Maksim Chmerkovskiy Freaks Out at Judges on Dancing with the Stars

There was some serious drama during Monday night's Broadway-themed episode of Dancing with the Stars. Hope Solo and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy received the judges' harshest feedback of the night -- and the dancing pro didn't take kindly to the criticism.

After the duo's dance to Rent's iconic song "Seasons of Love," Chmerkovskiy completely lost his cool, verbally attacking the judges.

Len Goodman kicked things off with his critique: "This is your worst dance of the season, in my opinion... Half the fault is yours Max." And that's when the action started.

When Goodman said "I've been in this business for 50 years," Chmerkovskiy snapped back "Maybe it's time to get out!" The two went back-and-forth -- with fellow judges Carrie-Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli stepping in to defend their right to criticize each performance.

"Everybody's putting in a lot of effort, everybody on that balcony has been dying and killing themselves only to hear you guys' little judgmental comments," Chmerkovskiy said.

"That's the name of our show!" Inaba responded.

But the dancing pro wasn't done "protecting his partner" when he got up to the balcony. After receiving a 20 (the second-lowest score of the night), he continued his rant to host Brooke Burke. "With all due respect, this is my show. I help make it what it is," he said. "I love every aspect of it; I love every professional that's ever been here and I love every celebrity that puts effort into every week. Having said that, I'm a little tired that we’re being judged, some on effort and some being picked on, on heel leads!"

But while his hot-headed reaction didn't earn him any points with the judges, Chmerkovskiy did receive support from his friends. His former Dancing partner Kirstie Alley commended his outburst via Twitter. "@MaksimC Maximus Aureius, Hear U went all Gladiator @ the coliseum last night," she posted Tuesday morning. "Protected the Queen @ all costs..Thumbs Up!! I Salute you!! xo"

And his younger brother Val Chmerkovskiy (who, along with partner Elisabetta Canalis, was voted off earlier this season) also had his back. "Wow @MaksimC just reinvented 'with all do respect...'" he twittered. "Hahaha #juckthefudges."

After Maks had cooled down a bit, he had a slightly less aggressive attitude toward the judges -- but he still defended his reaction.

"Len is the only one who comes from a ballroom background, and I really respect his opinion," he told The Hollywood Reporter after the show. "I've danced for 27 years, and I've won more titles than Len ever even participated in… I feel like it's my show, and together, with other pros, I dedicated six years of my life to this show. I've helped make it what it is, but I've never taken it away from anybody else who participated...It's my show, and I didn't mean it in a selfish way. I love it. It's what I love doing. Our fans are phenomenal."

Watch Maksim's outburst below!

 

Other highlights include:

Meanwhile at the top of the leader board...Ricki Lake and Derek Hough reclaimed their top spot, earning a 29 for their "poetry in motion" dance to "Luck Be a Lady" from Guys and Dolls. "Impeccable style, outstanding choreography," Tonioli commented. 

But this week, they shared the No. 1 ranking with J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff, who have yet to falter and also earned a 29 for their complicated quickstep. "What you've done is created a rip-roaring, audience-rising, 11 o'clock number that's a hit!" Tonioli gushed.

Nancy Grace and Tristan MacManus received a 24, their highest score to date, for their foxtrot to a song from the musical Spamalot.  "You nailed it. I will call that a show stopper," Inaba said.

Later in the competition, the season's first group dance to two songs from Bob Fosse musicals ("Big Spender" from Sweet Charity and "Money" from Cabaret) featured each couple doing a signature move, and Grace managed an elaborate lift which required her to basically straddle MacManus' head -- upside down.

"Nancy you get an extra bonus point for your little special move there honey!" Goodman said.

Leader Board Results, Week 6:

Ricki Lake & Derek Hough: 29
J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff: 29
Nancy Grace & Tristan MacManus: 24
David Arquette & Kym Johnson: 23
Rob Kardashian & Cheryl Burke: 22
Hope Solo & Maks Chmerkovskiy: 20
Chaz Bono & Lacey Schwimmer: 19

 

Watch the first group dance!

 

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/maksim-chmerkovskiy-freaks-out-judges-dancing-stars/1-a-395849

Emma Heming Emma Stone Emma Watson Emmanuelle Chriqui Emmanuelle Vaugier Emmy Rossum