The video: In what some commentators waggishly call a "striptease," Bristol Palin made her widely dreaded debut on ABC's hit "Dancing with the Stars" last night (see clip below), competing against such luminaries as David Hasselhoff and MTV's "The Situation." Billed as a "teen activist," Bristol first appeared in a conservative suit, aping her mother's style, before coyly revealing a fringed red dress and launching into a cha-cha-cha with her professional partner, Mark Ballas, to earn a middling 18 out of 30 from the show's judges.
The reaction: Despite the "hideous, matronly suit," Bristol was "not terrible," says Natalie Finn at E!, Unlike last year's "stunt contestant" Kate Gosselin, Bristol has "a cute figure, plenty of shakeable assets" and a discernible sense of rhythm. Bristol did rather well, says Linda Holmes at NPR, considering the embarrassing challenges of being commanded to "shimmy." Still, says Gawker's Matt Cherette, "Palin is about as good at dancing as she is at using contraception." She "appeared frightened and frumpy around the stage," and her moves consisted of "[shaking] her finger at somebody, and—yeah, that's about it." Watch for yourself:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
5 slow on the draw cartoons about Democrats' response to TrumpCartoons Artists take on taking a stand, staying still as a statue, and more
-
A road trip through ZimbabweThe Week Recommends The country is 'friendly and relaxed', with plenty to see for those who wish to explore
-
The assassination of Malcolm XThe Explainer The civil rights leader gave furious clarity to black anger in the 1960s, but like several of his contemporaries met with a violent end
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
US election: who the billionaires are backingThe Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
-
US election: where things stand with one week to goThe Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala HarrisThe Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockadeSpeed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
