancing was for one movie about 20 years ago.”

I agree with your point of view put I want to point out something about Jennifer Grey.

When she was asserting that she had little dance experience aside from Dirty Dancing I did some research. Not completely honest.

Jennifer’s father is a famous Broadway dancer, performer and choreographer. She went to a prestigious private school where she studied performance and dance. She scored a dancing spot in a Dr. Pepper commercial while still in her teens and was in a couple of movies including Dirty Dancing. Her dancing skills were obviously good enough for the role.

She’s an actress. I think that they do have an advantage over contestants who do not have any acting ability as you have to get into a role and play a character to perform the dance.

Past contestants include the lead singer in the Pussy Cat Dolls who rely heavily on dancing ability. The performer had been taking dance since childhood. Also Olympic winning figure skaters and gymnasts who also take dance. And a member of the Spice Girls performance group. Donny and Marie Osmond who certainly have more performance experience than let’s say a football player.

While Jennifer is clearly a very talented dancer I’m not sure what a win for her would prove. You would think she’d be embarrassed. She’s hardly competing with her peers.

The prize is not a million dollars. It’s a tacky mirrored disco ball. It’s surprising that people are getting so upset over it.

But I think you clearly illustrated why people are voting in earnest for Palin. They can relate to her and they appreciate the odds were against her. She continued to work hard and improved every week. Advancing this far for Jennifer was expected. Not so for Palin.

[DoughtyOne]

Folks I'm going to make these comments, and I know they're not going to make some of you very happy.

I absolutely detest Democrats who use poor logic to justify doing things that aren't right.  When they don't play by the rules, they always have some puddin'-headed reason.  Generally people here see through it right away too.  And they aren't too happy about it either.

Most people on this thread are thrilled that Bristol Palin has been voted into the finals on DWTS.  I am not.  I have watched the program since it's inception.  During seasons prior to this one, there have been popular stars who were voted back on due to their popularity rather than their dancing skills.  Each time this took place, dancers with more tallent were sent packing.  I don't consider that to be reasoned.

If we take this fan popularity to the extreme, they could put a paraplegic on the program and fans would vote them to be the winner.  Would that be reasoned?

I know that the design of the show does allow fans to participate, and I think that adds a dynamic to the program that makes it more popular.  I still think those fans should be somewhat reasoned in their voting.  I don't want to see Tom Delay voted back on just because I liked him politically.  I don't want to see other older stars remain on the program while other more accomplished dancers are sent packing.  IMO it is morally wrong to do so.

Fans should support their favorites.  Of course they should also be considerate of the other participants on the show, if their star isn't pulling their own weight.  Participants get involved in the show.  They are competitive.  They want to accomplish something too.  They have pride.  Just because they have noteriety, it doesn't mean they should be treated unfairly.

Bristol Palin has been judged to be at the bottom of the leader board for seven weeks in a row. SEVEN!  During those seven weeks other participants were sent packing.  Some of them were way beyond Bristol's level of dancing.  And when this happened, each week I got a little bit more embarrassed by what some well meaning but misguided people were doing.  As Conservatives, aren't we supposed to be a cut above the Democrats?  Aren't we supposed to have higher moral acuity?  Aren't we the ones who are supposed to do the right thing?  Yes, my friends, we are and you know it.

I have seen it said on this thread a number of times how the Lefties heads were spinning because of Bristol being retained to participate in the finals.  Folks, this isn't Left vs Right.  This is a dancing program.  The judges have been fair to Bristol.  She hasn't been as accomplished as the other dancers.  I know that some folks like to make hay out of the fact that she has progressed over the season, but that really doesn't count if other dancers have been consistantly beating her each week.  And folks, seven weeks in a row...  It is understandable that Bristol could be held over a couple of weeks while her supporters came to grips with the fact that she wasn't as good as the others.  Still, seven weeks?

I know that some of you also think you're sending a very important message.  Folks, you're not sending a political message here, unless the message is that Conservatives are thrilled to flood a dance contest poll in order to vote the worst dancer back on the program to please a political figure.  Church bells aren't ringing this evening because the right thing was done.  Instead a sort of hollow victory of sorts has caused a palpable odor to become associated with the DWTS season finale next week, and Conservative's part in the final outcome.  Should we be proud of this?  It's something akin to the parents in attendence of a little league game coercing the umpire to rule in their favor.  It's embarrassing to watch.  It's embarrassing to read this thread.  Lots of folks should be ashamed of themselves.

How can we not hang our heads in shame, if we're going to act in this manner?  How can we fault the Democrats for acting like idiots, if we're going to do something consummately idiotic?

Bristol IS NOT the best dancer left on the program.  She is not the second best either.  Please have some class and let an accomplished dancer win the dance contest.

You're not proving that Sarah can be elected president.  All you're doing is proving that Palin supporters will act unreasonably if they have to, in order to get their favorite politician's daughter a win on a program she simply isn't good enough to win on her own.  Please give more thought to what your are doing.

Later...

[DoughtyOne]

I think your strongest point was the one that Jennifer had taken dance classes. Still, I took dance classes about twenty-five years ago. If I had to dance on DWTS, I’d be booed off the show withing ten minutes.

It should be acknowledged that dancing in movies is not the same as dancing in a show like this. You rehearse exactly what dancing will take place. There are short scenes that can be shot over and over. The relationship between that kind of dancing and what Gray is doing today, is very tenuous at best.

The singers that dance on stage are not doing the same type of dancing that is involved in this show. These dances are world class dances. They aren’t short choreographed hop steps with a bunch of backup dancers.

You’re out there on your own for 1.5 minutes having to avoid forgetting your routine, and or making any mistakes whatsoever.

I think folks read way too much into some of these stars past dancing experience. I also think too much is made of the idea that these people are supposed to have never danced before. That isn’t the case.

If none of the contestants had any dancing ability, nobody would be watching the show. And no, the idea that ‘this person is just a normal person like me’, is not the premise of the show. If it was, this would be ‘Dancing With the Talentless People Just Like You”

[Catsrus]

Oh lighten up. You sure took a lot of time to answer my post line by line. Bravo! What a waste for something so insignificant as a reality dance show. No, I don’t vote for Bristol to stick it to the libs. I happen to think she is a beautiful young woman who has guts and has shown much improvement.

You missed my point entirely, and please don’t respond with more of your useless banter and breakdowns of my post.

So, once again - shut up. Why people vote is their business - not YOURS. Get it?

[Avoiding_Sulla]

BTTT.

I wonder which ones felt inclined to press the abuse button on you?

[DoughtyOne]

I would hope folks would see a glimmer of truth in what I said. Realizing that isn’t going to be the case, I’d expect a few to push that button.

[catbertz]

I agree with every word of your post. Thanks for saying it!

[antceecee]

Bingo! You hit on the head son!

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for your response. I appreciate it.

[roses of sharon]

Facinating posts here...those who don’t like Palin because they would prefer a different Republican, and libs who hate her....all have the same reaction.

Looooooong self-rightous posts lecturing to the point of exploding heads!

All so concerned that a pols kid gets votes on a TV dance show? lol

I guess we do owe a debt of thanks to Sarah Palin and GWB....we now know exactly where people stand..in left and right media, in the political class, and even on FR.

[Aurorales]

I didn’t act “unreasonably” by voting for Bristol.

I think she is a better dancer than Brandy.
That is the truth.

Brandy looks awkward. Her feet are not pointed most of the time. They are weirdly pointed up. Looks horrible when she is dancing.
Plus she has chicken legs. Sorry, she does. It just looks unappealing when she dances.

Bristol did a good job last night. My husband actually rewound her second dance to watch again. Then he picked up his phone and voted for her. I was shocked.

Not everyone who voted for Bristol had a political motive. Some of us actually voted for her because we enjoyed her dancing last night.

So please get off of the soapbox and stop assuming you can read our minds.

[antceecee]

I agree with your analysis and yes... Jennifer may very well be the next to go.

[antceecee]

I know gay guys who say that! They are certainly NOT homophobes. For heavens sake!

[DoughtyOne]

If you will take the time to read the thread, you’ll quickly realize I was only reading statements on the thread, not minds.

I thought Bristol’s first dance was good. I thought it deserved 8s and 9s. It got nines. I was fine with that.

Her score for the evening was 53. Brandy’s was 57.

Brandy has consistently scored above Bristol week after week. Last night wasn’t the first time she outscored her.

How do you spin that to reveal Bristol is the one who deserved to stay?

If Bristol were dancing better than the others, I would defend her if she didn’t get the scores she deserved. I’m not here to be unfair to her and I don’t think I have been.

[antceecee]

This post of yours...in and of itself... should tell you to quit while you’re ahead.

[antceecee]

I agree. Pretty silly isn’t it?

[antceecee]

Brandy is a sweet “former Disney kid”. She is trying to revitalize her career by being on this show. She is talented and has always comported herself in a classy way as far as I have seen.

[antceecee]

Hope you aren’t a “Concern Troll”!

[antceecee]

You need to get a grip... this is a tv dance show FGS!

[antceecee]

Rather ironic in a way. Jennifer played a novice to dancing who ultimately masters the art form and becomes the heroine and now here we have Bristol who in reality is the “novice” who is advancing to the finals.