DOCUMENT: Celebrity, Stupid

Palin Success Triggered FCC Complaints

Voting, hug angered “Dancing with the Stars" viewers

Bristol Palin

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Bristol Palin FCC Letters

DECEMBER 6--In the days after Bristol Palin was voted into the finals of “Dancing with the Stars,” viewers from across the country wrote to the Federal Communications Commission accusing the ABC show of everything from running a “payola type program” to “encouraging and promoting teen pregnancy.”

Many of the complainants, whose letters were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, were upset that, as one Oregonian put it, “the top scores were voted off yet Sarah Palin’s daughter remained on.”

One viewer from Pittsburgh alleged that the show’s voting system had been “fixed by extreme supporters of the Tea Party and Radical Right-Wing. I find that it has become a political platform for Sarah Palin to improve her image and ooze her political slime.” The aggrieved correspondent continued, “Bristol is not a star, what did she do, she had sex and got pregnant. Lets reward her…I made several call to ABC’s complaint line and I hope that their phone lines melt. It has become a political movement, with Tea Party websites instructing on how to vote for Bristol. Ridiculousness!”

Another source of grievances was a hug delivered to the 20-year-old Palin by one of the show’s judges, Carrie Ann Inaba.

Noting that “no other dancer was called over for a hug,” one viewer claimed that the clinch was a “signal for the GOP/Tea Party supporters of Sarah Palin to ‘stuff’ the vote for Bristol Palin, who on both dates had to be dragged over the dance floor.” The writer added, “My 96 year old Mother-in-Law can dance better than Ms. Palin...I want my Government to protect me the viewer from deceptive practices.”

A Cerritos, California resident reported that the “physical contact” made by Inaba “sets the contestant up for thinking the judge will favor them. She was impartial to one and partial to the others.”

Other viewers sought an FCC probe of the show’s voting, since “people are bragging how they ‘gamed the system'.” Two other viewers (one from Indianapolis, the other a Brooklynite) were upset that Palin beat out the R&B singer Brandy for the last spot in the program’s three-person final.

Palin, whose baffling success led one man to blast his own TV set, ultimately finished third behind actors Jennifer Grey and Kyle Massey in the November 23 “Dancing with the Stars” finale. It is unclear whether the FCC received complaints about the outcome of that vote. (7 pages)

Comments (218)

DP
Registered an FCC complaint? This is proof that liberalism is a mental disorder.
Aw come on everyone. We should be kind and tolerant of the mentally challenged. They can't help themselves.
BEST COMMENT: "KillerBee321: If we excluded every woman who got pregnant and had a baby outside of marriage there would not be one liberal left standing. You people are sick." Come on now "Killer" aren't these open minded, love'n people, or are they showing their actual "hatefilledslimebagdarkside?" LOL. Didn't they tell us that we should be openminded and tolerant? LOL They are a comical blind pathetic lot who deserve every bit of their angst. LOL Now they rage at any and everything Palin. Gotta love them, pathetic perverts that they are. LOL, Ha, Ha, Ha, oh my sides ache.
More whining from that wacky breed called the dying left.
Gimme a break! Ms. Palin wasn't ever expected to make past week one. She was the pits! Yet, week after week, she progressively got better and better. Isn't that what this program is about? Brandy on the other hand, comes in, as an accomplished performer, expecting everyone to swoon over her, cry her way to the top and then use her piss poor acting abilities to make people believe she deserved this prize! She should have stepped it up a notch, instead of assuming she'd be there in the end. Congrats, Ms. Palin!
Since the viewing public is NOT qualified to actually judge a dancing contest, the producers regularly ask viewers to vote for their "favorite" dancer. Bristol was the favorite each week... Get over it! If there was any rigging of the vote involved, ABC caved to the screaming liberal harradans and rigged the vote to prevent Bristol from actually winning and causing a riot among the hate-filled and enraged liberals.
I wondered about that too kathkwits. She got the most votes every week until the libs went berserk when she made the finals. I'm kind of surprised that she finished 3rd. Placating ???
A few years ago a board certified psychiatrist wrote a book about liberalism being a clinical disorder. Here is a good example of this.
Yes and recently researchers found a defective gene that causes a propensity toward liberalism. I knew it had to be something like that. No one in their right mind would think the way they do.
it's true. on average they wet the bed until about age 35.
Actually, a more recent study proved there was such a thing as a "liberal gene". So you see? It's a genetic malfunction!
killerbee321 commented "If we excluded every woman who got pregnant and had a baby outside of marriage there would not be one liberal left standing" Another version: "If we excluded every woman who got pregnant outside of marriage and had an abortion there would not be one liberal left standing"
Well said and so true. To have a baby outside marriage is not the best idea, but after all it is a child and needs to be cared for and loved. It's those libs who kill their babies who will pay in the end. That fertilized seed is a child, so get over it, God knows! (they probably pay every day mourning over that selfish decision to kill their own child)
The look on Brandy's face when she was eliminated said it all. Brandy danced beautifully and although Palin improved during the course of the contest, she was not on a par with the pros. This comes down to a popularity contest with the danger of certain groups spamming the phone lines to favor a particular contestant. The judges' scores should carry MUCH MORE WEIGHT than the opinions of laymen if this is to be a viable contest! On the other hand, I believe Jennifer Gray deserved to win. She was the most accomplished overall.
Gee you sound like an Elitist Liberal. You do not want the people who watch the show to have any say, Hey Fool, the show is designed to bring people to watch it so that they can sell ads. (Good old fashion Capitalism) Look at how much attention the show got because of Bristol. She was a bigger draw then than a prima-dona singer or an aging actress. America loves the underdog and it was apparent in this show. If you want to complain about something, worry about who Democrats steal elections with voter fraud.
Brandy, although not a professional dancer, is a professional entertainer. All the partners are professionals teamed up with nonprofessionals. But if you have any experience at all with shows that have audience participation, you'll always have people getting further and/or knocking out those who are far better. Witness last year's American Idol where Adam Lambert got knocked out! I don't even remember the name (nor have I seen him since) of the winner. In that case, the winner was a Christian singer vice Adam who was gay. So did the winner win because Adam was gay? or because all Christians called in to vote against the gay? or because all Christians called in to vote for the Christian singer? These shows ARE popularity contests and call in voters are going to vote for who they LIKE, not who's the BEST. That liberals find this unacceptable is laughable, considering we all know the results of the '08 election! Need I say more?
"This comes down to a popularity contest..." Yeah, thanks for explaining the complicated nuances of the show to all of us.
Liberals don't have babies out of wedlock; they just kill the fetus.
Thank God... That should decrease their numbers eventually...
Mommy, Daddy...Washington, protect us from the Palins, they're not playing fair and the big kids at ABC are helping them. ...the childish dependence of so many is so evident its absolutely frightening.
The complaining people are the pitts! There are plenty of programs on TV that need to be reported for many reasons, but to take away from a young woman who did work hard to improve her dancing each week is beyond pale. Sure, she wasn't the best dancer, but she was NOT a professional which is what the show is all about, she improved, get over it. So she got preg and had a child. DUH? This is becoming the norm with too many young girls in today's immoral society. I think any girl with the balls to get out and speak against it knows first hand and maybe some of these gals out skrewing around should be more careful and the only sure way is abstinence. Sounds like a good message to me. I was lucky to have a moral mother who instilled in us good moral values from the get go. You people pointing fingers are probably the guilty ones for immoral values.
Anything that causes mean-spirited leftists to go so hysterical is great fun. Like Pavlovian dogs, they drool predictably when prompted by the slightest thing. Gotta love it. Hate on, losers! LOL
Say "Palin" and they salivate.
This is absolutely ridiculous. Doesn't anyone remember Marie Osmond a few seasons back? She was not very good either but she made it into the finals because of her fan base. It was the same for Bristol. The fact that people would actually write letters to the FCC about this is lunacy! Why didn't they get their friends together and all vote for a different dancer? It's always been that whomever has the biggest fan base along with their scores goes on to the next level, period! What crybabies.
Exactly!
"I want my Government to protect me the viewer from deceptive practices.”---SO, What would you have the GOVT do, come into your home and TURN OFF THE TV--!!!!!!! go get a life-!!, Oh Yeah!!, you watch DWTS, so you don't have a life, Maybe the GOVT could give you one.
Darn, I love you people with clear thinking. Duh? I never watched this stupid program until my mom told me how much Bristol had improved each week, so I made it a point to watch last 2 shows and voted for her. I do not belong to any group that got together secretly to vote for her, I did it on my own, my decision...............do you understand that? or do I need to type slower? for the complaining jokers to understand????
Well said, Ali...
I want my Government to protect me the viewer from deceptive practices.”---SO, What would you have the GOVT do, come into your home and TURN OFF THE TV--!!!!!!! go get a life-!!, Oh Yeah!!, you watch DWTS, so you don't have a life, Maybe the GOVT could give you one.
The fact that this is big news just shows how *** stupid Americans are.
hahaha....."white trash..???" Why are you libs SO obsessed with hating the Palin family? Does Sarah threaten you that much? I wonder if Al Franken had danced his way into the top 3 would there have been calls to the FCC? Amazing!
White trash? Look around the TV folks and see what WHITE TRASH is all about. No wonder our young people think this trashy stuff is normal, it's all they see on TV. The white trashy seems to be in the liberal catagory.
To quote Arte Johnson, "Verrrry Interesting." The show was nominally apolitical, but because the participant's MOTHER is politically active, spectators both pro and con are commenting almost exclusively from a political perspective. They betray their own political prejudices more strongly than they make any point they may have regarding the *show*. The old adage "When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything begins to look like a nail" seems to apply to people who can only understand the world in terms of a linear political spectrum.
I didnt watch the shows. I have no interest in seeing any Palin not to mention having no interest in Dancing With The Stars. With all the hype though I did watch a few online clips. Bristol looked like cheap white trash. No wonder she got knocked up. "The apple doesnt fall far from the tree".
I guess you people dont know how to read. Caligula - Did I praise Obamas mom or Obama for that matter? Belle - How is this liberal thinking? Libs love unwed pregnant teens. More for the welfare rolls and libs love handing out welfare. Ali - You think the Palins are a moral family? Have you read about all the emails from Todd Palin to government officials? Sarah was only a face. Todd was running Alaska. Have you seen Sarah out there parading her son with her at the tea party rallies? You think its moral to exploit children for political gain? And whats moral about Bristol putting on sleazy outfits and dancing before millions of viewers? Dont you remember Sarah resigning as governor saying her family needed her and politics was too stressful for her family? Sarah doesnt seem to be home with family much these days. Im not one of the apples Ali but I am angry. Im sick of all our elected officials and those positioning themselves for a run at office. We have NO good options. Sarah Palin certainly isnt one.
We know how to read behind the lines. And you sir, are a hypocrite. Plain and simple. Now go back to sleep and wait for your unemployment check.
Thank you for proving Belle's point, Harrykneecaps. You are as judgemental, self-righteous and intolerant as they come.
"No wonder she got knocked up" Kind of like Barack Obama's mom huh? By a man who was already married...I guess if the facts don't fit your agenda, you conveniently forget that they expose your hypocrisy.
Harry didn't watch the show but STILL had to come in and not only give a worthless comment, but typical liberal leftsided thinking, demeaned and insulted Bristol for the sole reason she's a Palin!!! Comments like this underscore how radical and intolerant the left has become, and proves once and for all, they can't be trusted. Bottom line is that their day came and went in the '08 elections evolving into total and complete failure and rather than correct their misguided attempts to change America, America has fought back and told them to get lost! The Progressive Left can't handle loosing their grip so they take it out on a teenager who has nothing to do with Obama's failures! Wake up and smell the coffee, folks! You won, you failed, and your days are numbered.
Bravo Belle, I applaude you. LOL, I enjoyed this.
Thanks Belle for telling that Harry how the cow ate the cabbage. His type who thinks we live in a world that the apple falling from the tree theory is applicable, just look around you. All families have problems with children whether the apple fell or not, but it takes a moral family to look past failures and learn from it. Harry is probably angry and points fingers because he was one of those apples and his life was ruined because he couldn't deal with it. get over it.
If we excluded every woman who got pregnant and had a baby outside of marriage there would not be one liberal left standing. You people are sick.
Yup, you said it best. Look at the "hollywood types" and see what pitiful lives they have. No wonder most of them are on drugs. Shhh, most of them are liberals. I'm really ashamed of Miley tho. The rest can do rehab the rest of their lives. I'm really sorry for Miley's parents.
Liberals don't have babies out of wedlock. They kill them in utero! Exclude those who've had abortions and you'll certainly find yourself standing alone in an empty field! This "outrage" of the left is typical hysterical mindlessness. They scream pro-choice and tolerance, yet when a teen makes a decision (her choice) to have the baby, the left goes beserk because that was the "wrong choice"! I applaud Bristol Palin for standing up to these ignorant idiots and tweeting back to them they it is THEY who have the problem, not her! She AND her mother are class acts. Actually, I'll take it a step further....Bristol's one of the bravest teens to come forward in years! Embarrassed by teen pregnancy, she stood her ground, had the baby and now talks to other teens warning them it's not a game. Then she gets on DWTS never having danced before in her life yet goes before a national audience to be judged. She's a stand up woman who should be admired, not admonished.
Bravo Belle, I wish there was a "like" button... I "like" your post... well said...
Most "reasonable" people understand mistakes in judgment happen. I also applaud the Palins for making a bad decision into a good learning experience Bristol can share with other young women. Real White Trash libs just kill the little problem and go on to do it over & over again while taking dope (just look at the Hollywood gals, get preg., abort, go on and do it again while flaunting their sick lives on all the teen magazines. Go after these sleezy gals with your sick accusations and leave decent people alone.
Yes. It would be interesting to know how many Hollywood "women" have had abortions simply because their agent told them that being pregnant or having a baby would "ruin" their "career". My guess would be Paris, Lindsey, Tara Reid...I'm sure the list goes on and on and on...
Palin Derangement Syndrome. ROTFLMAO How petty can Liberal/Progressives (L-P) get? Clearly they have no lives outside their plastic TV world. The L-P hysterical reaction to all things Palin, tickle me to no end. Rock-on baby!
From the above column: A Cerritos, California resident reported that the “physical contact” made by Inaba “sets the contestant up for thinking the judge will favor them. She was impartial to one and partial to the others.” Actually, the DWTS judge was PARTIAL to ONE (Miss Palin) and apparantly IMPARTIAL to the others.