I have been away for some time. So many things have hit my mind to add here, but I was in the middle of other projects so I didn't get out my laptop. However, I have some time tonight and I am truly appalled.
I am a big fan of the show Dancing With The Stars. I have watched for quite some time now. Through the years there have been many "stars" on the show that I liked, several I didn't like, and some I had NO idea who they were until they competed on this show. I, however, have always looked at it as a form of entertainment; not a statement on our life. Although it is firmly added to our "pop culture".
First of all, there have always been fan groups backing a certain star, especially when it came down to the finals. There have been comments made about some stars having specific dance experience and the fairness of including them in the competition. The last couple of seasons, there discussions regarding if the "stars" were really "stars". Obviously some "stars" are only asked to compete for the potential ratings they will bring. We've all loved to specualte on the single pros and stars having off screen love affairs, and been overly interested in the ones that actually do become couples. Was the chemistry between Chad and Cheryl really just for show? :)
However, this season I think we are seeing a new level of hatred from the public. It is WAY beyond what is necessary for people (even if they are stars) to endure. First, these stars come with a certain amount of following, that is why they are asked to be on the show. Stars then pick up/loose followers based on how they do during the competition and the personality they project. Now, some of the personality projected to the fans is based on what the producers display from the clips taken during rehearsals. They have the ability to edit comments and situations to show what they want to show about a star.
I had my favorites this year. I am a child of the 80's. I wore out my cassette tape of the Dirty Dancing soundtrack (then later bought the CD version) and still love that music today; so Jennifer Grey was an early favorite for me. I've gotten sick of the "feel sorry for me" but I do enjoy her dancing. I thought Rick Fox was great going into the season and was disappointed when he left. I have always respected the player and mostly the person Kurt Warner is, so I was rooting for him. I thought he was a true gentlemen at elimination; sad as it was. Brandy, well, I always liked her music and figured she would do well. I saw her drive and determination. I became worried that comments made by her and Maks on Twitter would affect her following. I mean we all grew up with Mama Brady, so can you really cheer against her, but I never really believed she would win and most of her fan base isn't the people calling/texting and logging on. I was hopeful that Bristol Palin would get to show she has her own personality and not be judged by the those who hate her mother. I never believed she would make it this far, and was just impressed she wasn't the first to go home, because she wasn't the worst of the 11. David Hasselhoff - well, I really didn't know what to think about him other than I was sure it would prove interesting. Michael Bolton was an intersting choice and I was just suprised that he was agreeing to participate. I had heard of the remaining contestants but didn't really know much more then their name and why they had some level of fame. I have, however, come to enjoy Kyle's performances and really thought Audrina had some ability, but didn't really get compelled to vote for her.
First, Tom tweets after voting in week 1 that he was suprised by the star that would be leaving. Well, I wasn't because "The Hoff" was without rythm, grace, or fans that would vote for him. People just didn't like him after the drunken cheeseburger video. The next week Bruno goes off on Michael Bolten. DWTS producers ate up the buzz it created and, therefore, Bruno was not required to apologize. However, the world saw that Michael Bolten has tremendously more character in his little finger than Bruno has by bailing out a DWTS results show. His performance was beautiful. Let's not forget the whole "Boo Gate", when people thought Sarah was being booed. A couple weeks later the controversay over Bristol starts when Florence, Audrina, Rick, Kurt, and Brandy were all eliminated before Bristol. Then there was the disagreement in scoring by Maks and Carrie Anne that was thrown in there too.
Now, the haters are alive and well. Claims that Sarah Palin is buying votes for her daughter. Seriously?!?! Do people really think Sarah has that much money or power? I am PRAYING that the voting has nothing to do with political party. I am sickened that there is more converstaion over Bristol's dancing than there was over electing representaives to congress that will improve this nation (regardless of political party). The sad thing is that as Bristol has lasted in the competition it has gotten worse and the worse it gets the more determined her supporters are. Also, let's not forget, at this stage of the show the pros have a following too. I believe Jimmy Kimmel is an jack@$$ for trying to get one of the celebs (star or pro) to say something bad about Bristol and/or the Palin family on his show.
All of this was just sad until last night. I follow some of my favorite stars and pros on Twitter. I read tweets to Erin Andrews stating that her comments caused Brandy to loose and that she was the worst thing that had ever happened to Maks. I saw tweets to Louis Van Amstel that harrassed him for his lack of support to Bristol. I saw political statements made to Carrie Anne about hatred for Bristol. I saw tweets to Mark Ballas that were nothing but HATE aimed at him because he is Bristol's partner. Some guy in WI shot his TV - at least this guy is diagnosed bi-polar and has that to explain his behavior. This is UNCALLED FOR!! People are looking for a reason to be offended. I even had some random person cuss at me on Twitter for saying I didn't like all the bullying being passed around the internet about DWTS. I can't imagine how these people truly under attack feel. They are being attacked personally because of a dancing show!!!
So people, DWTS is TV. Accept that. Watch and vote for your favorite. The producers assemble a cast of people with all levels of dancing experience and fan following in hopes of good ratings. Each week someone is voted off the show, mainly based on fan vote. If you don't like what is on the show, CHANGE THE CHANNEL. It is not necessary to believe that Sarah Palin is rigging the vote or that DWTS is any way affilitate with either political party. If memory serves me all of the major news affiliates, including ABC, were decidedly Obama in the 2008 elections so I think they have some fondness for democrats too. Believing that they are suddenly for republicans is just weird. It isn't about our government - it's about entertainment and ratings and ABC executives making money. The producers of DWTS may rig votes for ratings, but I think Sarah Palin is more focused on getting Tea Party represetatives into public office (and not always the best idea in my opinion - that means you Rand Paul).
I am saddened that we live in times where people are attacked for doing their jobs (sorry Mark), for who their friends are (sorry Erin), and who their family is (sorry Bristol). I think all of the stars who agree to do this show deserve respect because they lay themselves on the line and give up their lives for our entertainment. They go through a physical and emotional journey, especially if they truly compete to win. People need to GET A GRIP! Get fired up about getting the economy out of the toliet, demand that companies quit paying big bonuses to executives for meeting budgets by laying off employees, and follow God and the Bible with the same conviction you do DWTS.
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