Are The Producers Of Dancing With The Stars Angry At Maksim Chmerkovskiy?
The big question on many of our minds: Are the producers of the show mad at Maks after what happened last week with his complaint on the judges on LIVE TV? As you saw for yourselves, Maks was clearly upset and looked angry in the rehearsals last night to the point Maks looked “abusive” to some people when he man handled Hope, but, is that really the case or do the producers just want to make it look that way? Both TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly are diving into this area today. More below and special thanks to Lori for helping out with this post!!! Let’s get Heidi’s take on this as well.
Below are Teddy Volynet’s thoughts after the show from TV Guide….
But the rehearsal footage struck a decidedly different note. “I was there for that whole rehearsal,” explained troop dancer Teddy Volynets, who is a student of Chmerkovskiy’s and stepped in to rehearse with Solo after Chmerkovskiy injured his toe. “There was a moment where it seemed a little rough, and it was due to the fact that when you come into a team situation, every single piece is just as important as the others. And if one piece isn’t working, you’re letting down the rest of the team. So that’s just more pressure on the pros and more pressure on the celebs. Some people are bound to crack a little bit and that’s bound to be recorded.”
Volynets said he got Solo to laugh and relax because he was there for such a short time. “I got to taste Maks’ life for three days. He’s been doing it since September. I was there having fun, but if I was in Maks’ shoes, I’d be exactly like him.”
For her part, Solo seems to accept that harsh comments and tough teaching go with the territory. “It’s the seventh week, we’re getting okay scores,” she said. “You wouldn’t want to see me if he wasn’t tough on me. I’d be like…I don’t know what I’d be like out there on the dance floor.”
Below are Tristan’s thoughts from Entertainment Weekly which I’m in total agreement with. What do you think?
During Monday’s episode, however, Chmerkovskiy had very little to say when he faced the judges and didn’t respond to any questions from reporters afterwards.
In the meantime, his decision to get physical with Solo during the rehearsal didn’t jibe well with at least one other pro. “That’s stuff you shouldn’t be doing,” said Nancy Grace’s partner Tristan McManus. “No matter whether you’ve been dancing for however long or just new to dancing, that shouldn’t be happening.”
That said, McManus said the packages seldom tell the full story. “Those packages are like a minute and a half…amongst the rest of us it’s not a continuous thing. They pulled it together tonight and they remember what it’s about. Hope herself pulled it together with Maks and they did great.”
Heidi’s Note: Teddy’s loyal, I’ll give him that much. And he may have a point that, for his part, he is only a short timer so he doesn’t have a lot invested, he can laugh and have fun with Hope. That explains HIS behavior…but not so much Maks. Listen, the producers can edit, edit, edit until the cows come home but what they have NO power to do is make Maks behave in a certain way towards Hope. That was not manufactured. It was awful to watch and I’d rather never see anything like it again. Ever. Were there parts where Maks wasn’t being an ass? Sure, I would bet there were. But this is one of those instances where “you reap what you sow” – Maks had his say last week. He took shots at the judges, he took shots at Derek, tried to deny all of it, then probably saw all of it on tape and was hopefully ashamed of it. Or not. Then, this week, the Producers had their say. Were they taking a shot at Maks for revenge? Who cares? Point is, if you can dish it out, you have to take it. I doubt they were angry at him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they reminded him who’s the boss with one simple edit. I would imagine that’s why we didn’t hear much from him after the show – not because they told him to shut up, but because he was pissed as hell. He got played. And everyone came out looking better than he did. That’s the funny thing about reality TV. You brag about boosting ratings, but you can expect to be the ratings booster again when you don’t want to be. That’s likely the real reason for that edit last night. 🙂
Yes, it seemed that Maks was trying really hard not to say anything about the performance, the package, or the judging. But, for their part, the judges also seemed to be taking a hands-off approach to Hope’s performance; she clearly flubbed a few parts, but they didn’t point them out.
That said, I was shocked by Maks’s treatment of hope during the rehearsal footage. I thought he clearly crossed a line in how he was manhandling Hope. Kudos to Hope, though, for not breaking down.
Well said, Heidi. Reality TV. #ItIsWhatItIs.
I would just like to applaud the level of professionalism shown by the other pros in light of this situation. Derek called it last week: they’ve been doing the show long enough to know to be respectful. He never actually said anything negative about Maks. Maks was the one taking shots at everyone (Lacey too).
This week, kudos to the others on Team Paso for helping Hope and sort of protecting her. Derek is a class act for taking charge of that team, and the others are as well for teaching Hope.
Tristan seems fairly mild-mannered, not the type to speak up a whole lot unless something really sticks with him. Last week all he said was, “It is what it is. Maks did what he thought he had to.” This week, different story. He saw something that bothered him and spoke up. Good for him.
I’ve never seen Maks to this extreme before, and it’s very concerning. But to be honest, he has no one to blame but himself. He’s the one who chose his partner. If he’s having buyer’s remorse, tough s**t. Hope’s doing the best she can with her abilities and having a slave driver for a partner. His behavior is unfair to everyone – Hope, the other pros/celebs and the audience. He needs to go. Period.
I can’t understand why Hope didn’t tell Maks off, at the very minimum, when Maks was so rough with her. I don’t know a lot of her back story, but I can tell you Kirstie wouldn’t have taken that from Maks. I’m surprised Hope did, as she doesn’t strike me as the shrinking violet type. That’s not a criticism of Hope! I just wonder why she thought that type of behaviour was acceptable.
Kudos to Tristan for saying what others were thinking. Ted is another Tony IMO. He knows who the boss is!
As far as the editing of the rehearsals is concerned, the producers just confirmed what Len tried to say last week in his comments – Half the fault with Hope’s dancing was Maks’ because of his teaching style.
I’m with Tristan: No matter how long you have been doing this THAT should NEVER happen.
I really hope Maks takes next season off and return to the way he was last season.
The judges overscored Hope last night. That performance should have gotten 7s at the most.
Here is what the New York dance experts in NEW YORK DAILY NEWS had to say about the dance:
HOPE SOLO
WHAT THE ‘DWTS’ JUDGES GAVE HER: 24
WHAT OUR JUDGES GAVE HER: 19
Mariana Parma: 6
She looked a bit scared at times. She also lost the hand connection while turning and it showed in her face.
Pamela Pribisco: 7
Mildly amusing performance. Hope exhibited more energy in her dancing than usual, but looks clumsy none the less.
Ney Melo: 6
Wow, maybe this show needs to be renamed “Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s Dancing with the Stars”! This week, Maks was able to get out of practicing the choreography (he hurt his pinky toe?!), show up to the practice just to berate Hope and the replacement partner, deliver a terrible performance and still get the judges to award him all 8s! The judges were so restrained in their critiques and generous in their scoring that it was as though they woke up with horses’ heads in their beds that morning a la “The Godfather”! I have never seen such a clumsy and awkward samba! Should Hope be sent home? YES. But does it even matter? When you have Maks as your partner, “bada bing bada boom, he takes care of it.”
To read what they say about the other couples: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/dancing-stars-week-7-york-dance-experts-judge-contestants-article-1.970407
I have a few questions…was Tristan in the rehearsal hall when Maks was being “abusive” with Hope? Did he see the actual event, or was he watching the same vid we were. And, if things went down as we saw in the edited vid, why didn’t Rob, Derek, Rikki, or Cheryl say something then? Or the cameraperson. Or call security?
Hope is an athlete..she plays women’s soccer. How many of you have attended a women’s soccer match, and listened to the hits these women put on each other ,without the presence of protective pads, I might add ? They’re rough, and fit…If Maks was abusing Hope, she could kick his behind into the middle of next week without even breathing hard.
Sorry, I’m in the minority here, but I don’t buy the cowplop the producers are spreading. Are they angry at Maks?…Ya think?
Maks seems very distracted and disinterested this season. In past seasons, there are always skads of media ops with Maks and whatever partner he has. This season, he seems particularly closed off from the media.
I wonder if he will be back next season since he seems to terribly unhappy to be there now. I know he has always been outspoken and controversial but this season, he just seems off balance.
DWTS has brought him national fame and tons of media attention to his DanceWithMe schools.Maybe he thinks he’s bigger than the show and he can move on. IDK whats going on but he just isn’t the same old Maks.
I agree 100% with auntie bellum.
While I think editing can do a lot, and perhaps could have found enough seconds here and there to put together a positive package, I agree that if he doesn’t do the poor behavior they can’t capture it on tape. How long has he been doing this, of course he knows it’ll go into the package. Doesn’t he know there’s a very real difference between “bad boy” and “mean boy”/bully. I’m sad to say he’s gone too far in my opinion.
Auntie, let me pose a question to you: if a woman’s a professional boxer and is used to getting hit all the time, does that make it ok for her husband to man-handle her? I certainly don’t think so – which is why I think there is no excuse for Maks hitting her the way he did, regardless of whether or not she’s “used to it”. And I’m not sure Tristan being there in person vs. seeing what we did would have much of an effect on whether or not what Maks did was appropriate – it looked rough without context, and unless Hope said “Hit me hard, Maks!” right before he did it, I’m not sure having context would have changed my mind about how abusive it looked. And we don’t know that someone else present DIDN’T say something – that same lack of context that you’re using to defend Maks could also condemn him. It very well could have been edited out.
Maks has been around long enough to know that whatever goes down in the rehearsal sessions is fair game for tv. If he doesn’t want to run the risk of getting a “bad edit”, then he shouldn’t be doing the stuff he’s doing. I’ve been saying it for several seasons now: you can only blame a “bad edit” for so long before you must consider the possibility that this is habitual behavior. While you may see these packages and think “They’re just mad at Maks!”, I look at them and say “They may not have anything better to show.”
Has Buttercup weighed in with any insight? I’d love to hear what she has to say about all this.
Maks is a complete idiot for the way he treated Hope last night (10-31-11) during group rehearsals. He needs to apologize to Hope on national TV. It made me sick to watch and he definitely crossed the line. I woke up thinking about Hope this morning…she doesn’t deserve to be on the receiving end of Maks personal problems. DWTS needs to do something with him. Also, Len needs to lighten up…I think its his time to go too.
I’m staying out of this, but their rehearsals have had a negative tone all season. Not to the point of abuse or hitting, just rude and belittling and frustrated and negative. I’m afraid what you see is what’s happening most of the time.
I’m definitely thinking this is Mak’s last season and I’m not entirely sure that it was all his decision. Regardless, don’t take it out on your partner. It was the look on the face of both Cheryl and Derek that really sold me that Maks went over the line. Did anyone else feel that Hope threw Maks under the bus with her comment to Brooke about how quickly she picked up the routine with Teddy? Some people do just learn better under different teachers and it’s a shame that Hope seems to be struggling with hers.
Disclaimer I’m basing my opinion on the packages which are only a small peephole on hours of practice.
Hunter: If I remember correctly Maks wasn’t meaning on doing THIS season. He changed his mind(or got an offer he couldn’t refuse) when Val signed on.
Courtney, I was in no way suggesting that Hope was used to getting hit, and shouldn’t mind…I was just saying that if any woman was capable of defending herself , it is Hope.
Maks pushed her shoulder back and twirled her to the floor. A male dancer posted on another blog, that she had to be in a certain position for him to twirl her or he would be unable to do the move properly. Paso is not a gentle dance. The edited vid is exactly my point. We weren’t there, so we don’t know. We’re seeing exactly what the people in charge want us to see. Sorry, I’m still not buying it.
I’m sure there is a lot of rude, frustrating,behavior going on while rehearsing…But, we still see only what they want us to see.
And did we just imagine the look on Cheryl and Derek’s faces too? There was a reason for those looks. If it was appropriate behaviour, they wouldn’t have looked at each other like that! Even if Maks treated Hope like that for just 10 seconds, it was inappropriate to say the least.
I feel for Hope in all of this. Her partner is not doing her any favors.
I’ve started and deleted more than one response today, trying to get what I’ve been thinking and feeling out. I am intending to post this, even if it’s not really what, or how I’m attempting to convey………..
I feel like we’ve been through this before with Maks, just not to this extent. He routinely has packages that are discussed to death, with people claiming that he’s just being misunderstood, language barrier, bad edit, tough teacher….. It happens season after season after season after season…… It’s like a theme that runs through, and it’s a very tiring one.
Nothing like what we saw last night. I didn’t like what I saw last night, and I do think he crossed a line…. I think he’s straddled that line often, balancing between being TOUGH and being ABUSIVE.
I will not accept people excusing it because he’s a “tough” teacher. Name me ONE pro on the show who ISN’T tough… Can’t do it, because there is none. They HAVE to be tough, or they won’t get far at all. They have FOUR DAYS to get someone who isn’t a dancer, to learn enough to make people think they’ve danced their whole lives. You don’t need to wear an iron glove to prove that you’re tough, it’s okay to be tough and wear a velvet glove, you just may get more results.
No, I don’t follow women’s soccer, and I didn’t know Hope until she ended up on the show. Yes, I know that she’s used to being tough, and balls flying at her, and how rough things can get on the field…. That’s not excusing Maks. She still deserves better.
Bellum, so in your opinion Hope should have hit back? Really? Her words spoke volumes when she said “stop being you.”
Bellum, there is a difference between a football pitch and a dance rehearsal space.
One more point…
I DO NOT EXPECT HOPE TO DO OR SAY ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t think she’ll do much, she will continue to sound supportive of Maks, and his teaching. She will not hit back. Why? They are in the middle of the season. To do or say anything right now will rock the boat much more than it’s already rocking. Lately, I’ve been getting the feeling that there’s some ABC exec hands on the Hope and Maks boat to make sure things don’t capsize… Rocking is okay, just don’t to anything to make everything capsize.
Do I think things are bad? Yes. I do think she’s been showing signs that it’s not right between her and Maks, and just trying to hold things together on camera. Do I think they get along? Well, yes and no. When it’s good, they get along, and when it’s bad, well, we saw how bad it got. If Maks and Hope acted like that in front of Ricki and Derek, and Rob and Cheryl, I do think there’s potential for more than what we saw. Maks seems to be on a downward spiral….. It’s too bad, because he is incredibly talented.
Maks needs to go. He has a successful business and he should focus on that. The media is getting on his case about his attitude and teaching methods. It may not be as bad as it was seen on tv but it leave us viewers a bad impression on him.
There is no excuse for how Maks treated Hope. None! If he’s stressed out now, I can only imagine how he’d feel next week when Hope has to go train for a match.
http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/10/27/hope-solos-life-is-about-to-get-much-more-complicated/
Ps. I don’t think Maks knows the difference between a vampire and a werewolf. What the F was that??? lol
Blatant manipulation by TPTB aided by a foolhardy man that has not learned to play the game. I watch this show to be entertained and I have not been entertained since Carson left. If Hope & Maks have a serious problem TPTB should have intervened . I mean they are not alone in the rehearsal room since a producer and cameraman are there recording all. Airing that clip was not necessary except for ratings, controversy, and showing Derek(who I admire) as the better man. IMHO
Yes heidi. I agree 100%. No man shouldnt treat a woman like that. Maks took it too far. Hope said stop. That should click in his head and say oh I better lay off.
I just love Maks to death and always will, but, wow, the “shove” he gave Hope is hard to ignore. 🙁 No matter how you look at it, that was wrong. There is no excuse for going that far. It is what it is no matter what kind of editing. Buttercup, what you said concerns me greatly too.
Btw, I didn’t see the ‘shove’ last night when I first watched the show. I was in between setting myself up from watching on the internet to watching the show on TV.
Anyway, I have feeling he won’t ever be asked to come back to the show and I’m not sure he wants to anyway. I think he’s totally burned out.
I know everyone wants to think that it’s the middle of the season, tempers are short, people are tired, there are two dances to do. First off, it is interesting to me that Maks was on the same team as Derek after he threw Derek under the bus on GMA. Maybe it was Derek’s way of saying “Let’s move on, let’s be a team, let’s put this behind us”. Second, there is no reason for Maks to act that way in a practice – he is a seasoned pro and should know better. All I can think is after he sounded off to Len last week, that the producers brought the judges and Maks in and talked about what would and would not happen from here on out. Maks is not one to take that sitting down and his attitude showed it last night. Tom Bergeron said that he thinks of Maks as a friend and hopes that what Maks did in talking back to Len did not result in Maks shooting himself in the foot. So everyone has seen what is going on and has a different spin. The thing I noticed is after Maks and Hope got their scores standing next to Brooke, Maks just walked away on his own and left Hope standing there. Hope obviously was more relaxed with Teddy in rehearsals this week and that speaks volumes as to how things have been going up until now. We have seen clips of Hope in tears. It is truly time for both of them to go – they aren’t enjoying themselves. Let the other dancers that really still want to be there be the ones that stay. We don’t need this drama. It’s a dancing show and all of this other stuff should remain behind the scenes. None of us want to see someone being demeaned, hit, or ridiculed. This has put a really bad spin on this season. It’s just sad. 🙁
Hi. I’ve got a question, I was reading this post and when I got to Heidi’s notes I read this line:
“…He took shots at the judges, he took shots at Derek, tried to deny all of it, then probably saw all of it on tape and was hopefully ashamed of it.”
I had no idea he took shots at Derek. So my question is when/where did this happen or when/where did he say it??.
And regarding Maks’ behaviour, I think he’s going a bit too far, kinda extreme, I didn’t like they way he treated Hope. Really glad Derek was there to help Hope, class act, as was Cheryl. I also agree with what Tristan said: “No matter whether you’ve been dancing for however long or just new to dancing, that shouldn’t be happening.” Maks needs to calm down.
Maks knew he would be super scrutinized after last week and yet he still gave them plenty of negatives to show. He probably knew he would have to pay his dues so he went ahead and gave the producers stuff to use. I do think they were showing him who’s boss. It’s not fair to his partner, however. How humiliating…shame on him.
Hi, I am a regular reader who rarely comments, but I felt that I had to this time. (BTW, I love this site and the debates here.)
Last night just made me sad. I love Maks and DWTS, but it is obvious that he is unhappy. We don’t know what has happened backstage, but something is so bad that he really couldn’t fake it last night.
I am quickly becoming disenchanted with the show myself, which is depressing because it has been my favorite show. This season has made the following painfully obvious to me:
1. The producers do heavy editing to create the drama that they want. We really don’t know what most of the rehearsal week is like, only what they choose to show us. (I know that this is done on other reality shows, too.)
2. The show is more heavily manipulated than I ever realized before with the song choices, edited packages, dance order, and judges’ scores.
3. The judges are getting unnecessarily mean in some of their comments. If I were a celebrity considering doing the show, there is no way that I would want to subject myself to this. They work very hard, and sometimes they still get humiliated by the judges.
4. The judges play such obvious favorites that it cheapens their scoring.
5. All of the pros are understandably going to protect their own jobs. They will now do anything they can to suck up to the judges, the viewers, and the producers now that they have seen what has happened to Maks.
I don’t think that Maks will be back, and I do feel that he has been thinking about this before this season. I miss the old Maks, and when he leaves I am not sure that I will watch anymore. I think that the judges and the producers are just ruining the show for me. Bummer…
After sleeping on it, I do wonder if Maks was reeled in by the producers and his frustration clearly showed. They may not only be threatening to fire Maks, but let Val go, since it was Maks who basically brought in his brother. No, pushing Hope wasn’t the best thing to do. We do not see the whole package of rehearsals, only what the producers want us to see.
On another note, I did notice Maks and Derek chatting with each other a couple of times. While not chummy, they clearly were not at total odds as last Tuesday night indicated to me while watching the results show.
As for Hope, she looked okay and not upset with Maks last night. Her comment about Teddy was interpreted by me to mean he came in and taught her quickly and not a slight on Maks. I am sure there was some “can Maks do it on his broken toe or not?” discussion before calling in Teddy.
First thing I thought was, “Jeez, that’s a misdemeanor assault right there with him shoving her backward.” And, if he ever tried that with Kirsti, he’d be in a producer’s office in two seconds flat. Maybe he got worked up BECAUSE Hope is so physical herself but, I ask you, what would the reaction have been if he gave a manhandling shove like that to Kristi or Brandy? Even Erin? That level of hostility is never OK.
Well, *I* see no excuse for that particular behavior of Maks AT ALL. I can’t believe people are actually excusing it. Regardless of context.
Lots of women are capable of defending themselves but don’t, for a variety of reasons. Do you think that hitting Maks back or doing more than what she did – “Stop being *you*” – would have been good or bad?? Improved the situation or made it worse?? I can’t imagine a public, on-camera response from Hope that would have improved that situation. Frankly, the camera did the work for her, Derek, Cheryl, Rob and Ricki. What more needs to be said?
For that matter, she clearly did have a LONG discussion with him, she was just smart enough to do it in front of deaf paparazzi as opposed to in studio where the show could use it. From her body language, and the way she kept wiping her eyes, I don’t think it was a positive convo. BUT, the fact that she took steps to discuss it with him doesn’t make the actual behavior okay.
Laura, Maks went on GMA the morning after the blow up and basically said that Derek never gets bad comments, always gets good partners and is only protecting his own career on the show by disagreeing with Maks. Just threw him under the bus for disagreeing with him. He THEN tried to claim in his blog that he never bad mouthed Derek – I think that he doesn’t really understand the concept of *TV* and what cameras actually do. 🙂
Winter, Derek will continue to be friends with girlfriends who treat him badly, he’s not going to dump Maks over one incident. That’s just his way – it can be highly aggravating at times. 🙂 He’s definitely not a bridge burner.
Cheryl C – I don’t even know where to start with your comments except to say….the show hasn’t changed, you’ve just now figured it out. As for the pros – none of them need to suck up at this point. They aren’t going to get fired for calling Len out or agreeing with Maks – Maks has been doing it for YEARS and he’s still around and he ain’t all that anymore. There are others just as popular or more so.
And frankly, with the exception of Chaz, the judges have not been the least bit OTT this season. Not even close to as bad as the last couple.
Abusers always have excuses dont’ they. In their warped mind there is never any acknowledgement of any wrongdoing on their part. Only excuses. I think he needs some professional help.
I am sick of Maks and I am sick of DWTS always showing this crap going on with him and his partners. Its so old. I hope Maks is never coming back to the show. I also hope that Val does not have any plans on following in his brothers footsteps.. As the new badboy Chmerkovskiy.
Heidi, I guess I have become more aware of the show’s weaknesses this season.Perhaps it’s because I am reading more and more criticisms of the show that point out things to me. I am just pretty bummed about the show right now.
Has this situation existed on an earlier season? The yelling and crying, yeah. The shoving in anger? Not on a broadcast network family show. I hope they don’t imply his behavior is OK.
henrietta hopesmith: The teams were chosen last tuesday after the result show – Maks wasn’t on GMA till wednesday morning. Which actually makes it even worse. Maks went from their first team rehearsal tuesday night onto GMA the next morning.
Ugh, this is so sad. Instead of talking about the sparkly dancing show we all used to enjoy, and complaining about Brooke or how the band butchered our favorite song, we’re discussing shoving, abuse, bullying, the pros and cons of retaliation, etc. These are legitimate topics and worthy of discussion. It’s just unfortunate that one person’s bad behavior has turned what’s supposed to be an entertaining show into this. I certainly hope ABC and the shows producers are getting an earful. I know they want to create buzz, but even they must realize that there’s good buzz and bad buzz. IMO we’re in bab buzz territory and someone needs to put the lid on it. Don’t expect it to happen, but I sure wish Hope and Maks would be eliminated tonight. It would be better for everybody!
I agree that Maks was a little much in the team rehersal clip. But remember we saw 10 seconds after many hours of the team practice. It was highly slanted against Maks and there was an edit between him shaking Hope and him walking off. It was made to look like he stormed off. After being manipulated many years with reality TV, I do not take the edited clips very seriously. Also everyone is saying how wonderfull Derek is, even though I think he is the best dancer on the show, is not a saint either. Either many of you have not watched from the first season of this show or you have short memories, but Derek has been just like Maks a few seasons in the past and has manhandeled more than one of his stars. And has fumed and cussed them out and stormed out of the room. So don’t be so quick to castigate Max completely. Maks was mad last night I believe becasue the again showed the blow up with the judges, prior to their individual dance and that was unnecessary. The clip had already been show on the prior results show.
Jay, you must have missed some of the earlier seasons when Derek pushed and hit his stars.
Ok can people stop using the term “abusive”? It’s a loaded term and no matter what you may think about what he did last night it is not tantamount to abuse. It is offensive and not to be taken lightly.
Tristan has every right to voice his opinion but if he only saw the short clip we did then maybe he should have thought twice. His opinion doesn’t carry much weight since he didn’t witness it firsthand. Rob, Cheryl, Ricki, and Derek saw it and more than likely everything else that went into it so I think they have the most credibility.
WILRAN – can you give examples of Derek pushed and hit his stars? I know that tempers flare but I don’t remember him ever hitting or pushing anyone?
As a survivor of domestic abuse, I could only wish that “abuse” was quite so simple.
i think Maks has gone too far this time around… i know…though love and everything…but there is a line that under no circumstances should have been crossed. i think the producers are always looking for the juice … and Maks keeps giving it to them…no way he shloud have treated Hope like this…unless it’s not just another (unorthodox) idea of Maks for keeping them in the competition…i don’t know…i really hope this is not the real him and that he is doing all that only for the show. even so….he crossed the line. i don’t think the producers wanted to make Derek the better man (he really IS the better man) …i think he stepped up as the team leader and as a pro…and so did Cheryl. I think Hope gave away her unhappiness by saying she learn the routine quickly with another pro. she responded very well to another way of dealing with things. Maks needs a break. is obvious he feels he’s gotten too big for DWTS. he is too frustrated and it shows.
Wrong. Derek has NEVER hit or pushed anyone. He’s said things he’s regretted, but he learned from them AND apologized. Something that Maks has yet to do.
Good heavens! What has happened to Maks since the end of last season? It’s only been, what, 5 months? I know that he has always been known for his shananegans, but this seems to go far beyond anything prior. I’ve never seen a partner of his seem so consistently unhappy, and he’s never seemed so…angry.
Wilran, you are treading on very dangerous territory accusing someone of pushing and hitting his partners without proof. Sounds like slander to me!
@Allie – I think Maks is verbally abusive. And I think that its his behavior that is offensive and should not be taken lightly.
# WILRAN
I am sorry…WHAT???? did you just say that???? really???? i saw every video of Derek’s rehearsal….and he had his share of dramatic moments … but he NEVER crossed the line…he never pushed or hit his stars. they only have had verbal confrontations…and they all ended with Derek and his partner apologizing one to another. so please!!! don’t even go there!
The reasoning behind showing that particular package could be that Maks called out the judges for disrespecing his partner and TPTB decided to show Maks doing exactly the same.
There’s no excuse for that type of behavior. Take away the fact that this is an entertainment show and that Maks is the teacher and Hope is the student… what you end up with is a man shoving a woman. That wouldn’t be condoned in any other type of setting and shouldn’t be here. I don’t care if Maks was upset, frustrated, mad… those are just excuses. I can’t help but wonder what might have happened if he hadn’t taken himself away from the situation for awhile.
Notice Wilran went away after he left that comment about Derek. Nothing to prove. Never happened. Heidi said it best: He said things he regretted but learned from it and apologized.
WILRAN…. I’ve watched every season that Derek has been on DWTS and he has NEVER PUSHED OR HIT ANY OF HIS PARTNERS. You are slandering Derek with such outrageous allegations.
I suggest you go and rewatch old episodes and post EVIDENCE of Derek’s so-called behavior before you go and accuse someone of it.
Mods.. my gut is telling me Wilran is a troll here to just bad mouth Derek.
Last night really opened my eyes. When Maks said in his package last week that he was the only one who hadn’t lost faith in Hope, I thought he had crossed a line. That was a cruel thing to say and Hope was clearly hurt by that. However, I rationalized that he must have apologized and she forgave him because they were showing such physical affection for each other during the performance and results show. However, that makes it even worse that Maks crossed the line to an even greater extent this week. I think he is very frustrated with the show and taking his frustrations out on the closest person (Hope) which is completely unfair. Now I feel really bad for her because she has been slammed in so many quarters for her attitude when she’s clearly been handed a bad deck and is trying to make the most out of it. People kept saying why can’t she just relax, have fun, why doesn’t she have chemistry with Maks, why is she breaking down in tears? Well, no wonder she’s so tense if this is the way Maks has been treating her. Celebs join the show because they think it will be fun, not to be put through an emotional ringer. If Maks really wants to protect her like he’s been saying since last week, then he needs to look at his own behavior and start apologizing for it at the very least. Hope has been doing her best to save his sorry reputation. She started sending supportive tweets yesterday, probably trying to head off what she knew was coming, and she was the one who planted a smile on her face doing post-performance interviews while Maks was super sullen. It’s time for him to do something.
WILLRAN- To be honest with you, I have yet to see Derek hit or manhandle a partner like Maks did to Hope. The only thing I remember him doing that was even close was he gave a slight shove to Joanna, which really wasn’t even bad at all in comparison.
It’s quite obvious all the pros have had spats with their partners, but I haven’t seen body language and tempers flare NEAR as bad as things have between Maks and Hope. I can’t even count how many times I’ve seen the poor girl cry or get on the verge of it. And how Hope reacts around Maks says a whole lot to me.
I love this blog but I never commented. Tonight I feel compelled. I used to love Maks. I really did but now I feel like he is purposely trying to get me to dislike him…and he’s succeeding. I was just getting past last week (I thought he had valid points but went about it the wrong way) and I was ready to fall in love with him again but instead at the end of the episode I just felt grossed out. First of all the episode sucked in general (so sick of theme nights) and then Maks acted like an unprofessional jerk. I really think he believes he can get away with anything. I’m torn between wanting to give Hope sympathy votes because she is trying so hard or not voting for them so I don’t have to deal with Maks. I have no idea what’s up with him but he needs to take a season off, grab some Midol, and get it together. As for Tristan, good for him for speaking up. And for those saying he can’t comment because he wasn’t there, he states that the clip was edited and we only got part of the story. I felt like he threw Maks a bone. So now I need to go mourn the loss of my delusional relationship with Maks. My heart now belongs to Tristan…
A thought just occurred to me while I was making dinner. I wonder if TPTB didn’t realize the backlash that would occur over showing those clips.
Yes, they wanted to “clip his wings” and show without speaking that a huge part of Hope’s failure is his fault and that she can learn easily from other pros.
But now, the internet is in an uproar about “abuse” and such and now if they don’t do something about Maks it will look like they condone abuse.
Odds are high that WILrAN is just a troll who can’t handle the Maks situation and is desperately trying to drag someone else into the mud. Sadly for him/her, there are few people who would believe such a thing ever happened and mos t know for sure it didn’t.
But posting shit isn’t a reason to just ban someone – if they keep it up we’ll talk.
Or I suppose they could have done it deliberately so they have the perfect excuse for firing him even though he’s a huge draw for the show.
Ok, just colour me confused.
I have to agree with auntie bellum that this is cowplop. I do believe the scene edit was manipulated to make Maks look bad. I am not buying ABC’s editing. No way would anyone in that room let
Maks do that nor would any woman before
let him do that either. It is pure cowplop. Hope
would have laid his butt out if he abused her in
anyway. Kirstie would have knocked him on his
butt if he did that. Please people stop buying
the hachet job by ABC.
Good point, jaci. You could be right.
I think there are people buying cow plop here jacey, but it’s not me and it not the majority of posters.
Can anyone see the disaster Mak’s PR person Jeremy Pond is creating on Twitter… he is going after Ricki Lake in such a vicious way… this is snowballing way out of control now.. it is like a jealous bunch of children…..
Now an associate/friend of Maks is not only TRASHING Ricki, he’s giving out medical information about Hope! IMHO, something’s wrong with Maks and it goes beyond DWTS
Here’s the link to his account: http://twitter.com/#!/Jeremydpond
Does he not realize how this could/does make Maks and Hope look?
This season has reached a new low, it is really sad… this has gone beyond the judges commentary and dance ability..
Melissa, what an obnoxious rude guy this friend of Maks is! Wish I hadn’t looked at his twitter page. He’s vile!
Heheheh….. You know what this says to me and probably most people?? Desperation. And a lack of class is contagious. Hope’s situation has nothing to do with Ricki, yet he’s desperately trying to make it about her – face the facts, Ricki is a good bit older thanHope and is ten times the dancer. How does he explain that??
Ya know, throwing Derek under the bus really worked well for Maks, didn’t it? (Um no) So, I’m sure this loser will come out smelling like a rose too, right? HA!! This shit is really getting kind of funny. I saw one publication refer to Maks as neutered today and now I’m just wondering if that is true and this guy thinks he is the answer.
There’s a smell in the wind….
I actually think maks would benefit from serious professional help. I’m getting worried about him and the sycophants around him.
@Meggie -Kudos to Tristan for saying what others were thinking. Ted is another Tony IMO. He knows who the boss is!
UMMM! Tony is business partner with Maks not Maks’ employee. Just saying.
I don’t believe Jeremy Pond is a PR person for Maks. He had a blog on him once, but, I don’t think they are close friends in any way? You are right though. Jeremy is going too far. If he and Maks are friends, I don’t think Maks would want him going on like that. But, I’m at a loss right now on Maks. I feel like I don’t know who he is any more? 🙁
All I know about this Jeremy ass is that he’s the one that got both Tony and Val’s Twitters verified quickly.
I was under the impression that Lizzie Grubman handled Maks’ PR. idk who this guy is but he’s not helping Maks in any way right now.
Thanks, Jeniffer. My point was that both Tony and Ted could not be objective because they were both deeply entwined in Maks’ world.
I’m sure all you remember Dennis Densantis aka Dr. Teas. He ranted all of season 11 about Jennifer and soon after that, Brandy and Maks were eliminated. I don’t think he and Maks speak anymore. Now Maks’ recent outbursts and this Jeremy guy goes off about Ricki? He’s sick. Maks has an issue or a few issues outside of the show. This Jeremy doesn’t make Maks or Hope look good. This is the same Jeremy guy who tweeted Cheryl how much fun Vegas was after the pictures came out of Maks and Cheryl ‘whispering’ in Vegas. Yet for some reason, this guy is still around and Dennis isn’t. I don’t get it and I don’t get Maks.
why are people saying Maks is abusive now. He was like that with Brandy. Nobody had a problem with it. Maybe his behavior was the reason for her cursing him out.
Melissa same guy different name? It’s not all that hard to set up an identity on twitter.
@Marlene Thinking Dennis and Jeremy are the same person? I wouldn’t rule anything out at this point.
@Tasha-I know for me personally, I saw Maks slap Brandy on her behind and took it as Maks being playful. I never saw the tension between Maks and Brandy that I see between Maks and Hope and I’ve noticed how other cast members have reacted. Derek to me has never been a greater person than he was last night.
Also after Maks slapped Brandy’s behind, former partners came to Maks’ defense. I remember reading a tweet from Erin Andrews shortly after that telling Maks something like “you’re an amazing teacher. You know that.” I think Denise Richards and Debi Mazar even tweeted things of that nature. I haven’t seen much support/if any support from prior partners, current cast mates in support of Maks this season and that speaks volumes to me.
@Melissa, Kirstie tweeted support for him after his altercation with the judges but has been silent on last night’s episode.
And as for the jeremy guy, yeah it wouldn’t surprise me if it was the same person and he’s not necessarily tweeting with Mak’s support or permission.
@Marlene:Thanks for filling me in on Kirstie. I wasn’t aware.
Could be the same person and Twitter isn’t always a good gauge of who’s friends with who, but Maks does follow him.
I have seen more than one person comment about Maks and the “abuse” term… How is it different from Brandy? Isn’t it just a bad edit? Why are people throwing around the “abuse” term?
Well, I cannot talk for everyone, just myself. I’ve watched the show since season 3, so quite a few years already.
For me, I’ve simply had enough. I’ve seen and heard the same old song and dance time after time after time, and I’ve just decided that there is no excuse that I can make any further.
Up until now, it was easy to make excuses, and easy to say that he had a bad edit….. But HE GAVE THEM the stuff.
Is he an abuser? I honestly think he has the potential.
This topic is really a crazy one. I tend to side with Auntie Bellum to be honest. Hope growing up always had to deal with guys talking about her shoulders and muscles and saying that she could beat them up. She just lately, about 4 years ago I think, started to feel good about her body type. She is a tough chick and it’s doing her a disservice as the best female goalkeeper who has gotten into fights on the field, karate chopped girls down, etc., to say this thing with Maks is too much for her. I really think they were acting out a fight they previously had. Everything about their rehearsals looks so staged and scripted. Maks had issues as well with Mel B, if you remember, however they got along so well that it probably didn’t look like Hope and Maks look.
There is a training camp opening up next week. Hope does NOT have to be there for the whole thing. It is for a friendly, not for the Olympics. That camp is in December. Hope may go to the camp for the friendly possibly right around Week 10 of this show, IF she even has to be there.
Jeniffer, go take a time-out. You only seem to crop up when you wanna pick a fight with someone. Meggie was using a figure of speech…the defensive response was uncalled for.
Tasha, hit publish ONCE – not 3 times.
Moderator Courtney is out in full force this week – fair warning. We’ve reached the point in the season where I’m rather burnt-out & my tolerance for trolls & spam are at an all-time low. Please guys – don’t test my patience.
there is one reason and one reason only why the producers cut that package the way that they did – RATINGS. They knew it would get people talking, about a lackluster season, and IT HAS. I don’t believe they care one way or the other about ‘getting back’ at Maks. They want to make good reality TV (and edited TV is not real, in any way shape or form).
It does scare me how many people (not here) are defending his actions. That’s why abusers (mental, physical) keep doing it – there is always an excuse.
Never really been a Maks fan, definitely not one now.
You are all going to want to check the new interviews with Maks and Hope in this new post. He’s made a complete turn around and hopes his fans don’t feel betrayed, etc.;
https://www.puredwts.com/2011/11/02/dwts-13-week-7-interviews-after-the-elimination-information-on-week-8-dances-revealed/
And “DWTS”, we’ve seen you before, haven’t we?
Sorry to have ruffeled so many feathers. I should have said that Derek has been physical with previous partners when they were not catching on as fast as he liked. To accuse me of trying to trash Derek is the farthest thing from the truth. I think Derek and his sister have always been the best on the show and enjoy watching him and look forward to seeing what new dance he has coming up each week. I check out this website a few times a week. I am sorry that by making a comment, that some believe I should keep my thoughts to myself. So I will from now on. I will still check out the website, just not comment.
:::rolls eyes:::: In case you haven’t noticed, WILRAN, dancing is physical. People TOUCH each other. Partners move each other into position. To equate what all the pros do with what Maks did is the ultimate in ridiculousness.
Someone’s worried about his fan base. Well, whatever it takes.
I really hope he follows up his words in the interviews from last night with actions. I usually like Maks very much, but I’ve lost a lot of respect for him the last few weeks.
For the first time this season I ventured a look at the ABC message board. Stupid idea – I know! 🙂
Still the same trash talking as always. I saw this comment and found that after the last few week I kinda agreed with the person who replied to this post from a topic about a 2nd Michael Jackson tribute on DWTS:
“Getting pretty tired of people putting him(MJ) on a pedestal. Some of his music was great but his personal side really sucked.”
The reply, that I found myself agreeing with:
“Kind of like Maks?” (substitute music with dance)
BTW: did anyone read that article from USmagazine?
I find it REALLY hard to believe that 1) They hate each other that much and 2) That Derek would say what he is being quoted for in that article.
Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/dwts-maksim-chmerkovskiy-derek-hough-hate-each-other-2011211
Gitte, I see what you mean about the MJ comparisons. That’s kind of how I feel too right now. I still love Maks’ dancing, but, as a person he’s disappointed me these last few weeks.
And I saw that article too. As Heidi told me privately yesterday, desperate fans will do desperate things. Maks is in trouble, but, I don’t believe Maks and Derek hate each other like that. Derek wouldn’t say things like that either even if it is true. It’s not in his character to “hate”. Also, whoever the “insider” (or “so called friend”) is should be ashamed of themselves. They are not doing anyone any favors like they think. Sad.
@Gitte – I do believe at least part of the article. The part about Maks hates Derek. Absolutely. Maks whole personality reaks of entitlement. Maks is super jealous of all the attention and/or wins that Derek has incurred. Maks statement about Julianne I also believe, flashback to the Maks and Karina breakup. Maks is a bitter person and he says what he thinks. So could he have said that about Julianne. Sure. There was also an article on DWTS twitter some time ago that portrayed tension backstage toward Derek by his fellow pros. Me thinks there is quite a bit of jealously behind the scenes.
Copied my comment from where this was brought up on another post:
LOL – What I see when I read that US article is the sudden realization that Derek is a star – That’s the second US feature on Derek in the last month. In this case, as in the first case, it’s probably all made up bull. When would Julianne ever have had time to date Maks?? LOL!! Although, the way that character that claimed to be a friend of Maks was trashing Ricki all over twitter the other night, I would not be surprised if this was one of his “friends” purporting to be an insider DESPERATELY trying to change the subject back to “mean old Derek”. And I mean desperately. For the last several days, that smell in the air?? Fear. Fear that perhaps he fucked up a little too badly this time.
Nah, Sandy, I don’t think there’s tension towards Derek. Maybe toward Maks at this point. If there is jealousy, I would limit it to Maks and Louis….and maybe Mark. And none of them have really kept it secret.
I think the women are much bigger people than the men. We always are. 😉
My power was out for 3 days and with generator hookup I was only able to scan briefly some articles. So I apologize if I may respond to something that was previously discussed. I have not had the chance to read everything and I doubt if I will at this point. Power up and running, Only forward march at this point… Hallejah for generators!!
3 days? Geez. I hope your ok. WELCOME BACK!!xx
Thank You, Vogue. How sweet of you. 🙂 Its great to be back. Now hopefully we can all move forward from this topic. Maks is wearing me out!
He is me too Sandy!!
To the guy who wrote this article,
What the Hell do you mean by “It looked abusive to some people”??
Are you saying It “looked like it” but in fact, it wasn’t??
It’s clearly a VIOLENT! Leave the producers alone! They didn’t make it that way, The scene wasn’t edited or anything. Maks has a mental problem can’t you see that? you hopeless idiot!!
Joyce – CALM THE F*CK DOWN. First off, how many guys do you know who call themselves “Voguerista”? Secondly, your opinion is not fact, so don’t for one second pretend like it is – some think Maks was “abusive”, some don’t. Thirdly, you completely missed the point of this article – no is claiming that the producers staged Maks’ actions; the point of contention is whether or not they were trying to punish him by including the footage in his rehearsal package. Fourth, the minute you start slinging insults around here, I just start deleting your bullshit…so either find a way to post more calmly and intelligently or get out.
I have a feeling I will probably have to disable comments on this thread by day’s end…
Full moon???
Thanks Courtney!!! I didn’t realize Joyce was speaking to me.
Fact Maks is excellent. Fact Maks is hot! strong and graceful and a bunch if other adjectives. So it’s to his advantage that he got voted back each week. Not to Hope’s. face it you wanted to see him dance more so than her. She just didn’t have it and that’s ok, but it was like dragging a lifeless corpse back each week. If you listen to her from almost week 1 she wasn’t feelin this. I think Maks tried his damndest with her and the more he tried the more intense he got. He really didn’t need to defend her and when he did it never worked IMO. It just made him look foolish at times. I understand the idea of feeling like you need to protect her but I don’t think Antibes judging him so he shouldn’t take it that way. He’s already the pro. They’re looking at her. So just chill. She brought out the worst in him. He actually seems easygoing but she made him snap! Someone on a different forum had it right. Her attitude made him go viral. When he finally started criticizing the judgments then she was cool with him? Misery loves company and what that say about her dragging someone else down. Sadly Hope So-lo was a no no. Stick to your day job. It’s more than most have done.
Maks basically didn’t know what to do. It was hard to crack Hope’s shell. Even with a professional she constantly needed to save face and couldn’t stop competing with him long enough to trust him. He tried varying approaches to “find her”. It seems like he never did bc she wouldn’t let him. Having your family have dinner with your student,, your mom giving her gifts, bringing in other ppl trying more fun dances trying to be more lighthearted, being silent some weeks during judging (for the sake of their “team”) and nothing still clicked with her. No one else had to go to those levels so that show he tried. The others all tried to improve even the weaker/earlier castoff. She did not. She begrudgingly went out there each week. Well damn time to go DANCE! Save it. She should have been gone . But it was good tv while it lasted. As long as it wasn’t overboard the producers are probably ok.
Qbb- I agree completely with your assessment. It was what I was feeling throughout the show. And no I did not drink the koolade (LOL) nor do I think Maks is perfect. But I do love to watch the man dance.
Hey, the fact that Maks was able to get the klutzy Hope to the semi-finals is a miracle. She should be grateful. I never thought it could happen after seeing her the first couple of weeks.