A Dane County Sheriff's detective says in court documents that Steven Cowan, of the town of Vermont, felt Palin was not a good dancer and was only on the show because of her famous mother.
They say Cowan loaded his shotgun and blasted the TV before turning the gun on his wife, who escaped.
Tactical officers surrounded the home and managed to talk Cowan out Tuesday morning.
Cowan was charged second-degree reckless endangerment and receive 10 years in prison if convicted. Authorities say he has bipolar disorder.