MSNBC's Tucker Carlson dances with the stars to dead last: photos, video

[DeepModem Mom]

Media Bistro: ....After much anticipation, Tucker Carlson made his debut on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Before the performance began, there was the obligatory training montage ("Rocky" fever is catching on). Tucker expressed his "total confidence" and his belief that he was a cha cha master. Elena was a little less optimistic, saying that she'd be doing well just to get him to the next show. When asked what he wanted out of this show, Tucker determinedly said "Victory."

The actual performance went as well as could be expected. Tucker sat in a chair for most of the tune (a rendition of Martha and the Vandellas' "Dancing in the Street") while Elena did all the dancing. When Tucker finally got to his feet, it was apparent that he was really putting his heart into it. He wore simple attire -- khakis and a button-down white shirt (with the top button seductively unbuttoned, mind you). But it's not like anyone was paying attention to him with Elena gyrating around him. The audience recognized the effort with enthusiastic applause. The judges, however, were slightly underwhelmed....







More pics: http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlDC/television/team_tucker_the_performance_43728.asp

One judge awarded the pair a 5, one a 4, and the angry British one (a must-have on reality shows, apparently) awarded them a 3; but not before delivering encouragement like "What an awful mess" and "that was dreadful."

With a score of 12, Team Tucker found itself in last place at the end of the night, barely trailing shock television king Jerry Springer (maybe we shouldn't be surprised. Vegas had Tucker's odds at 21-1). Team Tucker is going to need some help from viewers if he wants to stick around for another show. We'll find out tonight if they got it.

For Tucker fans, details on how to vote are here and his voting line is 800-VOTE4-03 (800-868-3403).



http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlDC/television/team_tucker_dead_last_43713.asp

THANKS TO CRANKIE AVALON, VIDEO OF TUCKER'S PERFORMANCE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDcdrCghOno

[tularetom]

1. IIRC, Bugman Delay sent a letter urging a vote for some chick

that was going to be on this show. Anybody know how she did?

[borlis]

6. Her name is Sara Evans and she didn't do much better

than Tucker. The judges had her in 10th place (out of 11) after last night. DeLay was spouting about how she was the one who was morally right to vote for. :puke:

[AspenRose]

19. Springer said on his show earlier today she was apologizing for that

She claims she had no idea DeLay did that....hmmm...

[William769]

2. Glad to see his dancing is as good as his news reporting.

[ShortnFiery]

3. This Horse's Patootie isn't even fun to laugh at anymore.

I wish programming could be run like "The Gong Show" of the 70s and a huge HOOK would appear and drag Tucker Carlson off of our TV Screens, like FOREVER! At least his bow tie was amusing, but now he's just another RW Lunatic spewing Republican Talking Points at every given opportunity. :(

Go away M$NBC's Tucker Carlson! Oh, while you're at it :think:, take CNN's "Ugly American" White-Male (Glenn Beck) with you! :thumbsdown:

[Crankie Avalon]

4. Video of this douchebag trying to dance...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDcdrCghOno

I always knew he was a douchebag, but I guess I never quite imagined the full profundity of this jowly frat boy's douchiness until this moment.

On the other hand, that poor woman they assigned to try and carry him is something else--WOW!!! :loveya:

[immoderate]

5. As a child, I took lots of dancing lessons.

I was fascinated with dances that used props (chairs, stairs, ladders,) and suggested one time that we use chairs in a dance. My very old school teacher "fixed me with his steely gaze" and said, "First you learn to dance on your feet."

Tucker must have been pretty bad for them to resort to this. Maybe a body cast and a hospital bed might have helped.

On edit, having watched the video, I'll give Tucker credit, he did better than I thought, and really spent little time in the chair. But he is a natural klutz, and seems to have trouble walking gracefully. Simple "step-ball-change" is rough for him, especially getting his arms to swing right. Lots of credit to his partner, she accomplished a lot with so little to work with.

--IMM

[DeepModem Mom]

8. Thanks for an informed view, IMM! nt

[malaise]

7. My only interest in F_cker's dancing with

the 'stars' is awaiting Jon Stewart's skewing of this silly idiot.

[zbdent]

9. Tucker Carlson, the William Hung of "Dancing with the has-beens"

. . .

[DinahMoeHum]

10. Is Tucker Carlson acting like a fairy, or is he one in real life???

Fucking awful.

:evilgrin:

[Hugin]

11. I just threw up in my mouth a little...

Yick!

[emmadoggy]

12. I watched and was going to post about it as well...

But your post is much better than mine would have been! lol.

I was rooting for him to be the first contestant voted off before I even saw him dance. After seeing him dance, I am definitely rooting for him to be booted. lol.

Did anyone notice during the rehearsal footage that all of his pants were ridiculously short?? His nice little white socks were sticking out all the time! (You can see it in the bottom picture above).

I will say this about him though - I have watched both of the previous seasons of this show and believe it or not, he is not the worst dancer they have had. (His sitting in the chair, practically getting a lap dance for the first 20 seconds of the dance was a big indication of his lack of dance-ability though!) And I will give him credit for at least making the effort, and for seeming to be having a good time and laughing at himself.

That being said, though, I SOOOO hope he is voted off!!! :evilgrin:

[DeepModem Mom]

13. I have to admit I enjoyed it, too. I'd never seen the show...

but DeepModem Dad and I watched it last night, and got a lot of laughs out of it.

[never_get_over_it]

20. You should continue to watch

- it really is a good show - it is actually a lot of fun to watch them improve as the weeks go on

[Fleshdancer]

14. Springer's routine was hilarious

I was kind of hoping Tucker would shock us all with actual rhythm and sexy cuban motion just because it would be SO uncharacteristic but oh well. I wasn't holding my breath.

Springer was funny though...giving his partner a diamond bracelet at the beginning and throwing money in the air at the end like some creepy sugar daddy. Since he's not a strong dancer, it was smart to make a "story" out of the routine. His footwork wasn't too bad either given his complete lack of experience.

The thing I don't like about Dancing With the Stars is that a female celebrity can do an incredible job and still get lower marks then, say, Emmit Smith who just didn't do as well. The blond woman who called herself the "bad girl of pop" (whatever that means) did a great job but got lower scores. I think the decisions are based more on who the judges want to see back next week for ratings.

[emmadoggy]

15. I have a somewhat different take on it...

I think it's more that their scores reflect the level of surprise they have at how well someone does. Meaning, Emmit Smith's performance was actually pretty good and they were impressed and surprised by that so he got scores that were probably a little higher than they should have been. Whereas, they probably had higher expectations for the blond pop singer and so her scores were more a reflection of her actual performance. Does that make sense?? Plus, I think on some of the poorer performers, they sometimes give them a bit higher score (than the actual dancing warrants) IF they appear to be really giving a good effort, are able to draw in the crowd and give an entertaining performance, and show improvement each week. I think that's how Jerry Rice (and George Hamilton) was able to go so far last year - it certainly wasn't because he was one of the best dancers (well, of course, having a large fan base calling in helped him too). I also think that men generally have a tougher time being graceful dancers (all of the biggest clunkers on that show have been the male contestants) and so when one comes out and struggles through but gives an entertaining show, they cut them more slack. I'm not saying that that sort of judging is fair, but that's my take on how it happens. The judging system is very simplistic and not technical at all which tends to create these odd rankings at times.

To Emmit Smith's credit though, compared to the two previous "sports personalities" that they have had - Evander Holyfield and Jerry Rice - he was actually quite good. I was impressed. And Jerry Spring was awful, but actually did better than I expected, lol (and better than Tucker!). What was with the sash around the middle of his tux?? It was very weird and not a good look! :P

I agree with your disappointment in the judging though and wish they could come up with a system that is a bit more technical and fair. :shrug:

[never_get_over_it]

22. I agree with everything you said

except I'm not really too concerned with the scores especially since it was the first show - they do toughen up as time goes by - Jerry Springer did much better than I expected and he WAS entertaining - and George Hamilton like - George stayed around much longer last year than he probably should have because of his entertainment value and the people who called - also I was rooting very much for Jerry Rice last year becuase although he wasn't the best dancer he actually improved the most - the other two in the top three last year had previous dance experience.

In any event the show is great and I do think it is fun to watch the imporvement over the weeks.

I think Tucker or Sara will be gone tonight - I personally hope its Sara simply because Tom Delay is supporting her....Springer will stay because he probably got a ton of phone votes....

[Synnical]

28. You watched ABC?

Just asking.

[Fleshdancer]

32. yes.

I never signed on to the boycott.

[Synnical]

16. I just watched it over at Wonkette

Kinda creepy, if you ask me.

[Marie26]

17. I've GOT to see that. nt

[Swamp Rat]

18. "My name is Tucker Carlson. I'm a 'journalist'..."

:rofl:

[walldude]

21. What happened to the boycott of ABC??

Just askin...

[kevinbgoode]

23. Tucker Carlson is in desperate need of a gym membership

Honestly, this is the first time I've ever seen him...well, like standing up, moving around...and I should have guessed that another wingnut pretend macho-stud would actually end up looking and acting like a creampuff.

[AlCzervik]

24. oy, i saw clips of him on something and man he should never stand up

or at least he should get some proper fitting clothing.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

25. How does Tucker crlson keep getting work.

I mean, really, NO ONE likes him. Liberals think he's a smary ass and conservatives find him ineffective. How far can the man coast on having a big-name rigtwing daddy? it's not like he's bound for the presidency.

[truthseeker1]

27. Who's tucker's dad??

[Nikki Stone 1]

26. Hey, we should nominate Joe LIEBERMAN for this when he loses in November

He's gonna need a job and he's not much of a star either. :)

[Rex]

29. Tucker can't do anything right, he should stick with dancing!

Much better at it then political commentary. What a fucking loser.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

30. Olberman just called Tucker's chair riding a lap dance.

LMAO it was great. The chick was dancing in front of him while he was sitting dumbly in a chair. And he sucks.
Duckie

[Catchawave]

31. Olbermann just told Tucker

It's Lap Dancing with the Stars !

Back to the program...

Tuck's in the bottom 3, elimination coming up .... after the break...

[emmadoggy]

33. Yep. Tucker went down tonight...no surprise there...

What was funny was the little banter at the end where they talk about how much fun they had etc. etc. and Tucker said something to the effect that "this has really changed me." And host Tom Bergeron quips,
"What, you gonna starting voting Democratic??" :wow: :wow:

The conversation moved on quickly, but my jaw dropped and I was ROFL!!

:rofl:

[Blue_Roses]

34. All I can say about this after watching it is...

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: