TL;DR
Get everyday essentials delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Jimmy Kimmel defended his sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez after viewers criticized his progress on Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars and alleged the competition was rigged. Kimmel said the show is entertainment, not a professional dance contest, and praised Rodriguez’s work and the joy his performances bring viewers.
Jimmy Kimmel defended Guillermo Rodriguez against online criticism of his run on Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars, responding during his October 7 monologue by rejecting allegations that the competition was rigged and arguing that viewers should judge the show as entertainment rather than a professional dance contest.
Kimmel said some viewers were unhappy with Rodriguez’s progress and had questioned whether the competition was being manipulated. “The competition isn’t rigged,” Kimmel said, before joking that “life is rigged in Guillermo’s favor.” He also told Rodriguez that online critics were trying to bring him down, while describing him as a fan favorite.
During the monologue, Kimmel played videos and read social media posts criticizing Rodriguez. He argued that DWTS is not the Olympics or a professional dance competition, and said the show’s winner should be the team that entertains viewers most. His comments framed the debate as a disagreement over what the program is meant to reward, not as evidence that voting or judging had been manipulated.
Kimmel also praised the effort Rodriguez has put into preparing and performing each week, saying dancing does not come naturally to him. After showing clips of Rodriguez’s recent samba, Kimmel teased him for spending much of the routine on the floor. Rodriguez took the joke in stride and told Kimmel, “Jimmy, it was so comfortable, I didn’t want to get up.”
The Debate Over DWTS Voting
The exchange highlights a familiar tension in competition television: some viewers prioritize technical skill, while others value personality, effort and entertainment. Kimmel’s defense makes clear that he believes Rodriguez’s appeal is part of what the show offers, even as some viewers argue he should not advance over stronger dancers.
That distinction matters because Dancing With the Stars combines performance and audience participation. Kimmel’s remarks were a defense of his colleague and an argument about the program’s purpose; they do not establish how viewers voted or explain the show’s scoring and elimination results. The segment also put a public face on online criticism, while Kimmel urged viewers not to turn disagreement into personal attacks against Rodriguez.
Dancing With the Stars fan merchandise
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Rodriguez’s Season 35 Run
Rodriguez is Kimmel’s longtime sidekick and is competing on the current season of Dancing With the Stars. The Yahoo Entertainment report describes him as a fan favorite and says criticism has accompanied the support he has received. The specific audience posts and clips Kimmel featured were part of his monologue, which used humor to answer detractors rather than presenting a formal response from the show.
The program is presented as an entertainment competition, and Kimmel contrasted it with elite athletic contests and professional dance events. He joked that the winner receives a trophy made from inexpensive materials, reinforcing his point that the show is not a high-stakes professional championship. He also showed footage from Rodriguez’s latest samba performance, which provided the immediate subject for some of the jokes in the segment.
“The competition isn’t rigged. Life is rigged in Guillermo’s favor.”
— Jimmy Kimmel
dance competition costume accessories
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
What the Criticism Does Not Establish
Kimmel’s monologue does not provide evidence that the competition is rigged, and the reported allegations remain attributed to viewers rather than established facts. The available details do not specify how many people made the accusations, how representative the posts were, or whether they affected voting.
It is also unclear how Rodriguez will fare in later rounds or whether the criticism will change audience support. Kimmel’s defense reflects his own view of the show and his support for his sidekick; it is not a statement from DWTS producers about judging rules, voting totals or the outcome of the season.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Rodriguez’s Next Dance and Results
Season 35 is still underway, so Rodriguez’s performance and place in the competition will depend on upcoming dances and the show’s results. The reported schedule lists DWTS on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time on ABC and Disney+.
Kimmel’s comments aired on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which is listed as airing weeknights at 11:35 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time on ABC. No further response from the DWTS production or additional details about the rigging allegations were included in the report. The next developments to watch are Rodriguez’s subsequent performances and whether he remains in the competition.
Source: Yahoo Entertainment
entertainment show voting system guide
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Key Questions
What did Jimmy Kimmel say about criticism of Guillermo Rodriguez?
Kimmel rejected claims that the competition was rigged and defended Rodriguez against online attacks, saying the show is an entertainment program rather than a professional dance contest.
Why are some viewers criticizing Rodriguez?
The report says some viewers think Rodriguez should have been eliminated by now. It does not provide a full account of the criticism or establish how widely that view is held.
Did Kimmel provide evidence that DWTS is rigged?
No. Kimmel said the competition was not rigged. The report identifies rigging as an accusation made by some viewers, not a confirmed finding.
How did Guillermo Rodriguez respond to Kimmel’s jokes?
Rodriguez took the jokes in stride. After Kimmel teased him about spending much of his samba on the floor, Rodriguez replied that it was so comfortable he did not want to get up.
When does Dancing With the Stars air?
The schedule listed in the report has Dancing With the Stars airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time on ABC and Disney+.
Source: Yahoo Entertainment
Halloween Picks
halloween
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
