'DWTS' Week 8: The Pros Feud with 'Dance Moms' Guest Judge

"Extra" special correspondent Tony Dovolani was backstage with the "Dancing with the Stars" cast, their pro partners and guest judge Abby Lee Miller from "Dance Moms." "Dancing" pros Maks Chmerkovskiy, Derek Hough, and Mark Ballas offered their unfiltered opinions of Abby to Tony, and the "Dance Moms" guest judge responded to their criticisms. Tony also chatted with Danica McKellar and Val Chmerkovskiy about theirelimination.

[starrbeatlesqueen]

I love how Tony said he cheered when Maks made his statement, and then kept a straight, calm attitude when speaking to Abby. Derek and Mark both tweeted about Abby's teaching methods a couple of years ago. Abby is also currently being sued along with the producers by one of the Dance Moms for mistreatment of her 2 kids.

[ao]

How ironic, Abby. "Respect the judges' opinion." By the persona that she presents on Dance Moms, she doesn't ever respect anyone else's opinion

[lcc]

Maks to Tony: I have a ques for u, if u had 2 daughters would u give them to Abby to teach
Tony:never
Maks: enuff said

LOL Maks tells it like it is

[clancyfrancis]

what the hell was "ABC" thinking when they invited that dragon to be a part of DWTS for a week, yes she's involed in the world of dance & owns a dance studio but she's not a ballroom or latin dance teacher she teaches lyrical dance, tap, jazz, contemporary & acro but not ballroom & latin. I argee with Maks all the way.

[rivermania]

it's funny how Abby says "respect the judges decision/opinion...don't discuss it, and walk away" when she was the first person to complain to the judges when Chloe beat Kamryn. She also demanded a recount in the scoring when Chloe beat Maddie. So who is she to judge on what Maks said when she does the same thing.
Hypocrite much? 

[ao]

Why does Abby answer SO defensively? Tony isn't attacking her when asking the questions. Everyone else can answer in a normal tone

[soulaesthete]

The producers of DWTS, already knew how most of these pros felt about Abby Lee Miller's teaching methods, in fact, Derek and Mark were tweeting openly about their outrage over it when her show started to become popular. DWTS showed no respect for all of these pros who made their enterprise what it is today.

[eymader]

Thank goodness they are sticking up to Abby, someone needs to call her out for treating children so poorly.

[mwamwa]

Abby tried to be nice to all the dancers but they didn't fall for it, she told Maks and James they were hot, she called Peta PERFECTION, she said Candace has potential as a ALDC dancer (which made her partner Mark giggle a little haha) and she even called Derek a LEGEND but he ignored her comment and acted like he didn't hear her. When she told Charlie to do something with his bouncing hair Bruno was like, "OOHHH shut up" and then she told Meryl who was doing Rumba her feat were not pointed enough and the other judges were like GIRL this is ballroom not ballet then the host after she judged Meryl asked " So Abby what did you think about the Rumba part of the dance" hahaha.

[seekersinclair]

It is okay to have guest judges but, they need to be in the same class as the professionals that grace this show.  Kenny Ortega for example, has the right to critique,  he has earned that right and is greatly respected in the business. Abby Miller has not earned the right to critique professional dancers of this caliber, or any caliber for that matter, nor does she possess the class and style standard that this show projects. I think it was an insult to the professionals in this show to have this woman critique their performances.  Has she ever danced?  It certainly does not look like it. 

[celiawiththestars]

OMG Abby was getting so much hate from everyone lol I love it😂

[partootie]

I really like Charlie. I find him to be the most articulate and professional dancer (from both stars and pros) on the show, in terms of the way he conducts himself in practices and interviews.

[chellyboo]

Aw Maks such a stand up guy this season. I'm loving him and Meryl's loving embrace :) cute!

[brienethefox]

Former dancer here! You can be a “strict” teacher without being cruel or mean. Some of my best teachers were straightforward and strict but they were also encouraging and supportive.

[grainnedrumgoole]

I like how none of the pros who have contributed to now 19 season show about ballroom dancing all seem to agree about their dislike towards her teaching methods even though they have come from different dance schools and had different instructors.

[nightswimmer]

I wish Tony had asked the educator and mathematician Danica what she thought of Ms. Miller's statement about homework being a poor excuse for not practicing dance more. As for James - in time he'll get better at answering sticky questions.

[ALEJANDROVILLALOBOS]

Funny how Maksim was the only one saying something to Abby's face, the other ones were all like "yas, thank you"

[gonegonegirl]

everything maks had said in this interview aged WELL.

[Thomassteven]

Abby has hurt so many kids Espically Brooke, Paige, And Chloe :(

[danielaortega]

I love how Abby is like respect the judges opinion if she is the same person they try to take away her own students win a.k.a. Chloe‘s win when she won against another teammate