As “Dancing With the Stars” fans have no doubt noticed, head judge Len Goodman isn’t exactly acting the part of ballroom’s staid and venerable statesman this season.
Rather than simply critiquing classic moves, nitpicking flaws and grumping about modern elements, Goodman often switches his focus to the female forms on the dance floor — in particular their “chesticles,” “dumplings,” and even their “Rocky Mountains.”
Yes, suddenly the 67-year-old has a new obsession, and he isn’t shy about it.
"Well, I had a bit of a boob fetish the first few weeks,” Goodman recently told AOL TV. “But I had a butt fetish (last week) with Kendra (Wilkinson) there shakin' and bakin'.”
By Monday night, the panelist returned to his original interest, telling the group cha cha cha team featuring Wilkinson, Kirstie Alley, and pro Kym Johnson that “I know which team of girls won the booby prize.”
While the frequent boob talk might have some wondering if Goodman’s gone too far, or at very least ventured into Bruno Tonioli territory, executive producer Conrad Green seems certain that he has not. In fact, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Green insisted the comments were really just more of the same.
“I can’t speak for Len’s randiness,” Green said. “To be honest, you talk about what’s in front of you and sometimes, quite a lot is in front of you. I don’t think there have been any more comments than usual. There is always a little bit of humor on this show. Maybe it’s a British thing, but I don’t think there is any offense taken on the whole.”
Of course, offensive or not, there’s another concern about Goodman’s go-to humor — all of that T&A talk (heavy on the “T”) could affect the show’s ratings-boosting family-friendly vibe. Well, it could if the kids understood what was being said.
“It’s very fun stuff. The tone isn’t particularly adult,” Green assured. “Those kind of comments are meant in jest, and to be honest, most kids don’t even know what you’re talking about. It’s always a double entendre rather than some kind of direct, lewd comment. My 7-year-old daughter was here was here last night and those comments go completely over her head. There’s nothing on the show that I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable having my daughter watch.”
Do you think Goodman’s gone too far with his comments? Place your vote.
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