DWTS Producers: Bruno Tonioli Shouldn't Apologize to Michael Bolton
Credit: Bobby Bank/WireImage.com; Jordan Strauss/WireImage.com
Michael Bolton won't be getting an apology from Dancing with the Stars judge Bruno Tonioli -- not if the show's producers have anything to do with it.
ABC released a statement from the show's producers on Wednesday defending the sharp-tongued Tonioli -- who bashed Bolton's dancing on Monday night's show. After Bolton's Tuesday night elimination, the singer demanded an apology.
VIDEO: Watch Michael Bolton's disastrous performance
"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," the producers say.
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"While we respect the feelings of our celebrities and dancers, we don't feel Bruno should be expected to apologize for doing his job."
"I was disappointed with Bruno," the ousted Bolton, 57, said Wednesday morning. (The judge said he performed "the worst" jive in 11 years.) "I just didn't expect that level of disrespect from him."
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Tell Us: Do you agree with the producers? Was Bruno just "doing his job"?
Tell Us What You Think
56Michael Bolton really is a class act!!! ... (of course some people don't know class when they see it) I have great respect for him coming back as a replacment for Susan Boyle. He did it with professionalism, tack, class and style. Way to go MICHAEL! And I LOVE that song, Hallelujah!
Bruno should definitely apologize. He was rude, offensive, and downright mean. He didn't even give Michael a chance. Most dancers are given time to improve -- Bruno should be let go!!!!!
Bruno is a horse's ass, and the producers are clearly out of touch with their audience. It takes nothing to offer an apology. Real people do it every day when we are wrong or cruel. It the producer's think Bruno's comments are appropriate, that turn about from the pros and fans toward Bruno may also be fair game.
I don't think that the judges need to be cruel on their comments and that is what Bruno did. I am for the people who would like to see Bruno voted off as a judge.
DWTS is a program where stars show their dancing abilities. Just because they are STARS doesn't mean that they can dance. On the other hand, they don't deserve the disrespect of being talked down to by the judges. There is a way of telling the STARS that they are not up to par in a decent way. With these foreign English and Italian judges, they are above the niceties in their judgement and humaness. If they don't like your performance, they dis you so far down that you can't get any lower than low. This is not what the show is all about. Why can't these judges go back to their own country. Anyone who is a star and decides to try their talent on the show should be commended for their efforts. They are in front of millions of people and when they don't perform well, they feel ashamed of themselves. Bruno is definitely wrong. Shame on ABC for not letting him apologize. Shame, shame, shame
I think Bruno went over the top with Michael Bolton. They forget Kate Gosselin and just how terrible she was!! She deserved to be told she was the worse in 11 yrs. but she cried every week or talked about her magificent children to score points Shame on u Bruno
What goes around comes around. Bruno shouldn't be back next year. Let's get the "GET RID OR BRUNO PARTY" started! :-)
I felt that Bruno was way out of line. Who is he to criticize a wonderful singer as Micheal Bolton when he (Bruno) was no more than a second rate line dancer. Bolton was doing his best to be a dancer, I'd like to see Bruno try and be a singer?
I could not believe the disrepect that Bruno showed Michael Bolton. I am not a Michael Bolton fan, but I did think Bruno's comments were out of line. As for Jennifer Grey being a professional I beg to differ she is not a professional dancer. I was more offened by her and Mark's rating than Bruno's comments. Jennifer & Mark deserved a higher number. I to feel the judges are full of themselves. They are judging these stars as though they are professonals after one who two times dancing. Give them a break. I know they have to give their opions but they are getting out of line. I remember watching Cheryl and a football player with the last name of Smith dance and then Mario Lopez and Katrina. Whom I thought were much better. I voted for the later and when then person on the phone came on to tell me that my vote had been counted they mention Cheryl and her partner and not whom I have voted for. I truly think that all of these judges have their favorites and don't see the forest for the trees. Have you notice how Carrie Ann is gushing over Kyle? Enough said
I feel so much damage was done by Bruno, to M. Bolton's mother in the audience also..so sad...He definitely owes an apology and maybe should be kicked off of the show..The damage has been done. There is a WAY to criticize without DEGRADING SOMEONE!
Sometimes the truth hurts. Bruno could have been more diplomatic. A gesture of I'm sorry would improve the viewers impression of the judges.
If he doesn't apologize then many "stars" will not be on the show. I for one would not blame them for not wanting to be on there, they do all this work and treated this way? DWTS might want to rethink their position on this one!!! I think the views are even offended that the judges are being this rude. I quit watching when they were so rude to Billy Ray Cyrus!
Len started the negativity, and Bruno took it way over the top. Very insensitive, and disrespectful to Michael Bolton as an artist, with a fan base, and as a person in general. The judges on all of these (so called) reality competition shows are getting out of hand and becoming totally obnoxious. They think they are the stars of the show instead of the contestants. Time for them go! Bruno was an assh*le, and should stand up and admit it.
As has been previously stated, that all of these people are "super stars", I don't believe being a knocked-up 17 year old, that happens to be the irresponsible daugher of a "want to be" politician, constitutes "Super Star"!!! I totally support whatever the judges comments may be, as they are all professionals. Therefore, all I have to say to Mr./Ms. Bolton, is "Man-Up"!!!
Judy.......I totally agree with you about having people on the show that have dance experience! It's not Bruno or Len's comments that would make me stop watching....it's having people on with past dance experience!
Poor Michael Bolton is 57 yrs. old and acts like he's 5. PLEASE. Take the truth like a man.
I certainly do not agree with the producers of DWTS or Bruno. These stars come to this show as unprofessionals and therefore should be treated as such. They are super stars and should not be treated with disrespect. There would not be a show without them. I think the scoring was terrible as well. I have seen a lot worse who got better marks. I have not decided to continue watching the show as I am totally blown away that a professional dancer who danced in a major motion dancing picture would be allowed to be a contestant. That is dead wrong. In my small circle or friends, everyone agrees. People are going to start tuning out if you guys don't start tuning up. The judges can judge without being rude.
I think why go to the show if you don't want to take the rough critique? I think Bruno was right to tell him that he sucked!
I think Bruno stepped over the line with the comment "worst jive" and I think his sexual comments to the females are out of place. The last two seasons I have watched Bruno become more bizarre in behavior with the wild stances and hand gestures. The first part of Bruno's critique was not any more critical than some of the comments Len's has made. I think Bruno should apologize for stepping over the line.
I love M. Bolton's music and have been a fan for years (of the music) but knowing some of his past band members that had been with him for up to 18 years and longer, I think he owes some apologies! He systematically, one-by-one, crudely and without warning, dismissed each and every one of them without seemingly caring one single bit! Hypocrisy at it's highest!