Has Bristol Palin ruined 'Dancing with the Stars'?

Some say that her unlikely success as a reality-TV hoofer could change the series beyond all recognition

One fan was so outraged by Bristol Palin's progression to the "Dancing with the Stars" finals that he shot his television set.
(Image credit: abc.com)

Although she's gotten "consistently mediocre scores" from the judges, Bristol Palin will be taking to the floor in next week's "Dancing with the Stars" final — thanks, some say, to an army of Sarah Palin supporters who have voted her through. Her success has outraged fellow contestants and viewers, some even to the point of violence. "It's just been one of those seasons when surprising things happen," says the show's executive producer, Conrad Green. But after Bristol's controversial run, will the beloved reality show ever be the same again?

She's destroyed DWTS's credibility: "The show's going to suffer and very likely will have to rethink its rules going forward," says Scott Huver, an entertainment journalist, as quoted by Fox News. "Many dedicated viewers take the competition quite seriously," and the idea that one motivated group can "radically alter" the results will annoy those viewers, fuel media criticism, and likely drive the producers to look for "ways to keep the process 'pure.'"

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