Rumor: DWTS Judge Bruno Tonioli Resigning Next Season, Maksim Chmerkovskiy Taking His Place?
I’ll believe it when I see it. I don’t think Bruno is going anywhere and I hope he won’t! Here is more from Celeb Dirty Laundry via The Globe….
According to the December 29th edition of GLOBE Magazine, judge Bruno Tonioli is threatening to quit Dancing With The Stars if he isn’t given Len’s position when he leaves. But, the DWTS executives are uninterested in giving Bruno the raise (whether he deserves it or not). They have their sights set on controversial dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, and are planning to give him the head judge’s position.
GLOBE reports, “Top brass have made it clear that they want someone with the same feisty attitude as Len – and Maks fits the bill perfectly. Now, after the snub Bruno is thinking it’s time he called it quits too.” One of GLOBE’s inside sources revealed, “Maks is a real hot head and craves being the center of attention. He’s convinced he is going to be the star of the show – and he doesn’t care who he hurts!”
More at Celeb Dirty Laundry.
Thats a double edged sword for me. I am not very fond of either. I think Bruno (like Carrie Ann) thinks hes more valuable then he thinks he is. Sorry not sorry. lol. But at the same time, I dont want Maks as a judge. I think they need to stick to three and make it a solid three. Which means Carrie Ann needs to go as well.
They got one thing 100% right in that article. Maks craves being the center of attention!
Really,they would make Maks head judge over Bruno. Bruno has been a judge for 10 years and Maks has only been a guest judge. If this happens they have lost me as a viewer,of course as soon as Derek leaves the show I will no longer watch.
Many people are hating on the fact the Julianne Hough would be judging her brother on the show, so everyone wants Maks Chmerkovskiy. BUT, that would mean that Maks would also be judging his brother, Val, so it goes either way. Julianne has been an amazing huge and told each couple something that they could work on, not like the other judges who just say whether they liked it or not. I personally would like to see Shirley Ballas as a judge on the show because she’s and expert at ballroom dancing but she does also understand that the show has evolved and is much more than that. Sure, Shirley is Mark and Derek’s mom but she’s also proven not to give favoritism and she’s bluntly honest on AfterBuzzTv aftershow.
Before i even address the maks possibility of replacing len as head judge (which I think is interesting given that I think maks as a judge replacing len is good but assumed Julianne or Bruno would become head judge), I have to wonder if Bruno would have that in him to be so difficult. He seems so nice. As for maks as head judge…….want him on the show as a judge but not head judge.
I don’t believe it. I do wish we could go back to three judges and Max not being one.
I don’t believe a word about this. Bruno may be all wild and crazy but he doesn’t strike me as the type to be a diva and demand to be head judge.
Why do we even NEED a “head judge”? Can’t they all be equal? After Len is gone just keep Carrie Ann, Julianne and Bruno as judges. None of this head judge crap. Of course Len was a head judge because of how much experience he has in the world of ballroom, but I don’t think any of the remaining three judges (and Maks, for that matter) could be consider a head judge. But that’s just my opinion of course.
Furthermore, just the thought of seeing Maks as a judge every week is going to be a pain. I didn’t mind him last time when he guest judged but I also don’t feel like he did a good enough judge for him to be brought back, as opposed to Julianne who actually gave some constructive criticism the times she guest judged before being promoted to full-time.
Not interested in rumors. If either Bruno or ABC wants to announce something, fine, I’ll deal with it then. This isn’t exactly earth-shattering news.
Can’t see this being true either, Bruno doesn’t strike me as a greedy character. I wouldn’t be surprised however if Maks is being looked at for the 4th judging spot after season 20. British tabloids have already begun the “Craig Revel-Horwood being lined up by DWTS bosses” story but Maks seems a lot more realistic with Julianne already on the panel. Regarding the head judge gig, If DWTS had a dance off elimination format like the UK rather than straight knockout then a head judge role would actually mean something.
Please no! Maks is so biased I can’t even…
Maybe Lizzy thinks this is doing her job, getting her star in the rumor mill. I really doubt Bruno will quit such a lucrative and high profile job.
I know the ballroom world is very small so it’s probably impossible to get anyone who doesn’t have some kind of bias re the pros, but I’m not in favor of Maks, Shirley, and really even Julianne. She did pretty well but I think in order to not appear to favor her brother she went easier on someone in the “other” fam, and I think Shirley showed clearly on afterbuzz that when push comes to shove she’s going to support her only son over whoever else calls her mom or whoever else she’s trained. When Maks guest judged I felt he threw Tony under the bus to insure he didn’t look like “fam over everything” so that in fact he could be “blood fam over everything”.
But in the end, I don’t really care that much as I don’t watch for the judges AT ALL, I watch for the journeys and the dancing.
“Maks is a real hot head and craves being the center of attention. He’s convinced he is going to be the star of the show – and he doesn’t care who he hurts!”
Just when I so looking forward to the upcoming Anniversary season. Now this rumor! Can’t Maks just take his darn MBT and go away!
If this rumor is true I am deeply saddened. Quite frankly, Maks landing the head judge position would be the deal breaker for me. Unfortunately, this would be a decision that I would be unwilling to support. *sadface*
I agree with all of you! Making him a judge is one thing, but, it would be so disrespectful to the others to make him a “head” judge. But, I think this story is full of it too. Someone must be desperate for a news story or attention.
Any shuffling of the judges deck won’t make me stop watching the show. They will do what they will and I will still love the dancing, the journeys, and the spectacle of it all.
I agree, it would be disrespectful to everyone involved (even the viewers, who have witnessed Mak’s behavior firsthand) to reward him with the Head Judging spot. Plus, he just has too many personal links with the pros.
Oh, but wait I have an idea since it’s Maks show anyhow… Let’s get Meryl to replace Carrie Anne and we can show home movies of their courtship and house hunting… Okay, I did get a bit carried awaywith that, but I can hear it now all of the rants about “Where’s Meryl”…
Hey Rob Wade… You did so well last season, don’t screw things up moving forward.
Len will come back for season 20; and season 21 is sooo far away. That’s enough for me to doubt this rumor.
I find it hard to believe that Len would leave early and not participate on such a big anniversary show. I do think’s he’ll be gone for season 21 though. I also don’t believe they would make any new judge – Maks or someone else – the “head” judge, much too disrespectful to not only CAI and Bruno, but to Len as well. Must be slow news day across the pond.
Now, CRH I would like to see here on DWTS as a judge – guest judge if not permanently. Oh the outrage – I can hear it now. But it would be funny and interesting. It’s not like we haven’t seen dances in seasons past that were worthy of a 3 or 4, but who else has the cojones to pull that paddle out LOL.
In fact, I think having a different 4th/guest judge each season would be very interesting. Someone halfways qualified to judge – no more Donny Osmonds please – and someone who sticks around all season, not just dropping in to muddy the waters for one night.
I have to say I thought Rob Wade did a fantastic job with season 19 and am looking forward to the next season.
If they want a former pro as a judge and Bruno does leave (which I still don’t see happening) they should get maks but I think someone said this before (I forgot who so forgive me whoever you are for forgetting your name) but no head judge is not a bad thing. Three judges who will be constructive and want to help is all that matters in my eyes. Julianne already kinda does that (she had a couple of off weeks) and that’s what Carrie Ann lives for (that’s one thing she is very good at) and as much as I hate to say it maks probably would be the same way. Even though the guy seems to love himself sometimes, even I have to admit that he would provide some feedback mixed with advice in a unique/blunt manner. But hopefully Bruno sticks Around 🙂 show wouldn’t really be the Same without him doing what he does best.
I LOVE MAX.
I THINK HE WOULD BE A GREAT JUDGE.
He craves being the center ~ OMG 🙂
Maks will love that article ~~
These rumors are utter bullshit. One only has to considered the sources.
Roselyn, people are hypocrites…Maks fans are the rule, not the exception in this case. Those bitching about Julianne will be thrilled to see Maks. If it were true, but it’s not. So I wouldn’t worry about it. 🙂
Meant to say “center of attention” ~ 🙂
I don’t believe that Bruno would just up and ‘quit’ and if it’s one thing I cannot stand is gossip magazines like The Globe!
I think this is nothing but a big fat “false” rumor. Just another “get Maks’ fans talking and get responses from those who see through him. He is done with DWTS. (at least that’s what his mindset was upon his exit with his big MBT) He would be bored with coming back on, since he had the best of the best to help him win in S-18. I think Julianne gives good criticism that is helpful for the celebrate; but there is always going to be that situation of having to teeter tauter with either not criticizing her brother enough or having to decide to be real strict and find something to criticize. It will never be easy for anyone who is on the judge’s panel that is related to any Pro dancer. The same situation would be there if Maks was a judge. It’s just the way it would come down—always controversy.
DWTS wouldn’t be the same without Bruno, it is bad enough Len is leaving, imo. But Max as a possible judge?….that gives me the creeps, and that would be the end of my interest in a show that I have watched from season one. His temper tantrums, abusive handing of Hope Solo, and narcissistic self-interest have lost me as a fan. I hope this rumor is just a bunch of baloney.
As much as Bruno can over-due it a little; on the other hand, he is hilarious at times and he can be serious when he wants, and he is my choice of the three presently sitting at the judges table. I just hope he is NOT leaving when Len leaves and this is just a rumor.
I honestly believe Debbie Allen would be a good judge on DWTS she has the experience and definitely compliment the show
Let me guess…the “source” is Lizzie G?
If Maks really is the new judge, then I hope Derek resign and move on to bigger things already. I can’t at the thoughts of having Derek pulling off complicated yet flawlessly executed choreography, only to be scored significantly lower by Maks (Amber’s Jazz, anyone?). Oh, and Val, Tony and Artem would get 10 in the first week too LOL.
I don’t believe this story and I also think Maks is done with this show. Just an opinion but I think he’s put this show in the rear-view mirror… What what do I know?
This is a bunch of crap made up by a tabloid rag that probably had nothing else to write about that day. Maks will not be going back to DWTS.
This rumour reads pretty false to me. The show will not be the same without Len, but take Bruno out too and it’s too big a loss. As over the top as he is, Bruno can actually give really sound advice but you might miss it amidst his loopiness. He needs to stay. Unlike many, my main concern with Maks if he were to judge is his ability to be eloquent. I don’t think it’s his forte. And I hope that Maks would have to be aware enough to know that in order to appear credible, he’d have to be more critical of la familia or keep the praise muted. But will he really get a judging spot? Lol.
Now if it were Carrie Ann that were leaving, I wouldn’t bat an eye. Having a coherent female judge that actually knows ballroom in Julianne has made CAI seem more unprofessional and useless to me. Funny, anyone remember when she used to be a level-headed judge? That was ages ago :O
Oh I SO hope this is just a rumor. Maks would not be impartial….not only would he be judging his brother but also his best friend (Tony) and an Ex-fiance(Karina) and ex-girlfriend, who looks like is dating him again (Peta).
Maks couldn’t/wouldn’t give Derek and Amber Riley a 10 for that stellar Jazz routine in S17 and when he gave them a 10 for the VW, he couldn’t even bring himself to say “10”..he sheepishly held up his paddle & didn’t say a word.
If THAT’S not a poor sport, I don’t know WHAT is!
@Kelly #34
I. T. A. He wouldn’t be able to kept a fair balance.
@Kay #33
Carrie Anne hasn’t ever had another female on the judge’s panel (permanent) to show her up in the first 18 seasons. Season 19 told it all with someone who was actually a trained, 2 time MBT winner. That made C.A.’s skills challenged.