Michael Bolton was eliminated last evening from DWTS and spoke to GMA about how he felt Bruno Tonioli was too harsh on him and owes him a public apology. Bruno Tonioli called Michael Bolton’s jive the worst he’s ever seen. Bolton said his 90 year old mother flew in for the show and that he just did not expect that level of disrespect from Bruno.
The shows producers released a statement today and said:
“Bruno’s role as a judge is to give his honest opinions on the quality of the dances he’s judging, which is what he did in this case.” “While we respect the feelings of our celebrities and dancers,” say producers, “we don’t feel Bruno should be expected to apologize for doing his job.”
What do you think? Did Bruno cross the line or was he just doing his job? Should he be expected to apologize?
Bruno certainly isn’t very nice. Yes, it’s his job to judge but I think he could express himself without insulting people. I think he “goes for the laugh” lots of times, without thinking about peoples feelings.
But, if he owes Michael Bolton an apology, he certainly owes my daughter Kate one also!!!
That’s what I was thinking, Mom of KT. 😉
It may be his job to judge on the show but he was also rude regarding Kate on the talk show circuit. His comments while judging are not constructive criticism but rather attention seeking behavior.
VERY well-said, Paige!!
Bruno isn’t one I care for, but he is who he is. A critical OTT judge. Isn’t that the part he plays on the show? It sounds like there’s a lot of ego going around for both of these of these guys.
Does this mean the truth is out about Michael Bolton? Does this mean he is an arrogant narcissist? Can you imagine if Kate had asked for an apology? Whoo hooo!, what a hoopla that would have caused.
But, if he owes Michael Bolton an apology, he certainly owes my daughter Kate one also!!! ~Mom of KT
Ita
It is time for DWTS to go. The first couple of seasons were fun but it has gotten so predictable – you can figure out on day 1 who will be going home and who will win it all. There was a time when I couldn’t wait for Monday night, now I would rather watch Hoarders. That said, Bruno has been like that from day 1 and anyone going on the show should be aware of that and ready to hear what he says, good bad or indifferent. No different than the nasty stuff Simon would say on AI (he even made comments on people’s weight which has nothing to do with singing ability. I don’t think Bruno owes him an apology – it was a pretty bad jive. lol
Rhonda
Bruno’s job is to “cross the line.” I’m not a fan.
Even Len told him he was wrong. He said that it was only week two and they should be giving constructive critisism. Bruno’s mouth didn’t bother me as much as his score. A 3, now that was harsh!
Rhonda, I agree with you that any one going on DWTS or shows like that should be aware of what they signed up for. Michael Bolton comes across as pretty thin skinned.
That said, I have watched for many seasons, and I think Bruno has gotten worse. His ego is out of control. He went out of his way to speak disrespectfully of Kate, as Paige pointed out. His theatrics – even when he is praising someone are just tired.
I still like the show (don’t vote anymore now that Kate isn’t on, however), but I’d be fine if Bruno’s slot was filled. Maybe they could use rotating judges, such as the pros that were voted off?
I still love Len!
Is anyone else watching now that Kate isn’t on? LOL. I have a soft spot for Bristol Palin. She is so young and doesn’t have any show business experience. It takes guts to get out there (similar to the guts Kate exhibited).
I am watching intermittantly–when Bristol is dancing only. I also voted for her this week–just with one phone. Not like I voted for Kate–sixty some times. I like Bristol and I like Sarah, so that’s why but I don’t really like the show. I really think it is rigged!
Mom of KT,
Love your avatar! 🙂 Anyone else out there that wants a personalized avatar go to http://en.gravatar.com/. Just make sure that you use the email that you register your avatar with on this site also for it to show up.
I have to give anyone of the dancers credit that has no experience in the dancing field. Putting dancers on with experience made me quit watching the show. Jennifer Grey danced with PS, so compare that to Kate who never danced. Unfair.
I don’t like how they judge, you can kill someone with kindness. It’s just how you say it and what tone you use. MB should have received 5’s like the rest of the dancers who could not dance.
You know the old saying, “When you stumble, make it part of the dance”.
Is anyone else watching now that Kate isn’t on?
I am, Anya, although now that House is on he wins out during the first hour. I had to catch the ones I missed (that I cared to see) on youtube. I am also impressed with Bristol, but Audrina Patridge and Rick Fox are my current favorites. I like almost everybody this year. Florence Henderson is an extremely impressive 76 year old, but I wish she hadn’t shown us her abs in show 1.
Bruno is silly; not wild about Carrie Ann; do like Len.
Thanks for that avatar site, Pam. It’s been so long since I created mine that I had forgotten the site. It’s time for a change, I think.
(crossing my fingers that I followed Ann’s instructions for bold type correctly)
I think Kate is giving all the judges a slap in the face by taking the highroad. What is that verse – something about heaping burning coals on top of their head?
I don’t think Michael Bolton should have been given a 3. He was bad, but so were lots of other dancers, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 3.
I think I would know for sure that this really is Kate’s mom if she used an Ohio Buckeye’s avatar! 🙂
Mary G – you are an HTML rock star! Rick Fox has been impressive, hasn’t he? I also think Florence is doing great too. I must have missed the abs though…!
Snickers, I agree. It’s a real problem with me too. It isn’t quite as fixed this year, but last year was BAD with Nicole S. How much more satisfying would it have been for Evan or Erin to win? I know some are going to have more performing background than others, but I like a somewhat even playing field.
Mom of KT, it also annoys me that they seem to be doing the same thing to Bristol that they did to Kate – making her go last or near to the end. I would have loved to see what Kate might have accomplished if her nerves didn’t get the better of her and I think going first would have helped her. Oh well, over and done with, and on to the next opportunity!
I’m not a fan of Bruno’s – he is too much of a clown and now he seems to be doing the Simon-Cowell-meanie-act just to get more attention. I really like Len (who I think is legitimately critical – he has standards – and also kind of old-man cranky in a funny way) and Carrie Ann, but I just tolerate Bruno.
I think Michael Bolton comes off little whiny asking for an apology, though.
I’ve never been a regular American Idol fan, but I think there’s a big difference between Simon & Bruno. Simon’s point always has been that the contestants claim that, regardless of the outcome of the show, they want a career performing in the music industry, a notoriously brutal industry where, yes, things like weight do matter, particularly for women. Look at how Ann Wilson of Heart, an established star, was treated when she gained weight. If a contestant is not able to handle Simon, he/she is going to have a nervous breakdown in the real music industry.
The difference is that on DTWS, the contestants at least are supposed to be rank amateurs who have no intentions of dancing professionally EVER. I think Bruno passed OTT and into deliberately cruel and hurtful a long time ago. When his fellow judges are clearly shocked at what he’s saying, that should tell you something because each of them can be pretty cutting, too.
In the case of Jennifer Grey, I initially thought it was a Nicole thing, but the People article reminded me that the point of her being cast in DD was that she was an amateur. Also, shortly after it was filmed, she was in a serious car accident and recently had surgery to correct damage from that accident that she had been living wih for decades so she didn’t keep up with the dancing. That’s not like Nicole who recently was in a group that has its own choreographer who created it.
OK–One of you ladies tells me to use my pic and now another says they would know for sure it’s me if I used an Ohio State avatar–I’m confused! You are kidding, right Anya? Go BUCKS!!! lol!
I don’t watching now that Kate is not on. I am curious to know what the ratings are this season. I’ve been watching Glee instead.
I don’t think Bruno owes him an apology. That’s his schtick and I’m sure some people watch just to see what he’ll say. He’s like the Simon of DWTS. Plus, anyone who competes on the show (especially if they are bad) should know there is a chance they will get slaughtered by Bruno. I do think he tries to come up with some wonderfully (in his mind) catty and clever comments instead of offering constructive criticism or thinking about how his comments could hurt someones feelings.
Well, I’m not a fan of Bruno by any means but he should not apologize to Michael Bolton. That was hard to watch especially when he crawled out of the doghouse… Uuuugggh. How is it any better then telling Kate that Tony was pushing a shopping cart around? From what I am hearing it is a good thing that the Hoff was sent home cause apparently he talked way too much and was very annoying.
He is the Simon Cowell of DWTS. I probably won’t even watch American Idol anymore w/o Simon. Thank goodness my hometown girl Crystal was on last year. Can’t wait for her CD.
Oh and sorry Mom of KT… But GO BLUE! He! He!
Never watched DWTS before Kate…& thought Bruno had a serious case of DT’s. Have to admit I too have been peeking in to see Bristol. This teenager has gone through a remarkably rough 3 yrs. It’s delightful that she can face her ‘demons’ & yet hold tight to the family she loves. Whether you like or dislike the Palin message…the messengers have character strengths that women could look up to w/o shame.
Not a fan of Bruno’s. He does need to stop trying to make his responses so over the top. I’m glad Len reprimanded him. Bruno needs to tone down his criticism, or at least know when it’s critcism or just plain mean. (which I thought his comments to Kate were last season). There’s a difference between critcism and meanness.
However, I think Michael Bolton does not deserve an apology and much a do was made over this. Bolton seemed so off-guard on where it all came from the night it happened, and as an afterthought almost (or after his fellow dancers started talking or it was all over the tab shows), he now sticks up for himself. Too late. I know, he wanted his mom to have a nice time in the audience that night, and perhaps, the apology should be said to her, but not Michael directly.
BMBMGoblue, totally agree…it was hard watching the dog routine. Someone should’ve put a halt to that at the first rehearsal for that dance.
If anyone, Bruno needs to apologize to Kate for his mean comments last season. They were uncalled for.
Mom of KT, great avatar!
Mom of KT, just a little joke on my part! 🙂
Lovely picture!
PeggyP – I agree with all your points in post #18. Thank you for laying it out so well.
Teresa, I haven’t watched “Glee” before this season. However, I watched half of the first episode and all of the second of this season. I have to say, I understand why people really like the show. Hopefully, with the able assistance of my DVR, I can make it a habit. I never cared that much for the DWTS results show anyway. I don’t like seeing people get voted off knowing how hard they have to work….
BMBMGoBlue: So you are a State Penn fan or a WolverWEINIE fan? Either way –you will LOSE!! Ha Ha!! Gooooooooooo BUCKS!
PeggyP, I agree with your point about the differences between AI and DWTS. I think Bruno is trying to be like Simon; I don’t think he’s succeeding (and you make a good argument for why there’s not much justification for him even trying).
I really don’t see Jennifer Grey as a ringer, and have been surprised by how well she’s done. I don’t love her (I think the first week I felt like she was milking the Swayze connection, and that put me off), but she has been truly impressive.
I haven’t watched this season. Only watched last season because Kate was on. Sounds like Michael Bolton is very respectful towards his mother. That’s the point most will remember log after Brunos theatrics fade.
Bruno was doing his job. I thought that the jive MB did was rediculus. NO RYTHYM AT ALL. He was BOBO The Dancing Bear.
I can’t believe with his singing that Michael Bolton has no rhythm whatsoever. I thought the two went hand in hand. In my opinion he’s a big cry baby. Everyone knows how Bruno is. He’s the Simon Cowell of dancing. He calls a spade a spade and tells it like it is. I’ve never seen him wrong either. I love Bruno! He makes the show.