I don’t watch much television since my husband died. When he was alive, we would watch programs and discuss them while watching them. Although that probably was a bad habit, it was something we did regularly and it never seemed to detract from the program. Without Bob here, I don’t have much interest in watching anything, and, instead, enjoy reading a good book.
But I have been very curious about all the talk of Bristol Palin and how she remained on the program “Dancing with the Stars” in spite of being the lowest rung of the ladder on the judges leader board.
The past two nights I decided to watch the finale of the shows.
There were many surprises for me: I did not realize how “chunky” she was; I didn’t realize what a whiner she was; I didn’t realize that she has very little of her mother’s winning personality; and I didn’t realize that she wanted to win so that she could “give a big middle finger to those that hate her and her mother.” I also didn’t realize that her appearance on the show boosted the ratings so much. I didn’t realize that she received death threats from fans in traceable emails, and that a man shot his television when Palin was not eliminated from the competition.
I didn’t realize that she was such a terrible, wooden dancer until I actually saw her “dance” the first night of the finale. She reminded me of someone that has had “botox” treatments and cannot smile or show expression.
And, finally, I didn’t realize that now she has had big offers for her own TV show – what in the world would she do? – that she has been offered many endorsement deals from large companies – I don’t buy any Martha Stewart product; you can believe that I would not purchase any “Bristol Palin” product either.
It is interesting to me to think that this professed Christian woman that so many seem to worship, is the mother of a child without benefit of the clergy and flaunted that fact; that young girls everywhere are trying to emulate this young lady; that stated that “God was on her side” during the competition; (God must have thought that she wasn’t that good because she isn’t blaming herself for not winning.)
It must have been the devil that made me watch the shows – at least the first part of them. I must admit that after watching the first 3 dances, each night, with the irritating number of commercials, I turned it off. It wasn’t until this morning that I found out who actually was the winner. But I did start reading a good book.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
The things you can realize from watching talentless nobodies on tv!
You think her mother has a winning personality? You lost me right there.
I think that her mother can wow people by her “emptyheadedness” – I don’t like her; I don’t support her; I won’t buy – or read – her book, but she has something that appeals to many people. That’s why she is such a danger to the American people. Her daughter, on the other hand, has none of those characteristics – and probably will appeal to the same people that her mother appeals to.
Zach – can’t watch too much of the talentless programs. Begin to feel very antsy.
Thanks, Judi. you said every single thing that was floating around in my head. But I didn’t have to watch the show…little news packages, with video clips of Bris dancing and voiceover info, interjected between announcements of N Korea firing missiles, got me all of the info you cited.
“Reality is merely an illusion, although a very persistent one”
-A. Einstein
Hi Dorothy, Glad I could shed some light on what you missed for the past few days. I would like to have heard more about the North Korea fiasco – I have a South Korean living with me and she says her parents are scared to death – but I have been amazed at how many people watch the program and don’t read – or listen to – the current news. I just want to know why not one newspaper jumped on her line about “giving the middle finger”…..Man, if that were one of Obama supporters we would hear about it clear into the election of 2012!
Annagrace, I remember the Tom DeLay show too. I wonder what dance he will do now that he is on his way to prison. The “chicken walk?”
Marcia, I agree with you assessment of the competitors on the program. It sickens me to think that Palin will be offered her own program. It is as obscene as the professional ball players making millions of dollars to entertain the masses – and I am a football fan! What a sad state of affairs we have become.
I refuse to watch DWTS last reason until it was the night of the finals and I did not have any interest to see it this season. The competitors are getting worst each season. I wonder who will be on next season, maybe Cheney or Bush? DWTS looks for washed up actors/actresses and so call famous people who did not make it. They showcase them in hopes that their career will somehow come alive again. I get to understand through the grapevine that mother Palin’s reality show (which she refuse to call it) was ok mainly because of the beauty of Alaska, other than that it’s just like most reality shows, no substance.
I cannot forget that other memorable moment on DWTS- Tom DeLay doing the samba. I can’t get the image out of my mind, but it is at least more bearable when I think of him performing “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” in the Big House.
True confessions Judi- the only things we watch are episodes of House and Rachel Maddow. There is nothing like turning to My Beloved and saying- “I am bleeding from the eyeballs. Now what?” That question applies to both programs.
She does have some legs.
So did, apparently, the news story about her dancing.
It’s sensationalism such as this that sometimes makes me want to throw away every drum I have, the skill of 40+ years of playing an instrument and go work in McDonald’s.
Then again, It also inspires me that perhaps someday people will become educated as to what constitutes “the real thing” and start taking it in by going to local events.
DWTS should be subtitled “The Great American Distraction”. I wouldn’t watch it even if it were court-ordered, but thank you for your sacrifice in venturing into “the shallow end of American Culture” and reporting back to us all, therefore sparing us all the indignity.
BillRay – don’t ever throw away the drums. In fact, you may need them to rally us all around the Torrey Pine tree that the city wants to remove. I have done my “duty” of sinking into the quick sand of “American Culture” to spare others, as you have so aptly said. I am hopeful that this ends my “tenure” and I can go back to watching the Lehr News Hour and Great Masterpieces without seeing the dribble on the other networks. (Oh yeah! I am sort of addicted to watching the Chargers when they are televised.) And besides – what would you do at McDonald’s?
I got a nice laugh from this post – thanks for sharing! I couldn’t bring myself to watch the dreadful show; I didn’t want to boost the ratings and be mistaken for supporting Bristol or her whack-job mother. Thanks for doing the dirty work for me.
So, what book did you start reading? I’m in need of a good one.
Hey, Annie, have you read “Life of Pi”? What a great read. A bit related to the recent case of the boys lost at sea for 50 days. The book has an excellent beginning too.
You are right Zach- it’s a terrific book, with a killer opening. We get to choose our “life narrative,” don’t we?
Annagrace, there’s something special about you. I can feel it in everything you write. Maybe you just choose words that I like. But yes, I agree, if we realize the pen of our life stories is in our hands, we can write adventures far beyond any novel, and far beyond our own capacity to retell them.
I hope yours are as good as mine have been. I’m tempted to believe they are. After all, look at that delightful photo you use. Let me leave you with this: The best moment isn’t in savoring what we know, but in finding savory experiences.
Zach- thank you so very much. It is early in the morning and I am warmed by your words- a great way to start a new day. Particular books seem to come into my life at the right time, when I need them most. Life of Pi is one of those books. They become regenerative forces that shape my internal life. Have you read Rebecca Solnit’s book The Field Guide to Getting Lost? It is non fiction and deeply intriguing.
What else is on your book list?
Morning for you is night for me! Now it’s my turn to be warmed by your words. I live in Beijing I but like to tune in to this particular pundit. Solnit’s book sounds like a pleasure, though it might be hard for me to come by here. It does remind me of an old poem of mine, not at hand, but the snippet goes: “happy is the elf who’s lost his way/for he’s always going home.”
As for books to recommend, it would really depend, but a truly fascinating layman’s history of intertwined concepts of light and science over the course of history is “Catching the Light,” by physicist Arthur Zajonc (“zy-ence,” charming). If you haven’t read the definitive biography of Edgar Cayce, “There is a River,” by Sugrue, that’s worthwhile. Also at the top of my list are “The Hajj,” by Uris, and “Spiritwalker,” by Wesselman, though his sequels weren’t as strong. If you haven’t read some of Golding’s (“Lord of the Flies”) other works, his oeuvre has many winners. Try “The Inheritors” and “Darkness Visible.” Blessings.
Hey Zach- how can I send you things? You are younger than I am but perhaps you have a moment to think about the words of T.S Eliot. I pull out my ancient text from 1968 and read: “Wipe your hand across your mouth, and laugh;
The worlds revolve like ancient women
Gathering fuel in vacant lots. (Preludes)
Truly- I will send you what you desire. Or as close to your desires as I can accommodate. And yes, I have read Lord of the Flies, and think often of Piggy….
You’re so kind to offer, Annagrace. Your gracious company is really all I want! I do wonder how you can know if I’m younger than you? Or is “everyone younger than you”? Isn’t everyone reading the OBRag getting a show! And how do you put your photo by your messages? I don’t see any button on the site for signing up or uploading a pic.
Zach on the side, if you would like your avatar to display on the OB Rag you can send it to me at obragblog (at) gmail (dot) com, or you can sign up for a global avatar at gravatar.com, that one will follow you across the web.
I may add a user upload button in the future, but I have been kinda wary about it.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments!