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BRISTOL PALIN, MARK BALLAS
ABC
Bristol Palin delivered another respectable dance Monday night — this time the quickstep — and mom Sarah was in the audience to cheer her on.
By
TODAY contributor
updated 9/27/2010 11:31:17 PM ET 2010-09-28T03:31:17
recap

The ballroom got busy Monday night as “Dancing With the Stars” featured two of the most upbeat and unforgiving dances to ever hit the stage. In dueling quicksteps and jives, the stars (along with Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and Audrina Patridge — snap!) showed what a difference a week made.

But who cares about that? It may be a dancing show, but this week the big action wasn’t about the moves or even the quasi-stars. (Hey, Bristol Palin!) This week the competition turned its focus to a complete non-dancer. (Hey, Bristol Palin’s mom!)

Yes, Sarah Palin received more off-the-floor camera time than any other celeb in sight. From stage-side commentary to back-home video, the elder Palin stole the spotlight, and from the sound of things, not everyone appreciated it.

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Or not. It’s hard to say for sure, but it seemed as though members of the audience banded together for a few big boos. The only question is whether or not they were really aimed at the “Mama Grizzly” or at the judges.

The confusion came shortly after the competition’s clear front-runner, Jennifer Grey, wowed the crowd for the second week in a row with jive that proved her Viennese waltz was no fluke. The actress can dance. The fact that she can pull off an up-tempo, almost flub-free jumping routine at 50 years old and with a metal plate in her neck just makes it all the more impressive. It was worth every one of the 24 points head judge Len Goodman and his pals on the panel gave her — maybe even more.

Vote: Rate the dancers (on this page)

A few moments after Grey got her scores, the groans came from the gallery. The actress wondered aloud what it was all about.

Cut to the former governor of Alaska seated next to host Tom Bergeron.

Were the vocal audience members bashing the judges for not giving “Baby” her ballroom due with an even higher score, or were they making a political statement? Maybe they just didn’t want any more dance-floor distractions. Politics or no, filler is filler.

Video: Melissa Rycroft on her 'Dancing' pick (on this page)

Either way, booers had plenty other opportunities to have their muffled moans heard, if only they had taken them. Forget Palin Sr. and the panel. What about the younger “teen activist” Palin, who despite the rave reviews she got from judges, performed a slow and slightly dazed quickstep?

Story: 'Jersey' cast supports 'Situation's' 'DWTS' effort

Then there was boo-worthy ballroom blunderer Michael Bolton. His “Hound Dog” jive, complete with a literal crawl from a dog house, was a huge mess. It wasn’t just the worst jive of the night. According to judge Bruno Tonioli, it was the worst jive in the history of the show — which would explain Tonioli’s use of the elusive “3” paddle. Seriously, no one has seen a three since Steve Wozniak sambaed his way to shame back in season eight.

Was Bolton's jive worse than Master P's paso doble?

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Slideshow: 'Dancing With the Stars' season 11 (on this page)

But perhaps the best of the boos-that-might-have-been could have been aimed at co-host Brooke Burke who, in a true Samantha Harris 2.0 nonsensical moment, told a quickstep-worn 76-year-old Florence Henderson that “Everybody is so impressed with your beautiful age.” Really?

Booo-urke.

Ree Hines gives her requisite boo to Brandy, who needs to step up her dance-floor game if she’s going to keep pro partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, around. Follow @ReeHines on Twitter and share your take on the ballroom bash.

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Video: Bristol Palin's second DWTS performance

Vote: Rate the dancers

How did the celebrities do? Score their performances along with the judges.

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Photos: 'Dancing With the Stars' season 11

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  1. Bristol Palin

    Bristol Palin, former first daughter of Alaska, first entered the national spotlight when her mother, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, was selected to be John McCain’s runningmate in the 2008 Presidential election. After giving birth to her son, Tripp, and becoming a single teen mother in 2008, she became a spokesperson for the prevention of teen pregnancy and for other teen issues. Palin recently guest starred as herself on an episode of ABC Family’s "The Secret Life of the American Teenager." Her partner is Mark Ballas. (Bob D'Amico / ABC) Back to slideshow navigation
  2. Kurt Warner

    Kurt Warner is the first quarterback to participate on "Dancing with the Stars." In 1999, led the St. Louis Rams to a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV. He eventually moved on from the Rams to the Giants and finally to the Arizona Cardinals in 2005. In 2007 he led the Cardinals to their first ever Super Bowl and was voted to his fourth Pro Bowl. He is partnered with Anna Trebunskaya. (Bob D'Amico / ABC) Back to slideshow navigation
  3. Jennifer Grey

    Nobody puts Jennifer Grey in a corner! Grey starred as Frances "Baby" Houseman in the iconic 1987 box office hit "Dirty Dancing" with the late Patrick Swayze. Some of her other films include "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Red Dawn" and "The Cotton Club." Her partner is Derek Hough. (Bob D'Amico / ABC) Back to slideshow navigation
  4. Kyle Massey

    Kyle Massey stars as Cory Baxter in the Disney Channel sitcom, "Cory in the House." He originated the role of Cory in Disney's "That’s So Raven," the first show in Disney's history to produce over 100 episodes. He will partner with Lacey Schwimmer. (Bob D'Amico / ABC) Back to slideshow navigation
  5. Rick Fox

    A three-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, actor and producer Rick Fox has appeared in a number of film and television projects, sharing the screen with actors ranging from Whoopi Goldberg to Henry Winkler, Angela Bassett and Shia LeBeouf. His partner is Cheryl Burke. (Bob D'Amico / ABC) Back to slideshow navigation
  6. Brandy

    Brandy is a platinum-selling R&B and pop singer, actress, songwriter and record/television producer. In 1994, at the age of 15, Brandy released her eponymous debut album, selling over 6 million copies. She is currently filming Season 2 of the VH1 reality show "Brandy and Ray J: a Family Business." She will dance with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. (Bob D'Amico / ABC) Back to slideshow navigation
  7. Michael Bolton

    He can sing, but can he dance? Michael Bolton has sold more than 53 million records, released 18 studio albums, won multiple Grammys for Best Male Vocalist and countless other honors, all while selling out arenas worldwide. His partner is Chelsie Hightower. (Bob D'Amico / ABC) Back to slideshow navigation
  8. Florence Henderson

    Florence Henderson will always be best known in syndication worldwide as "America's Favorite Mom" and matriarch Carol Brady on the classic TV series "The Brady Bunch," which aired for five seasons (1969-1974). Henderson has been a celebrity spokeswoman for Oldsmobile, Tang, Polident, Rain Soft, Pepsi Light and Wesson Oil and maintains a busy schedule as a sought after motivational speaker. She will be partnered with Corky Ballas. (Bob D'Amico / ABC) Back to slideshow navigation
  9. Margaret Cho

    Comedian Margaret Cho first performed stand-up in her native San Francisco at the age of 16. Her best-selling tours include the off-Broadway hit/concert film "I’m the One That I Want," "Notorious C.H.O.," "Revolution" and "Beautiful." She is also a regular cast member of the Lifetime series "Drop Dead Diva." She will dance with Louis Van Amstel. (Bob D'Amico / ABC) Back to slideshow navigation
  10. David Hasselhoff

    Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as "The Most Watched TV Star in the World," David Hasselhoff has gained international fame in music, television and film. Hasselhoff got his start in entertainment on the soap opera "The Young and the Restless" and was pursued to play the lead role of the 1980's cult favorite, "Knight Rider." His famed skyrocketed thanks to 11 years in a swimsuit on "Baywatch." Don’t hassel the Hoff! He will dance with Kym Johnson. (Bob D'Amico / ABC) Back to slideshow navigation
  11. Audrina Patridge

    Audrina Patridge starred in six seasons of the MTV reality series "The Hills." The aspiring actress made her debut on the big screen last fall in the thriller "Sorority Row." Other film credits include "Into the Blue 2" and "Honey 2." Last summer, Patridge made headlines steaming up TV screens in a commercial for Carl’s Jr. Her partner is Tony Dovolani.. (Bob D'Amico / ABC) Back to slideshow navigation
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Discuss: Who was the audience booing?

Jennifer Grey owned the dance floor again, but were her scores too low? Or were the disapprovals really aimed at Sarah Palin?

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