ABC receives complaints about Chaz Bono's addition to 'DWTS'

tv.msn.com ^ | 8-31-11 | Tim Molloy

[Justaham]

"Dancing With the Stars" aims for provocative casts, and Chaz Bono's addition to the show has already yielded strong reaction -- some of it ugly.

Bono, the only child of Sonny Bono and Cher, was born a woman but legally changed his gender and name last year. The announcement Monday that he would join the highly rated ABC dance competition immediately made him one of the highest-profile transgendered people in the world.

It also brought to the surface prejudices about Bono and others who have changed their gender, judging from the "Dancing With the Stars" message board. In hundreds of comments, Bono was the most common subject.

But for everyone who vented disgust -- or questioned whether Bono would dance with a man or a woman -- there were many who defended Bono and accused his critics of bigotry.

Bono's casting is only the latest to make a lighthearted reality show the impetus for deeper discussions about values, tolerance, bigotry and politics. Gay "American Idol" contestants have opted not to announce their sexuality, perhaps out of concern about alienating intolerant viewers. And Bristol Palin's "Dancing" casting two seasons ago led many to vote for or against her based on her mother's politics.

[Kimmers]

I never watch this show but I am getting tired of the meda hyping her/he/it......

[mnehring]

Even my gay friends are shaking their heads in disgust. One said it is now dancing with cows.

[whd23]

If you still watch this trashy show, stop it. Ratings, and sponsors, rule.

I don't watch it as the show has never appealed to me. However, unless one has a Nielsen 'box' to report your viewing habits, what you watch won't effect the ratings of a particular show.

[ClearBlueSky]

Now, now. they could always do the Transvestite Tango!

[GoCards]

lol. I bet.

[sargon]

After an addition like that, I would have to say that my interest in the show has gone from "mild interest" to "no interest at all."

I didn't know they wanted to make it a circus. No thanks.

[whd23]

Wouldn’t she be more at home on “Biggest Loser?”

[Stalwart]

Or, Extreme Makeover.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I’m more offended by Nancy Grace.

[Tanniker Smith]

transgendered people

Someone needs to nail down the definition of that term once and for all. "Transgendered", for all I thought I knew, was different for "transsexual". (Hmm, spell-check says double-s. Didn't know that either...)

Transgendered, I've been informed, perhaps incorrectly, was supposed to apply to those who were "confused" or something about their identity. No, I haven't gotten a decent definition for the term that hasn't sounded like a mental disorder which needed treatment or therapy not understanding and acceptance.

[CdMGuy]

This show used to have well known celebrities. It has degenerated into having unknown competitors. It is not just Chaz Bono. Take a look at the rest of the unknowns. And then there is Nancy Grace - better described an a highly irritating unknown. Most of the competitors this year are people I do not know or know only vaguely. This could be this show’s last season.

[hummingbird]

Yes, that Chaz would be great, especially if he runs down the street yelling he is on fire.

DWTN->Dancing With The Naked

When he was first interviewed around the time he joined SNL, Will Farrell (sic?) said he did use drugs.

Claritin, I think it was. (Heh...)

[Hoffer Rand]

I’m proud to say that I have survived without ever seeing an episode of dancing with the stars or American Idol.

You and me both. Have never watched an episode of Survivor, either. It's amazing Hubby and I have anything to talk about. /s

[ken5050]

Upcoming headline of the week...after the show prmiers with HUGE ratings....

Chaz Bono MORE popular than Bristol Palin..

[Jvette]

Then they could bill themselves as fair and balanced.

[UB355]

Combine DWTS and the Biggest Loser = Dancing with the losers

[6ppc]

Not worth complaining about when simply not watching would be far more effective.

I've never watched a single episode of Dancing with the Freaks.

[WOBBLY BOB]

I had a weak moment once and watched Chuck Liddell. (But I’m a fan of his.)

[dragonblustar]

Chaz Bono's addition to the show has already yielded strong reaction -- some of it ugly.

Some of it ugly?!?

Chaz is all ugly!

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"I’m proud to say that I have survived without ever seeing an episode of dancing with the stars or American Idol."

I have to admit that I watched DWTS once when Paul McCartney's ex was on. I had a morbid fascination with seeing whether her peg leg would fly off while dancing. To my amazement, it didn't!! And she wasn't half bad at dancing.