I was quite taken aback by some of the things Maks said. I think it's great that he's protective of his partner, but I don't think he's doing her any favors by talking back this much. After all, the judges are supposed to be critiquing and weighing the performances. Though Len is grumpy, he does not insult performers personally and coldly the way Simon Cowell tends to. In this case, also, I think Len was probably right about Hope; last night she didn't show as much of a sense of rhythm and flow as some of the other dancers (notably JR), or as other athletes from previous years, such as Laila Ali.
The remark that shocked me the most was the one (I'm paraphrasing here) about Len having been around for too long. That's way out of line. So is the remark that he (Maks) helped make the show what it is. Cripes, both Len and Bruno are judges on both the American show and the British one. Their expertise has been instrumental to the show's success. I love Maks, but he should think twice before he mouths off like that. It just looks whiny. He's a good dancer, but so are all the others. Derek and Mark, probably the two best choreographers, don't fuss even when they're scolded for trying something that's just outside the rules. Even rebellious little Lacey Schwimmer pretty much smiles and accepts her criticism. Surely Maks can bite his tongue for five minutes while the microphones and the cameras are on him. He should apologize for this one, I think, because he called into question the very authority of a judge. That's like a judge telling one of the pro dancers that he/she isn't good enough to be a professional partner.
But didn't you love the two quicksteps, the ones by Ricki/Derek and JR/Karina? They were both just supreme.
The remark that shocked me the most was the one (I'm paraphrasing here) about Len having been around for too long. That's way out of line. So is the remark that he (Maks) helped make the show what it is. Cripes, both Len and Bruno are judges on both the American show and the British one. Their expertise has been instrumental to the show's success. I love Maks, but he should think twice before he mouths off like that. It just looks whiny. He's a good dancer, but so are all the others. Derek and Mark, probably the two best choreographers, don't fuss even when they're scolded for trying something that's just outside the rules. Even rebellious little Lacey Schwimmer pretty much smiles and accepts her criticism. Surely Maks can bite his tongue for five minutes while the microphones and the cameras are on him. He should apologize for this one, I think, because he called into question the very authority of a judge. That's like a judge telling one of the pro dancers that he/she isn't good enough to be a professional partner.
But didn't you love the two quicksteps, the ones by Ricki/Derek and JR/Karina? They were both just supreme.