Unhappy Feet: Cher annoyed by Bruno’s ‘penguin’ criticism of Chaz on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ [video]
“It was a different Phantom, wasn’t it? It was like a cute little penguin trying to be a big menacing bird of prey…. Some roles fit certain characters, and some roles don’t. And, to me, this character didn’t fit you.”
Bruno Tonioli, the gay judge from ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, criticizing the show’s first transgender contestant, Chaz Bono, for his tango with partner Lacey Schwimmer. The show’s other judges, Carrie Ann Inaba and Len Goodman were slightly more encouraging but asked Bono for more aggression. The week’s theme was Broadway and Bono performed in a tuxedo to the theme from “Phantom of the Opera.” (ABC / DWTS)
Rehearsal video showed a frustrated Schwimmer telling Bono that, after six weeks, he could not continue to rely on her and his personality anymore to get him through to the competition. The pair ended up with a 19, the lowest score of the week. (Ricki Lake and J.R. Martinez led the night with near-perfect scores of 29.)
Bono, never a man of many words, responded that there wasn’t much to say in reaction. He later Tweeted:
“Tonight was rough, I thought @LaceySchwimmer did a good job. Scores were very disappointing.”
His proud mother, Cher, did however did have plenty to say in reaction (also on Twitter) about Tonioli:
“Chaz U Worked HARD &I’M PROUD! Tango is Tough! I Thought u were Very ” Phantom”Know you’re Dissapointed By Score!ME 2 ! Remember ur a BONO
“That guy has NO RM 2 TALK LITTLE PENGUINS
“IS IT DWTS Or LOOKING PERFECT WTS? ITS EASY 4 HIM 2 TAKE CHEAP SHOTS AT CHAZ ! LET HIM COME 2 ‘MY’ STAGE
“I COULD TEACH HIS LITTLE ARM WAVING ASS SOME MANNERS ! Critique CHAZ’S DANCE STYLE, MOVEMENTS ETC,.BUT DON’T MAKE FUN OF MY CHILD ON NAT.TV
“IT’S NOT ABOUT CHAZ WINNING ! HE’S DOING HIS BEST& HE WILL STAY AS LONG AS HE STAYS ! THATS ‘SHOW BUSINESS’ BUT, DONT B UNKIND 4 NO REASON”
Last week, “colorful” Carson Kressley received the lowest number of votes and was sent packing. He said numerous times during his run that he did not consider himself well-coordinated but, week after week, he was lauded for making the show fun and and for bringing humor to the dance floor. He seemed to take his dismissal well, and with his time freed up, Kressley made a video about his search for a new boyfriend:
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
