Can’t we all just have fun? Apparently not on DANCING WITH THE STARS, as a series of ugly incidents this week has turned the popular ABC contest into a cut-throat, side taking mess.
For the past several seasons, a hint of bad blood has been brewing just beneath the surface between professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy and head judge Len Goodman. But that bad blood came to a boil on Tuesday, when Maks exploded at Goodman on live television, following what Maks called a “disrespectful” critique.
“I’ve been in this business for 50 years,” Goodman argued, calling Chmerkovskiy’s rumba with soccer star Hope Solo their “worst dance of the season.”
“Then maybe it’s time to go!” Chmerkovskiy barked back, adding that DANCING WITH THE STARS is “MY show,” and that he “helped make it what it is.” Ouch!
Chmerkovskiy’s words caused both dancers and judges to take sides backstage, with some applauding Maks’ decision to support his partner, and others publicly stating he crossed the line in his attack on Goodman, as well as in his opinion that DWTS is “MY show.” Needless to say, don’t expect much camaraderie between the 2 sides for the remainder of the season.
Then there was an incident involving Chaz Bono, who is the latest contestant to be booted off the show. The former daughter-turned-son of Sonny and Cher became furious backstage that the judges compared him to a cuddly penguin after already comparing to him to an ewok. “Bruno [bleeping] makes comments every week … like I’m some fat troll dancing with this beautiful woman every week, and I’m sick of it,” Chaz fumed.
Bono’s professional dance partner Lacey Schwimmer cried backstage following the rant, saying “Every week he (Chaz) gets referred to as an animal. They always comment on his personality, and last I checked, this was a dancing show.”
Cher later chimed in on the incident, saying “Is it ‘Dancing’ with the stars or ‘Looking perfect ‘ with the stars? It’s easy for him (Bruno) to take cheap shots at Chaz! Let him come to ‘my’ stage,’” Cher tweeted. “I could teach his little arm waving [butt] some manners! Critique Chaz’s dance style, movements, etc. But don’t make fun of my child on national TV.”
Can’t we all just get along?
