'DWTS' Dirty Politics? Rage Behind Bristol Palin's Success Intensifies

Critics say politics are behind Bristol's success on "Dancing With the Stars."

ByABC News
November 16, 2010, 8:16 AM

Nov. 18, 2010— -- Forget "Dirty Dancing."

Dirty politics are behind Bristol Palin's success on "Dancing With the Stars," some viewers and critics contend.

Palin still has a chance to win it all, despite being consistently at the bottom of the leader board.

And that has some people suspicious, or even angry.

Wisconsin police say a man was so enraged after watching the ABC reality show Monday night that he shot his television set with a gun.

The incident sparked an all-night standoff with a SWAT team. He was in police custody during the results show Tuesday.

The daughter of former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin went toe-to-toe Monday with singer Brandy for a spot in the finals.

Dance and celebrity couples advance each week based on the combined total of judges' scores and votes from the public.

Brandy's performance was breathtaking with judges' scores to match, a sharp contrast to Palin's performance.

Brandy's not making the finals when the voting results were announced Tuesday came as a surprise to many people.

Many viewers have flooded ABC station phone lines and posted their dismay by the thousands online.

With comments noting that Palin's success is a "joke" and that the "tea party must have voted her in," many of the critics have vowed to stop watching the show.