Tom Bergeron to Bristol Palin Conspiracy Theorists: 'F*ck You.'
After a dozen years of consistent emceeing, Tom Bergeron remains one of TV's best and funniest hosts. On Hollywood Squares he traded spicy innuendos with Whoopi Goldberg, and as the host of Dancing with the Stars and America's Funniest Videos he lends a stately air to glitzy proceedings. We caught up with the Emmy-winning Massachusetts native to discuss his favorite funny people, hosting nightmares, and his impatience with Bristol Palin conspiracy theorists.
You have a really smart, droll hosting style that's caught on with America for years. Not to denigrate America's intelligence, but are you surprised by that?
You know, I don't really think about it in terms of having a style. I just kind of basically amuse myself and it usually strikes me as fairly infantile. I'm glad you think it's smart! Particularly with live TV, I have a really good time reacting in the moment to things that are going on around me. I try to think of the viewers' perspective too. If something looks silly to me, I'm guessing it probably looks silly to the viewer and there's no harm in pointing that out. Having said that, on the dancing show, I'm very protective of the couples and the effort they put forth. Everything else is fair game -- the spray tans, the glitter, the extremes of kitsch that we employ. But it seems to work anyway. I think there's an underlying respect for the show that's obvious, and from that foundation I can then poke fun at some of the more extreme elements.
Which couples on Dancing with the Stars have you felt compelled to defend this season or in past seasons?
Nobody in particular, but in general it'll be at any point where I think the judges are going after them and being either unfair or inconsistent in what they're saying to one couple versus another. Sometimes I get it completely wrong. Last week was a case in point where Carrie Ann [Inaba] justly criticized Maksim [Chmerkovskiy], and Brandy and Maks got indignant. They went back and forth, and then Len said, "Your dance was full of this, full of that, full of this," and he was being complimentary. And I said, "But what did you think Carrie Ann was full of?" It was a straight line to swing at, but he used it as an opportunity to defend what Carrie Ann had said, and he kind of put us all in our place. "You two may have had words," meaning Maks and Carrie Ann, "but in fact she had a valid point." That's one of the things the judges know that I'll go at them for if I feel like they're being unfair. They, in turn, have reasons for what they're saying. They're happy to defend themselves.
Is it easy to stay in that hosting zone of dry, diplomatic commentary?
Yeah, I think so. It's interesting to have a friend's perspective on it. Last night Jeff Probst from Survivor was at the show with his mom and his girlfriend. We all went to dinner afterward, and Jeff was saying, "You know, I was watching you" -- we worked together years ago in New York at FX cable -- "It was interesting watching you. You keep the same pace throughout." I knew what he meant. My internal rhythm when I'm doing the show live is to just be sort of watchful. To be listening to everything and not pre-judge where I'm going to go or how I'm going to react, to react honestly in the moment. It's sort of a constant energy, a radar that's turning from one direction to the other. So my reactions tend to be very genuine. I try to make them funny in some cases or when I'm congratulating a couple, I'll try to say something other than just "Good job." Sometimes I'll fall back on that canard though. But there is kind of a mindset I get into when I'm out there, which I kind of like. It's a plugged-in zone I get into -- and I don't know if I answered your question, but there we go!
Would agree that your hosting style is Sajak-ian?
Sajakian. What would that mean?
Well, Pat Sajak keeps a very constant flow, but there's an underlying current of very subversive humor occurring at all times.
Yeah, I think that's fair. No disrespect to Pat, but my video mentor was always [Johnny] Carson. Carson always had complete control on his show and could be supportive and withering. I think Sajak definitely has that quality, and on a show he's done for years. Having done Hollywood Squares, I know that's like five shows a day for I don't know how many days in a row. So it's kind of good to get into a zone where you can wink-wink, nudge-nudge to the viewer occasionally.
Do you miss the old-school, five-a-day grind of game shows at all?
No, I don't. Hollywood Squares was my first, and thus far only, game show. It was a fun format and an interesting time. I had these nine stars to play off, so a lot of my desire to improv came off of that. But I really like and prefer actual live television. This is a great little sandbox for me to play in.
You clearly appreciate funny, off-the-cuff people. Who's the funniest comic foil you've gotten to work with on TV?
That's a really good question. One of my favorites early on when I was doing a show on FX and then on Fox for a season was -- she was the first name who came to mind when you asked that question -- Bonnie Hunt, who is, like you said, smart-funny. I love working with smart-funny people. Just going back and forth and having that kind of rapport. John Ritter was like that, and he was a friend. It was a pleasure to be in that kind of company. There are a number of people that I've had the real benefit of playing with and making laugh. I remember sitting one time at Hollywood Squares -- we'd do three shows, break for lunch, and then do two -- and during one of those lunch breaks there were four of us sitting on the couches. It was me, Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, and Tim Conway. I was in heaven. I was in heaven not only picking their brains, but making them laugh. It was such a treat. Whenever I could make Carol or Tim or Harvey laugh, that was like a gold star on my report card.
You won the Daytime Emmy for game show hosting, but you tied with Bob Barker. Was that bizarre?
Well, what felt more bizarre than winning in a tie was winning at all. That was the year that Millionaire was so big on ABC. Because they didn't have a category in the Primetime Emmys in those days for hosting, they put Regis into the Daytime Emmys even though it was a primetime show. The show was so big, he rescued the network. The expectation was that he was going to win. When they announced that category and said, "We have a tie!" and the first winner they said was Bob Barker, we all assumed the next name they'd say would be Regis. When they said my name -- maybe it's on YouTube -- the look of shock on my face was genuine. I just had no expectation. I went up and looked at Regis sitting in the front row with Michael Eisner, who ran Disney at the time, and I said, "Don't feel bad, Regis, Eisner's buying you the Statue of Liberty." Because he really saved the network. I was stunned. I even said when I accepted the award, "I thought I just came for the dinner." I mean, it was a tie, but it was such a shock. I remember waking up in my hotel room at two in the morning to make sure the Emmy was still there, that I hadn't imagined it.
I've heard you say you have no interest in hosting again. You've done a guest stint on Castle, I know, but what other venues would you like to try?
Well, I don't know. I think that was an interview I gave with Broadcasting and Cable, and I think the interviewer was asking if there was anything else I wanted to host. With my current plate with this show and America's Funniest Videos, which we call "the annuity" at my house, I don't have any desire to host anything else now. That may change in the future if these things go away. But besides hosting, apart from live TV, there's no format I'm dying to do. Now I'm at the point in my career in my mid-fifties where I've done this for awhile, and I'm just doing other things like lending my voice to a Disney animated series. Just meeting different creative people in the business. My agent said there was an expression of interest from the How I Met Your Mother people, but they wanted me, if I was available, to play a game show host. And I said, "Well, no." I did the host thing on Castle because it was Castle and it made for a great flow on my network and all that. But the idea of going on an episodic show and playing a host has no real appeal at all. I'd rather play the maniacal killer or something like that.
Do you have any hosting nightmares? Things that could still go wrong on live TV as you run the show?
You know, I guess I had a dream that was the hosting equivalent of being in class, having a test, and not having studied for it. I haven't worked in radio in over 15 years, but the other night a month or so ago, I had this dream I was at my hometown radio station, and the song was ending, and I had no idea what was going on other than I was there. It was the equivalent of being caught naked in class. I was at an open microphone without any idea of what to do.
Let's talk about this season of Dancing with the Stars. Can you gauge audience reaction during the taping? Is there noticeable commotion when Bristol Palin gets the lowest scores but isn't eliminated? Or when--
Here's the thing. Let's address the Bristol thing. That's the thing I get the biggest kick out of on the show. I'm going to put on my political hat. I'm a liberal Democrat, and I state that proudly. But I have no patience with my friends who believe there is a conspiracy keeping Bristol on the show. They'll say, and they're friends of a similar political persuasion though I have friends across the spectrum, "Oh, well! She's still on the show! She's obviously not the best dancer! She gets the lowest scores!" My response to that is similar to my response to the midterm elections. I'll say, "OK, right. So who did you vote for instead of Bristol?" "Uh, well, I don't vote!" "Well, then, f*ck you." I mean, basically! You can clean that up. I have no patience for that! If you don't participate to create a different outcome -- and this can be true in national politics or a TV reality show -- then don't piss and moan if you don't like the way it's playing out. You know, I'm sorry! I think Bristol is clearly not the best dancer here, but she's a charming young woman who's shown an incredible growth from week one to this week. If she happens to get more votes for whatever reason, more power to her. If you don't like it, vote for someone else. But that's been the part of the show that's amused me, how quickly people are to seize on conspiracy theories when people aren't involved in the process.
Jennifer Grey is so great to watch. She might be my favorite contestant ever. What's it like watching her in person?
She's an absolute sweetheart. In some ways, I think she doesn't realize how good she is. She's had a couple of crises of confidence which I think she's weathered nicely. She had our first perfect score last night, and her dad showing up last week -- Joel Grey -- gave her an important and well-timed pep talk. She really is a sweetheart who's doing a wonderful job. She's one of those people in the cast who you think could be hoisting that -- as we say -- coveted mirror-ball trophy.
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Comments
I'm old and don't really care about the politics of this silly show, although I like the show, but if it is REALLY about the the most improved, then Bristol has it. With no performance experience at all, she IS the most improved and I thought that was what the show is all about. I'm sorry about all of Jennifer's injuries and have always loved Joel, but she HAS had show bus. experience and so have all the others. So I'm for Bristol, not her mom, dad, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles or anyone else but for how this young lady has grown.
Like this low level douche knows anything the fine print of these shows indicates the network and the producers can rig the game anytime they want. So keep believing your votes count on these asinine shows. MOO.....America...MOO!!
Oh lets not forget that this network is quite conservative and there is likely no other contestant combination that would have brought better ratings. And for the record Bristol Palin and the rest of her brood are ignorant and biggoted and it will be a blight on this country forever if they get even a little closer to our central government.
Your'e naive if you don't see there is conspiracy. Come on tell me you can't see that! Again it's not about the dance anymore.
I think the poster was right on in his analysis that Bristol has struggled to attain mediocre status. Yes, the people are clearly voting for her. But the overall scores factor in the judges scoring and let's be honest, they are scoring her way too high. My jaw hit the floor when I saw her get 8's and 9's. She is a 7 dancer - tops. The judges need to start judging her more stringently.
You say F me for the real? Lets get honest JackAss, Your desire to fan this flame is a asinine way of increasing viewership. But ratherr than be honest you take the punkass snake oil salesman's way out. I don't have to call in to your crummy spectacle to cast a vote for the obvious. She Sucks, You suck for the attempt at luring those who'd prefer a lobotomy than sitting through your high class exhibitions. And the thought of casting fifty cents on your dog (show), truly exemplify casting your pearls to the swine.
You say F me for the real? Lets get honest JackAss, Your desire to fan this flame is a asinine way of increasing viewership. But ratherr than be honest you take the punkass snake oil salesman's way out. I don't have to call in to your crummy spectacle to cast a vote for the obvious. She Sucks, You Suck and her Mammy will Suck ya for 2bits. Yet your attempt at luring those who'd prefer a lobotomy than sitting through your high class exhibitions is laughable. The thought of casting fifty cents on your dog (show: I understand casting your pearls to the swine.
JFK was taken by aliens! Obama is really white! TSA is full of sexual perverts! Palin is annexing Alaska to the Russians since she can see Russia from her house! The Tea Party was an accident, a typo it was suppose to read Pea Party!
Max blew it for Brandy when he responded the way he did with Carrie Ann. I think that cost them a lot of votes and the trophy. I never voted until that night and I cast all my votes for Bristol Palin, not because of her mother, but because of the way she has presented herself and she is the MOST IMPROVED dancer.
guess you didnt hear hes a proud liberal democrat, huh?
hope Palin wins just to piss you liberals off!
Brandy is also an unwed mother. But she leads Bristol 1-0 in the killing-people-with-your-car sweepstakes.
I think the headline is disingenuous. Bergeron is not saying FU to the conspiracy theories, he is saying FU to people who don't vote and then complain. There is a huge difference. And no matter what anyone says, the tea party are the ones who are all over the internet bragging about playing the glitch and voting hundreds of times. This is why so many fans of the shows are upset. If they would have kept it to themselves instead of telling people specifically how to cheat for Bristol, then no one would have known and whatever happens happens. But they took pride in rigging the system to prove a point. And trust me, it's not the liberals who are most pissed at this, its the people who were apolitical and feel that ABC pushed politics into a venue where it shouldn't have been pushed into. The people who are angry are people who have never given a second thought to Bristol or Sarah but now realize that this girl who is in no way a "star" has come on 'their" show and pushed other talented dancers out only because of politics. End result, people who never thought about Sarah Palin now hate her with a passion. Good work, guys.
Well, I don't think there's a full-blown conspiracy, but I find Bristol's lie about how Maks supposedly "hating" her very well-timed for sympathy votes. So, not a conspiracy, per-se, but a slimy trick on Bristol's part.
And @JOMONDO...well...thanks for showing us the Tea Party's true colors. But hey, don't let us liberals stop you.
People should realize that Bristol has to face political hostile audiences as well as friendly ones, and no other dancer has that going on. I voted for her for the first time last week because IMO her dances were better than Brandi's regardless of the judge's scores. The judge's "steer" those they want in the finals, period. Also, I've been seeing in posts that alot of people were turned off by Brandi/Max personalities. That's part of the game too, you know? Further, lots of votes were probably syphoned to Massey to keep him as the 3rd finalist, but it ended up shorting Brandi rather than Bristol. It happens. It happened to Sabrina Bryan. All other dancers get to express joy when they get to move forward, but Bristol is always left with some people booing and that judge standing up excoriating people who didn't vote. She's done a great job of improving and deserves to feel joy like anyone else. The booing and all the nasty web comments and hub-bub will have a backlash. No one likes others to be treated that way.
Of course this dance contest is rigged for ratings and the palin infuance. Just like american Idol was rigged this year for ratings.
It's a REALITY TV SHOW.
Everyone needs to get a life.
Dimi... I have read alot of posts about this in the last few days. Yours is by far the most intelligent, thoughtful and well articulated post i have seen. You said if far better then I could have with way better shades and nuances. Your post says exactly why I and so many others feel so offended by what has happened. And now is seems that the media is trying to make us think that everything is just perfectly fine and just as it should be. Which just adds further insult on top of insult. Lol.. wonder if Tom read your post. Bet that would pull him up short and made him think. Better yet the producer of the show needs to read it.
But you missed on of the most valid points- Bristol may have 'improved' the most but she isn't a "Star". Every time they go on and on about her lack of experience in 'entertainment' I want someone to answer the question, "Then why is she there?' She earns a living as a motivational speaker. That gives her as much experience as a football player or an astronaut. No contestant should be allowed to use the excuse and then try and garner support.
Bristol Palin will win "Dancing with the Stars" for reasons that have nothing to do with her performance. Next season Clarence Thomas's wife may be a contestant. She'll come out on stage, stand still, and win the contest. Hey, maybe that's how the GOP should select its 2012 Presidential candidate; "Dancing with the Prez."
I'm so glad that I don't own a television.
The problem with this show is that it allows America to show its biases and that it has not moved. So caught up in this Democrat/Republican insult throwing and still very racist, only voted Obama so maybe the rest of the world would not see you as such. But I will get back to that
There is nothing with having a problem with someone who can't dance and also with someone who has too much dance experience. The point is in the first instance is they came in, were given an instructor, and still didn't reach a certain standard and is clearly behind the others. Yes, you're trying but what about the effort of the others? It doesn't work that way!
How does every R &B singer who comes on the show have too much dance experience, especially someone who sings slows like Brandy or Toni Braxton or Mya? If you watch their videos there is no big choreography like videos today. They are SINGERS! The judges gave them things to work on after their first dance like everyone else. They have to work on technique like everyone else. Maybe it's their musicality that prevents them from looking stiff and also their PERFORMANCE experience, not dance that helps. I think Bristol probably picked up the technique as quickly as Brandy, but Brandy has more musicality and performance ability. Is America saying they should only pick stiff celebs who have no sense of musical timing? That would be painful to watch!! I cringed everytime I watched Michael Bolton, Clyde Drexler and Billy Ray although they were nice enough. Onto the personal insults.
America is in love with Hollywood and its celebs. Don't ask me why. They seem to have more problems than average and I don't know them personally. Aha! I must be on to something. They can pound them for their mistakes without being actually involved in their lives. Americans seem to think that because they watch tons of entertainment news, they know these people personally. So they feel ok to call Brandy a manipulative, narcissistic, self-involved liar. Wow, SILS71, you must either have grown up with her or you must be her shrink! I'm not an American so I'm not invested in any of them as a person either as someone else said previously. (Not obssessed with 'celebs' in my country cuz we are so small we can see them almost anyday) Had no great love of Moesha (Brandy's sitcom) etc but love to see beautiful dancing. Also love when they get great classic pieces of music to go with it. How is it entertaining to see someone clinically do the steps of a dance with no expression and no feeling? Even when they were scored for technique she got the lowest. And stop using the improvement argument because they all improved! To me, she is stuck just like Audrina was. They kept saying to both of them put more into it, but she didn't and Bristol isn't either. So, she improved up to a point. The 9's were weird and all they said was good effort. Can we say feeling sorry? Onto the racism.
The show itself is not inherently racist but a pattern is definitely detected in voting. The judges seem fair enough though the scores always get iffy coming nearer to the final.The black men have a slightly easier time then the women. They allowed Emmit to win(I was rooting for Mario Lopez, btw) and Warren Sap to make it to the final. And he really improved! Mel B. and Mya came second. And now Kyle is in the final. So marginally enough is done to quash any complaints of racism. 'Isn't that enough, can't you black people be satisfied! You really expect to win?!', I can almost hear them say. But sorry not enough.
Black women have done consistently well and gotten the short end of the stick. This year politics was the extra blow for Brandy. And on the internet they always say vague, ridiculous things about the black ladies like yea, she was better but she jus got on my nerves, she was rude, she was annoying, she was arrogant, a diva, no personality which is all a matter of perception and oh so convenient! Well, Brandy had her past for Americans to hold on to, the details of which the average person knows nothing about. I believe America will always find something. I also condemn the personal insults hurled at Bristol, but those who didn't vote for her for personal reasons the fact remains that her dancing level is below the others . Anybody could see this.
So, I think they should get rid of Monday night. Let them bring entertainers on Tuesday, have voters callin in for their 'favorites'. And then line up the celebs and call out the result. Because people don't care about dancing anymore. Freedom to discriminate. That's America for you. That way no one can be disappointed. Then we can accurately call it a popularity contest. Let black people stick to their sports and music, academics (although you still try to cut them down there) It's probably wrong that you inferior black people should be good at ballroom too, right
The radical right has spoiled most of America by injecting politics into everything. Is there any reason that they should not spoil Dancing With The Stars? The producers chose a viewer selection format, knowing that the zeitgeist would prevail; now they have to live with the consequences. If Palin wins, 25% of the viewers will ignore next season. The producers will get what they deserve. Ted Mack never asked the viewers, and he never made nasty comments.
they should also call it Dancing with public figures and their children because that's what politicians are, not stars.
What an idiot - Tom stated that he is a liberal Democrat and you rant about him being part of the Tea Party? Can you read or comprehend what you have just read or are you simply an ignorant recorder that just yells out the same inane things over and over without any thought whatsoever?
I like the Tea Party but several Tea Party web sites along with Sarah Palin strongly encourage people to vote for Bristol. This is a microcosm of political corruption. It's a way of getting the party's person "in" and has nothing to do with talent. Tea Party sites also advise about how to trick the system by voting up to 300 times. Please, this has nothing to do with Bristol's actual dancing ability. Let’s face it, Brandy was a far better dancer than Sarah Palin's daughter. The whole thing is dishonest. The system is being gamed.
Repeat after me. "It's only a television show..." It's only a television show..." It's only a television show."
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