Was Sarah Palin booed on 'Dancing With the Stars'? [Updated]

Was Sarah Palin booed at "Dancing With the Stars"?

The former Alaska governor visited the show during Monday night's episode to cheer on her 19-year-old daughter, Bristol, who is appearing as a contestant. Just before host Tom Bergeron sat down to chat with the elder Palin on-camera, the studio audience was heard erupting into a loud chorus of boos. The timing led many viewers on Twitter and elsewhere to conclude that the hostile reception was directed at Palin, a conservative leader and polarizing force in American politics.

But ABC says the booing wasn't directed at Palin. Instead, the network said, the crowd was upset that Jennifer Grey, the former "Dirty Dancing" star who performed immediately before Bristol Palin, got only a trio of 8s from the judges, even though the routine she did with partner Derek Hough was a clear audience favorite. (They might have spared themselves the trouble, as Grey and Hough emerged with the evening's top score anyway.)

[For the record at 7:04 a.m.: An earlier version of this post stated that Jennifer Grey's partner is Mark Ballas. It is Derek Hough.]

"They were just expressing their feelings about a really, really good dance," a network spokeswoman said. "It's not at all unusual."

Judge for yourself by looking at the video here.

-- Scott Collins

Photo: Mark Ballas, Bristol Palin and Brooke Burke on "Dancing With the Stars" Credit: Adam Larkey / ABC

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Comments

[Bush Destroyed America]

No that's not at all true, I know a few people that were there anbd it was definitely meant for Palin.

[that1guy]

Couldn't they be doing both?

[Rina]

The ABC producers were right. Everyone heard boos, after Jennifer Grey performance and scores. When host did interview with Sarah Palin, there where no boos heard at all. Media should stop to make something big from nothing. Media attacks on Sarah Palin is ridiculous. Leave the women alone, she just enjoyed her daughter performance.

[Janet D]

Her partner was actually Derek Hough not Mark Ballas and Bristol performed last (5 routines after Grey)

[alan milby]

ABC is just trying to cover their butt. Every one who saw the show. Knows that the scoring was well over. Liberals can sure lie well.

[John]

I'm supposed to believe a network spokesman that a polarizing figure, who had a spotlight put on her (literally), at the same moment booing began, was for score of a routine?

"It's not all that unusual?" Wrong, yes it was. The booing from audiences has never been that delayed. To dismiss it as that is insulting to the viewing audience. Really, the show doesn't have that much going for it in the first place. Some in your live audience didn't like Sarah Palin. Done. Be an adult about it.

Just watch Bruno's gestures toward Palin when they cut to the judges during the interview and tell me they were booing for for a score. I guess any controversy would get in the way of all the in show commercials. Tell me again when "No Ordinary Family" is on.

[Wesley]

It's unreal how many times I've seen this story reported as fact today already. I saw the tape and read an account by an entertainment reporter who was there. He said the boos were directed at the judges.
It scares me how willing the media is to spread rumors and lies about his woman. They have tried to destroy her for two years.
No free press, no free country.
Stop doing Obama's bidding, media

[Chad]

First off, Jennifer was dancing with Derrick, not Mark and second, the audience boos were really delayed if it was for the scores

[Jaycee Andrews]

I think that regardless of wether or not Sarah Palin was being booed, it is disrespectful. She was just trying to support her daughter, and have a good night out. Im sure Bristol was hurt by these actions. I feel bad for her, because she is just trying to enjoy this experience.

[Marianne]

I will not be watching Dancing with the Stars this year, by having Bristel Palin and her Mother on there they have now become political and I can't stand to see Sarah Palin one more time. Sorry I have been a fan of the show for all of the past seasons but not this one.

[Granitepaw]

Boy, you really have to twist things to make this into an anti-Palin deal. The audience clearly was booing the judges and they should of been booed. Jennifer Grey did a tremendous joband deserved higher scores.

Everyone who was there said there was no booing for Governor Palin and there was applause. It is sad that politicians cannot even let a person relax and enjoy their family in nonpolitical settings.

[Cindy Stiers]

I think if that boo was for Sarah Palin that was totally uncalled for and shows how low some of our people have come, esp. a crowd of people who should have some class in the audience. She was there as a mother and she had two children there. This was not a political rally. Shame on you who booed, I hope this was not for her. A loving mother and her family deserves respect.

[Tom]

I was there in the crowd. It was DEFINITELY meant for Palin! It was the crowds initial reaction, and then they started flashing the applause sign so everyone clapped like we were instructed to do.

[LeeVon]

Sarah Palin was not booed. It was the score from the judges that they gave Jennifer Gray. The media will make up anything to make Sarah Palin look bad. You can see by the applause when Sarah Palin is introduced that there was no booing. C'mon media, quit making things up!

[Granitepaw]

Boy, you really have to twist things to make this into an anti-Palin deal. The audience clearly was booing the judges and they should of been booed. Jennifer Grey did a tremendous joband deserved higher scores.

Everyone who was there said there was no booing for Governor Palin and there was applause. It is sad that politicians cannot even let a person relax and enjoy their family in nonpolitical settings.

[TC]

dumas. u got nothing better to do than come here and spread your lies? I was there and it was NOT for Palin, but the crowds upset over Jennifers dance scores.

Get a grip ya hate monger. Get out in real life more.

[Granitepaw]

Boy, you really have to twist things to make this into an anti-Palin deal. The audience clearly was booing the judges and they should of been booed. Jennifer Grey did a tremendous job and deserved higher scores.

Everyone who was there said there was no booing for Governor Palin and there was applause. It is sad that politicians cannot even let a person relax and enjoy their family in nonpolitical settings.

[Gipper1980]

BDA, you revealed your tell. Had you taken another, less innocuous moniker, you might have gotten away with it. But your tag shows which side of the political spectrum you're from.
Bush Destroyed America? Are you serious? How can you say that in view of the Clinton debacle? While I disliked some things Bush did (and, yes, I voted for him), he can hardly be blamed for destroying our Nation. Under a Democrat Congressional majority, we've seen more government intrusion into our lives than at any time prior to the current Administration.
With BHO at the helm, our Country is headed into Socialist territory.
If you believe the boos were directed toward Sarah Palin, it's only your wishful thinking.

[carrieoki]

Unlike ABC & the DWTS judges w/ Bristle, we are not afraid of her mother's followers. We, the voting public, will be very happy to vote Sarah Palin off the U.S. stage.
Palin, those boos were representative of what the majority of Americans think of you, your surrogates, and what you stand for.

[RogerCotton]

Was Obama booed on "Dancing with the Stars"!?!?!?

Put some nonsense out there, just to cast aspersions, then update later with a correction.

Typical.