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'Dancing With the Stars' pro Maks: 'I'll never be' the judges' favorite

There’s a new band, a new co-host and plenty of new rules on "Dancing With the Stars." But one thing that hasn't changed? Maksim Chmerkovskiy, the bad boy of the ballroom, still isn't shy about giving the judges a bit of lip if he disagrees with their assessments.“I’ll never be (the judges’) favorite,” Chmerkovskiy told TODAY. “And that’s OK. The viewers decide who gets to go and who
Image: Maks, Meryl on "DWTS"
Adam Taylor / ABC
Image: Maks, Meryl on \"DWTS\"
\"DWTS\" pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy performed a complicated swing dance with celeb partner Meryl Davis on Monday.Adam Taylor / Today

There’s a new band, a new co-host and plenty of new rules on "Dancing With the Stars." But one thing that hasn't changed? Maksim Chmerkovskiy, the bad boy of the ballroom, still isn't shy about giving the judges a bit of lip if he disagrees with their assessments.

“I’ll never be (the judges’) favorite,” Chmerkovskiy told TODAY. “And that’s OK. The viewers decide who gets to go and who doesn’t.”

He got tongues wagging again Monday, after he jested post-dance about the judges' comments, "I wasn't paying attention ... I'm not being disrespectful, I swear!" 

This came after Chmerkovskiy's highly complicated swing routine with his partner, Olympic gold medalist Meryl Davis, in which judges Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba pointed out flaws and each deducted a point for them. Head judge Len Goodman was impressed and gave the performance a 9, prompting the pro to later comment, "The important one gave us a 9."

“I hope (the judges) know I’m joking,” Chmerkovskiy told TODAY of his comments. “I hope the viewers know, too. Nothing that exits my mouth — unless I’m in rehearsal — is serious. This banter (I have with the judges) will never go away.”

The pro's willingness to fire back is one of the traits that has made him such a popular part of the dance competition. He's passionate about dance and has never been shy about calling out what he — and often, fans — perceives to be unfair criticisms of his celebrity partners. 

The dancer — who has yet to win a mirror ball trophy — is at peace with the fact that he and the trio of judges often differ on his routines. “We’re in it too far to change each other’s minds. And neither of us is trying to," he said. "We embrace it. They comment the way that they do, and we treat it as a show."

Chmerkovskiy said he can handle what the judges say — but there are some areas that are no-nos. “As long as my partner isn’t (adversely) affected, I’m fine,” he pointed out. “As long as the viewers get to see what they want to see, that’s all that’s important to me."

"Dancing With the Stars" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.