10/27 Update: Click here to read Maks’ latest interview on his comments and on Derek Hough
HOPE SOLO AND MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY danced the Rumba on Dancing with the Stars, Broadway Night, October 24, 2011. After the dance, Maks and the judges, especially Len Goodman, got into a war of words. Here is a recap:
Hope seemed a bit shaken after last week’s judges’ comments and was heard saying afterwards, “I don’t think I can do this!” Maks brought in three dancers from the DWTS Troupe to help her dance sexy. Hope got the moves while the dancers were there, but the next day, she seemed to have forgotten, prompting Maksim to tell her that he is losing faith in her as well. He tried to clean it up by saying he is the only one that still has not given up on her.
The duo danced the Rumba to Seasons of Love. Carri Ann Inaba said she sees all of the efforts Hope puts into her movements and said she saw her relaxing and trusting her natural sexiness for the first time, coming out in glimpses of a beautiful vulnerable girl. But she said Hope sometimes forces the moves so much that it distorts them. Carri Ann gave them a 7.
Len Goodman said he was at a loss because he never lost faith in her because he believes she still has a lot of potential. He told her this was her worst dance of the whole season. He said he was really disappointed. When Max tried to get the crowd to boo Len, Len said, “Max, don’t start all that because half the fault is yours.” Maks said, “As long as the audience liked our journey, we’re good.” Len shot back, “Let me tell you Maks, the audience like the effect, I’ve been in this business for nearly fifty years, my criteria to judge is different.” Maks quipped, “Maybe it’s time to get out!” Carri Ann scolded Maks, “WOAH! Don’t be disrespectful like that!” Maks said, “Don’t be disrespectful like that to everybody because everybody is putting in a lot of effort, dying and killing themselves always to hear your guys’ a little judgmental comments, you know what I mean? I am not being disrespectful, I am just protecting my partner!” Len gave them a 6.
Bruno Tolioni: “First, Hope, look at me, performance, difficult song and you portrayed the emotion…It worked sometimes but the Rumba never stops moving…It never gelled quite as well as it could have.” Bruno gave them a 7.
After the judges’ scores, Maks continued telling Brook Burke, “With all due respect, this is my show. I helped make it what it is. I love every aspect of it. I love every professional that has ever been here and every celebrity that puts effort in to every week. Having said that, I am a little tired that we’re being judged some on effort and some being picked on our heel leads.”
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Watch the performance and the exchange of words below:
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cant believe MAks told Len he should retire. Len is grumpy and all, but that’s his opinion that this was Hope’s worst dance. Maks is out of control.
Maks is rude. He is the one dance that I don’t like.
Len is way too hard on hope tho and very clearly doedn’t like her.
Derrick is the bomb!!
judges are there to judge the dance,Maks doesn’t like it either become a judge or leave the show.
Perhaps it’s time for Len and Max to retire.
Judges should judge, not belittle the contestants (no matter how good or bad they are) as they do try their best; therefore, the judges should avoid personal remarks like “your worst dance or best dance” etc. – they should just judge the individual dance and let contestants at least have some self-respect. I think the show has crossed the line when they choose contestants they know do not have a chance to win for whatever reasons just so the judges can make them feel bad. I think all contestants should be more alike in their dancing ability so it can truly be a fair dance contest.
Maks was right. That was the only genuine exchange the whole season. The judges soft ball the worst dancers and say they are “entertaining” and blast the better dancers for technical. Some of the best dancers go home. Chaz may win this thing, but DWTS may lose its audience over it. I tune in to see Maks, Derrick, Mark, Kym; I do not tune in to see Len. I enjoy Bruno, though. Carrie Ann sometimes is genuine, but this year she kisses up to Cher and company. Maks and Derrick are the best dancers on the show, so if you take Maks away, there is no reason to watch; it will be the Derrick show. Len comes off grumpy, know it all and definitely of another century. The stars take too much abuse from him and get kicked off because of the negative. Here’s a negative, Len: Chaz is one of the worst dancers ever on the show.
I think maks should give more respect afterall the judges are there to judge. That is their job.
I was really disappointed in Bruno saying what he did about Chaz. Don’t we have enough problems with kids bullying other kids then to have one of the best shows on TV doing it? It is just WRONG! That kind of criticism was unnecessary. I commend Chaz for his bravery and effort he made. You go Chaz and you are the better person.
As for Max, he was right on. Everyone works hard on the show to do their best. I think the judges have gone to far. I for one would not recommend any one to watch this show if it continues to berate contestants. Their point can be made with out hurting ones feelings or bulling and that is what Bruno did. Sad day!