Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Hope Solo’s partner at Dancing With The Stars show got into a blazing row with judge Len Goodman following the couple’s Rumba to “Seasons Of Love” from the Broadway Musical Rent.
Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 31, lost his nerve with Len Goodman, 67, after he dubbed the pair’s performance as “the worst of the whole season”.
The retort ended up in a back and forth between the two men.
“Let me tell you, Maks, the audience likes the effect,” said Len Goodman.
“I’ve been in this business for nearly 50 years.”
And Maksim Chmerkovskiy replied: “Maybe it’s time to go.”
The fellow judge Carrie Ann Inaba yelled at Maksim Chmerkovskiy:
“Don’t be disrespectful like that.”
But Maksim Chmerkovskiy could not be silenced, and even after Bruno Tonioli attempted to calm the situation, he continued his wrath:
“Everybody on that balcony has been dying and killing themselves only to hear your guy’s a little judgmental comments.”
“I am not being disrespectful, I’m protecting my partner.”
Then, Maksim Chmerkovskiy continued his protests to host Brooke Burke:
“With all due respect, this is my show.”
“I help make it what it is.
“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!”
In the end, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Hope Solo scored 20 points for their performance.
But they were not the couple with the lowest score.
Chaz Bono and his partner Lacey Schwimmer were given the lowest points of the night, just 19.
After he succeeded with samba which kept him in the competition last week, Chaz Bono failed with his tango to theme song from Phantom Of The Opera.
Cheered on by girlfriend Jenny Elia from the crowd, Chaz Bono emerged on the floor in the famous white mask and tuxedo combination.
This time the judges thought the transsexual contestant looked out of place.
“This character didn’t fit you,” said Bruno Tonioli.
“At week 6, I want to see a little more content,” fellow judge Carrie Ann added.
