Five features for the Dancing with the Stars finalist! In one of the strangest American Morning shows yet, co-host Kiran Chetry and CNN correspondent Carol Costello elevated Bristol Palin, former governor Sarah Palin‘s daughter, almost to the status of America’s Princess. On a day when AM celebrated Great Britain’s Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton extensively, it likewise covered America’s Tea Party Princess Bristol Palin albeit with more caustic commentary.
On this surreal American Morning, Bristol appeared thrice in “Morning Talkers” (Kiran/John Roberts’ confab) as to her PSA with the Jersey Shore‘s Situation in an abstinence/safe-sex spot and twice in “Gut Check” (Carol’s report) as to her advancement to the final on ABC’s DWTS. However, this American Morning princess was not well received by either Kiran or Carol.
In the “Morning Talkers” segments, Kiran appeared loaded for bear, or the Mama Grizzly’s cub, at least. In the very first one, Kiran laughed that the single mom’s paean to abstinence was “jaw-dropping” and “painful to watch…(that’s why I wanted to bring it to you guys).”* In the next one, Kiran noted, that Bristol’s words were “cringe inducing” immediately before joyfully announcing that Michael Vick, convicted felon and animal abuser–incidentally, the quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, her husband Chris Knowles’ favorite team–appeared possibly headed for redemption as the NFL’s MVP this year.** Then, in the third and final one, Kiran scoffed at Bristol, saying, “Some fine acting….I think that people should practice what they preach about that.”***
[After Kiran made that acerbic remark about Bristol, co-anchor John Roberts told Kiran that her microphone was off. In reply Kiran replied, “Maybe, my mike was off for a reason: I couldn’t put my foot in my mouth.” Unfortunately for Kiran, she could: her audience was still able to hear her.]
In Carol’s “Gut Check” story (which aired twice),**** Bristol fared no better. When John segued to Carol’s report, he declared, “While the judges may not exactly love her moves, the television audience keeps pushing Palin through, leaving some people to wonder if, maybe, we’re witnessing a vast conservative conspiracy.” Leaving little doubt as to where she stood, Carol replied, “If Bristol Palin’s presence on Dancing with the Stars proves anything, it proves just how partisan we’ve become as a nation.” Darkly, she added, “I’m sure you’ve heard this: some believe the only reason Bristol Palin remains on Dancing with the Stars is because of the Tea Party/Republican conspiracy.”
AM‘s Bristol Palin: no common, ordinary girl.
*American Morning – 11/17/10 (@ 6:24 a.m. ET)
**American Morning – 11/17/10 (@ 7:25 a.m. ET)
***American Morning – 11/17/10 (@ 8:21 a.m. ET)
****American Morning – 11/17/10 (@ 6:32 a.m. ET)
****American Morning – 11/17/10 (@ 8:31 a.m. ET)
Tags: American Morning, Bristol Palin, Carol Costello, Chris Knowles, CNN, Dancing with the Stars, Jersey Shore, John Roberts, Kate Middleton, Kiran Chetry, Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles, Prince William, Sarah Palin, Situation
Carpe Diem 
November 18, 2010 at 4:32 am
Torture and kill dogs by drowning, electrocution, or slamming them on the ground many times over. Why won’t this thing die? No problem. Score 60 points for your fantasy league and all is forgiven. It’s cool. Hey, everone deserves a second chance. Vick proved God is on his side by pointing to the sky while scoring a touchdown. Now who can argue with that?
November 18, 2010 at 12:17 pm
I watched CNN AM yesterday. There was no attack on Bristol Palin at all.
After the PSA was played, Kiran looks over at John, who was covering his face with his hand, then remarks that the COMMERCIAL was “cringe inducing”. She never singled anyone out.
If you watch the Situation/Bristol PSA, which is rather cheesy, you’ll understand the reaction.
The gist of Carol Costello’s segment, was how the Left & Right can’t resist turning even a reality TV dance competition into a political debate.
November 18, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Just who does this Chetry woman think she is? She acts like she’s Bristol Palin’s Almighty Judge. Kiran has a bad case of Palin Derangement Syndrome.
Kiran might want to start practicing what she preaches before pointing fingers at others. Liberals like to accuse conservatives of being so judgemental, but as we can see once again, they’re the ones constantly passing judgement.
November 20, 2010 at 12:57 am
Didn’t see AM’s programme that morning so I really can’t comment about what was actually said. I can say, however, that Len’s take on it seems more plausible. But if Jake’s take is is accurate then Ms. Chetry is worthless as a news anchor and should perhaps head over to ONN.
November 25, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Len, Kiran’s statements were clearly aimed at Bristol. Her remarks, i.e., “jaw-dropping,” “painful to watch,” “cringe inducing,”–not to mention, her comment, “Some fine acting….I think that people should practice what they preach”– were obvious acrid references to Bristol’s having a child out of wedlock and having the “temerity” to still do an abstinence-advocacy PSA.
Al, unfortunately, you did not watch the show to see for yourself. As to Kiran, she surely is not “worthless as a news anchor” but she could have been more discerning and charitable in her comments. Even she seemed to admit that: When John told her that her microphone was off after she had sniped, “practice what you preach,” Kiran stated, “Maybe, my mike was off for a reason: I couldn’t put my foot in my mouth.”