Dancing With The Stars Suspends Val Chmerkovskiy
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Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) has suspended professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy for one week.
The show took this action after Val made a joke about slapping judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Producers called the joke 'inappropriate' and said it crossed a line.
Because of the suspension, Val will not take part in the next episode of the show.
His dance partner, actress Jenna Dewan, will dance with another professional, Alan, instead.
In a statement, the show said the well-being of its staff is 'non-negotiable.'
This means the show will always protect its workers, no matter what.
The statement shows that DWTS takes comments about its staff very seriously.
Fans of the show have been talking about the news on social media.
It is not yet clear if Val will return to the show after his suspension.
The show has not given more details about what will happen next week.
Carrie Ann Inaba has been a judge on Dancing With the Stars for many years.
Vocabulary10 words
- suspended
- stopped from working for a short time
- inappropriate
- not suitable; not acceptable
- partner
- a person you work closely with, like in dancing
- well-being
- a state of being safe, healthy, and happy
- non-negotiable
- something that cannot be changed or discussed
- statement
- an official message given to the public
- crossed a line
- did something that is too far, not acceptable
- professional
- a person who does something as their job
- judge
- a person who scores performances in a competition
- episode
- one part of a TV show in a series
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Quiz
Answer key
1. He made a joke about slapping a judge 2. One episode's worth, specified as one week 3. Alan
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) has _____ professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy for one week.
The show took this action after Val made a joke about _____ judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Producers called the joke _____ and said it crossed a line.
Because of the suspension, Val will not take part in the next _____ of the show.
His dance _____, actress Jenna Dewan, will dance with another professional, Alan, instead.
In a statement, the show said the _____ of its staff is 'non-negotiable.'
This means the show will always _____ its workers, no matter what.
The statement shows that DWTS takes comments about its staff very _____.
Fans of the show have been talking about the news on social _____.
It is not yet clear if Val will _____ to the show after his suspension.
Discussion questions
- Do you think a one-week suspension is a fair punishment for an inappropriate joke? Why or why not?
- How important is staff well-being for a TV show, in your opinion?
- Would you want to watch a dance between Jenna Dewan and a different partner? Why or why not?
- Have you ever watched Dancing With the Stars? What do you think of the show?
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