On the 'DWTS' Scene: Why Maks Chmerkovskiy Confronted Carrie Ann
by Michael Maloney, posted Nov 9th 2010 12:00PM
Chmerkovskiy took exception to Inaba critcizing his creative choice to wait until four beats passed before starting his "instant dance," a cha cha cha to Kate Perry's 'Teenage Dream,' with partner Brandy Norwood.
The Ukranian-born dancer didn't feel that Brandy should've been penalized with a lower score for his decision.
Host Tom Bergeron deftly tried to squash the tension by proclaiming, "Welcome to 'Ballroom Smackdown.'"
"It's not my show," Chmerkovskiy told TV Squad on the post-show press line. "When it's 'Dancing With Maks,' you can criticize me and talk to me all you want. But [my choice of choreography] has nothing to do with Brandy. It's just so stupid. Why take the spotlight away from her?"
To be clear, there's no specific rule that says a couple can't take a few beats before getting into their routine. "It was our interpretation," Chmerkovskiy said. "The song started four bars in. It was very instrumental in the beginning. Then, on the bang we started dancing and we didn't stop. [Carrie Ann's comment] wasn't necessary."
Despite the tense exchange of words between the judge and the fan favorite dancer, Inaba still gave a score of "9" to Chmerkovskiy and Norwood. They and Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough are tied for first place going into tonight's results show, which will determine who the four semi-finalists for season 11 will be.
"I'm happy with the scores," Norwood said.
"Carrie Ann looked like [she was going to give us] a 3 or a 2 1/2," Chmerkovskiy quipped.
Norwood backed Chmerkovskiy for taking a strong stance. "We're friends," she said. "We calm each other down. We've got each other's backs. Maks is coming from a very passionate, honest place. Anybody who is honest and passionate understands where he's coming from. He has my back out there and I would do the same for him. I really would."
Chmerkovskiy's decision to debate Inaba's comments were met with mixed reactions by his fellow 'DWTS' co-stars.
"I'm really glad that Maks said what he said, sticking up for the pros because we do bust our b---s," said Mark Ballas, noting his own partner, teen activist Bristol Palin, deserved higher scores. "She was blatantly better this week."
"Maks is Maks," said Lacey Schwimmer. "We all love him for that reason. He's vocal and he doesn't have any shame in what he says. I'm proud of him for that. However, with this show you have to understand that you're being criticized and you are being judged. It's a competition.
"I don't talk back to the judges," Schwimmer continued. "I never really have. You take [what they say] with a grain of salt and move on from there."
"Dude, I love the judges," joked Kyle Massey, Schwimmer's celebrity partner, who has trimmed 7 inches off his waist since the competition began. "Carrie Ann's got a crush on me!"
Former pro football player, Kurt Warner, Trebunskaya's partner, perhaps had the best insight into what sparked the confrontation.
"If you've watched [this season] lots of people take their time in the beginning of their routine to start their story or get into their dance," Warner observed. "Everybody does it. [But] sometimes judges have to find something to pick on and that was their thing tonight."
Comments
by rosalie, posted Nov 9th 2010
carrie Ann is very picky, and she can do no better..I hav seen her dance, even in her hay day..she needs to just go with the flow, she is not the ruler of the world...she should just say her little hor quores and giggles for the men and give her score..she met a match from Max, and he is not swayed by her charm, and she can't take it...
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by R.J.MELE, posted Nov 9th 2010
Carrie Ann is attempting to mimic former Idol judge Simon Cowell. She is picking nits and it is not becoming nor apreciated, at least by me.
by yuluodehaoz, posted Nov 14th 2010
Is this "Dancing with the Judges"? If it's not Bruno being a moron, then it's Carrie Ann going over the top with crying because she is soooo moved, or finding some itty bitty problem to point out. Len is consistent. He's old school judging. Get on with it and do it right. Maks was right to take it back to Carrie Ann. The routine called for it to start when it did. To penalize Brandy with a 9, intead of a deserved 10, was vindictive and wrong. Good for Maks!check Age'gapsing'les.C'-o M ) The main idea of our online dat*ing site is to unite all Older men who are looking for younger girl and Older wo*men who are looking for younger boy together and we try that all of them can trust us. Our online dating club receives only loyal and decent older men who are looking for young girl and decent older women who are looking for young boy who really want to find friends and lovers among Americans
by Richard Ott, posted Nov 9th 2010
If Bristol & Mark somehow get through tonight's
elimination, I will log on to www.abc.com, and
find a way to vote for my pick on Dancing With The
Stars, without actually logging into the website
itsself. If that doesn't work, I'll keep watching,
but I want to see Bristol & Mark eliminated, and
Brandy & Maks move on to the 9'th week of Dancing.
For weeks, the internet has been sending me signs
of their departure, so I hope it comes true, tonight!
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by jacqueline, posted Nov 14th 2010
I don't believe Carrie Ann is picky and fair. She always has a compliment for Palin who is absolutely a terrible dancer and should get less than a 5. I don't understand the whole thing. It baffles me!
by ucgreen52, posted Nov 14th 2010
"To all above that keep bringing Bristol Palin into this chat....Leave it alone!!!!!!! Tried of all the negative comments about her.
by MKbrew, posted Nov 9th 2010
After carrying Brandy for the entire season, Maks decided it would be easier to fake the beginning of their instant dance routine...he said so when he was trying to instruct Brandy...we'll walk through the first part and then do the actual dance routine and repeat it one and a half times and then work out the ending.
I suppose if you shorten the main part it give Brandy less time to goof up. That's what Carrie Ann was pointing out. Maks was riled because Carrie Ann heard the plan as we did, watched as the dance unfolded as per Maks' plan, and rightfully called Maks on it. Maks' fragile ego just couldn't take the hit. He wouldn't let her finish. He talked over her and was extremely disrespectful of the judge.
After Maks' little outburst, I voted for Bristol and Mark. Bristol is the only contestant who prior to this show had no experience performing in public. She has taken the critiques and has come a long way.
Bristol doesn't wear her ego on her sleeve and doesn't come up with excuses when things don't go exactly right. It's refreshing after watching the drama queens, Jennifer and Brandy. Using injuries and some dramatic performances in rehearsal, attempting to get sympathy from the judges and the viewers.
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by Deb, posted Nov 14th 2010
Use drugs much??
by Patty Roldan, posted Nov 9th 2010
Carrie Ann is not a pro to me. Brandy and Maks dances were great. They deserved a 30 on their waltz but Carrie Ann as usually has something smart to say. I love Maks and I am glad he stood up for Brandy. Carrie Ann sucks.
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by Kathy, posted Nov 10th 2010
I agree with you 100%....Carrie Ann needs to go.
by kaysings, posted Nov 14th 2010
Carrie Ann Inaba is most certainly a pro. Her resume includes dance, choreography, acting, TV hosting and singing, all of it as a professional. Google her if you don't believe me.
All these competitive reality shows need at least one judge who doesn't sugar-coat, and Carrie Ann is paid to do just that. Dance is subjective and Carrie Ann tells it like she sees it. Besides, I've heard some comments from Len and Bruno that the dancers and many viewers thought were "unfair", but that's the nature of the business.
As for Maks, he has an ego the size of the Grand Canyon. He thinks he can do no wrong. If I had his ear, I'd tell him to shut up, suck it up and move on.
by amor351646, posted Nov 10th 2010
I have always enjoyed DWTS in the past and looked forward to watching it this season but it seems it has become too political. Let's get back to the originality of the show and keep it that way. After all it is Dancing with the Stars.
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by Ingrid, posted Nov 10th 2010
Why is Bristol Palin still on the show. She cannot dance, and although I feel sorry for her she needs to be off. Is she there because 'the Tea Party 'people are voting for her?' If so I do believe that this will be the last time I watch this show.Dancers are being sent off that should be there still. The show will be ruined unless they change the voting so thatthis cannot happen again. Disgusted
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by Roe, posted Nov 10th 2010
Maks and Brandy have been great together. Carrie Ann is always giving kudos to Derrick and whoever he dances with, and always has at least 1 problem with Maks and whoever he dances with, week after week. I'm not talking this season, I'm talking all the time. Perhaps Maks, like a lot of viewers, are sick of them patting Derrick on the back. He's good, but he's is not at all the whole show. Give Maks credit where it is due. After all, Brandy was not in Dirty Dancing. She is a novice and she deserves to win.
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by Janice Gautreaux, posted Nov 14th 2010
Carrie Ann is the JUDGE; her opinion should NOT be questioned by anyone. Maks has a big mouth and opinion of himself.
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by Lee, posted Nov 14th 2010
Hope Brandy goes!! She has an attitude!! Just wonder which nite the co-host with Tom Bergeron will expose her entire top half. I seems to get a little bit lower each week. Hey, we all have "two" - you don't need to prove something!!!!!
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by Janice, posted Nov 14th 2010
With all said and done, the contestant with the largest fan base is gonna win. If it takes the Tea Party to send out another message of their power, this is definityly being done.
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by pwilli1465, posted Nov 14th 2010
It shouldn't be that way, Janice. You'll agree the judges should have the final vote, no matter how popular (or unpopular) a dancer may be. Fan voting should be eliminated.
by JulP, posted Nov 14th 2010
Is this "Dancing with the Judges"? If it's not Bruno being a moron, then it's Carrie Ann going over the top with crying because she is soooo moved, or finding some itty bitty problem to point out. Len is consistent. He's old school judging. Get on with it and do it right. Maks was right to take it back to Carrie Ann. The routine called for it to start when it did. To penalize Brandy with a 9, intead of a deserved 10, was vindictive and wrong. Good for Maks!
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by David, posted Nov 14th 2010
brandy should have already been voted off , the scores she is getting are too high, rick fox was a lot better than her, this smacks of being rigged
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