Enough of the 'conspiracy' theories

There are so many websites I scan throughout the day for news.

Recently, these websites have been stoking the "controversies" surrounding ABC's "Dancing With The Stars."

One particular website I enjoy reading is www.mediaite.com.

The headline for the main story at the top of the page Wednesday morning read something like this:

"Bristol Palin Advances To Dancing With the Stars Finale -- Thanks To The Tea Party?"

The story discusses how Bristol Palin, daughter of Sarah Palin, landed at "the bottom of the leader board four times this season," and yet, found her way into the finals where she will face Jennifer Grey, famous for her role in "Dirty Dancing."

The theory in the article basically says there are people who are essentially stuffing the ballot with their call-in votes for dancers on the show.

What makes this any different than the exact same thing that takes place on the show, "American Idol," or any other show of this ilk?

They don't seem to be different at all, in my opinion.

When television gives the viewer an opportunity to vote in these types of contests, you're going to see this happen.

Besides, more than likely, this finale is exactly what producers of the show wanted to see.

Right now, if your last name is Palin, you equal ratings on television. Just take a look at the ratings for "Sarah Palin's Alaska," which debuted on The Learning Channel Sunday. The ratings were off the charts.

That's what television is all about.

Picking apart Bristol Palin's performances may be easy. Then again, it may not. Honestly, I have no idea since for one, we don't get an ABC feed at our home. In addition, even with an ABC feed, I'm quite certain I wouldn't spend my evening watching this show.

But does it really matter if Palin fans are calling, texting, or sending votes in via homing pigeon?

No. It doesn't.

That's the beauty of what is now called "Reality" television, something I've never been a fan of.

A few years ago, these type of shows were specials usually shown during the summer months.

I specifically remember watching something called "Battle of the Network Stars," as a child.

Oddly enough, this show was also on ABC.

Stars from the day took place in several competitions on this show, including swimming, kayaking, golf, tennis, cycling, the baseball dunk, running, the obstacle course and a tug-of-war. The inaugural show took place in 1976.

It was composed of teams from all three networks. For example, the ABC team was captained by Gabe Kaplan, and also included Lynda Carter, Farrah Fawcett, and Penny Marshall.

The CBS team was captained by Telly Savalas and included the likes of Mackenzie Philliips and Jimmie Walker, and the NBC team was captained by Robert Conrad and included Melissa Sue Anderson and Tim Matheson.

The shows were hosted by Howard Cosell.

This may have been the first "reality" television show that was not a game show.

I know this is going to sound bizarre, but I'd much rather watch "Knots Landing" than spend an hour watching "reality" television.

At least there's a story line.

But back to this entire conspiracy of Palin fans stuffing the ballot box on "Dancing With The Stars."

There are just as many websites currently out there begging people to protest ABC for letting this happen.

But the bottom line is this: All the recent hype surrounding this has done nothing but probably increase ratings for the show, giving the network, the show's producers and talent every reason to be laughing all the way to the bank.