Maksim Chmerkovskiy is hinting at a future without "Dancing With the Stars." In a new post for TV Guide, Chmerkovskiy, who was eliminated along with partner Kirstie Alley in last week's "Dancing With the Stars All-Stars" results show, said he's weighing his options.
"I have not made a decision about next season yet," Chmerkovskiy said. "To be honest, I have many offers and I might need a break."
This latest statement comes after Chmerkovskiy said he was leaving the show, then back-pedaled, claiming that his statements were taken out of context and he may pursue acting after his contract expires.
“What else do I have to do there after 15 seasons? It makes total sense,” Chmerkovskiy told the "New York Post" in September. “The audience can’t expect for me to want to stick around, and the producers can’t expect me to want to stick around.”
Host Tom Bergeron countered, telling ABC News that Chmerkovskiy will stick around. “He said that it was taken out of context,” Bergeron said. “At the end of his contract, which runs through two more seasons, he’s thinking of pursuing acting ... He’s going to be with us beyond this season.”
In his new TV Guide post, Chmerkovskiy decried some of the changes producers have made to the show. "Honestly, I'm not sure why producers feel they need to throw in these new and non-ballroom dance styles," he wrote. "I really do believe that fans want to see good ballroom dancing and it's hard to do so when the pros don't even know the dance styles. If it's not broken, why fix it?"
In addition to the producers' changes, Chmerkovskiy reflected on how the show has changed as a whole. "This season was in the middle of the election, which I think is fitting," he said. "This show has become so much more about politics. It's about how much media coverage each couple has and now we have paparazzi camping out of the studio, which is ridiculous. Some people put on a face for them. I think people know by now that I'm not going to be fake."
Over the years "Dancing With the Stars" has tried to top itself with contestants who will push boundaries and get the most attention. The series casts tabloid-fixtures such as Bristol Palin and Kate Gosselin in an attempt to create controversy. To battle declining ratings, "DWTS" brought back contestants for an "All-Stars" season, but the numbers have continued to sag, fluctuating between 11 and 14 million viewers.
The finale of "Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars" will air Mon., Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Tues., Nov. 27 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
