"Dancing With the Stars" 2011: Is This the Best Maksim Has Ever Behaved on "DWTS"?

"The Bad Boy of the Ballroom," Maksim Chmerkovskiy, can't be mellowing ... can he? The "Dancing With the Stars" professional dancer has always behaved with discipline and authoritarianism-some times too much. Maksim harassed some of the stars to the point of tears, and animosity showed through while dancing their routines.

Now, however, the "DWTS" pro has become a decent fellow. At least when it comes to his partner, Kirstie Alley.

Long before Maks fell on the dance floor and took Kirstie down with him, he still expected the best and pushed Kirstie to the limit. Oddly enough, Maksim also treated her with kindness and attention. No doubt there were viewers who wondered what life changing event had taken place for Maksim.

Following his fall on the "DWTS" dance floor, he mellowed even more. Maksim apologized to Kirstie, and then during the judging, apologized several times to the "DWTS" judges. People sat back in their chairs and wondered if they were watching "Dancing with the Stars," or had accidentally tuned in to "The Love Boat."

At that point, the question everyone wondered was if Maksim had fallen in love with Kirstie. In Week 5, John Travolta did a guest appearance on "DWTS" and conducted a humorous interview with the "DWTS" pair. He asked the question already running wild through a number of viewers' minds. Maksim's response put the rumor to rest, when he stated he loved Kirstie, but only as a friend.

So, what's the situation? Why the change in Maksim's behavior? Is it just a case that after 12 years on the show, Maksim has tired of the "DWTS" routine and become bored? That's always a possibility, but in this instance it seems more likely that Maksim is-possibly for one of the few times in his life-involved in a friendship. He and Kirstie can relate to each other on a level that the viewers have never seen from Maks. In fact, he's displayed a range of tenderness, courtesy, and attention to his partner's feelings that he hasn't before ... and that some thought Maksim incapable of. The transformation has enhanced "Dancing With the Stars," and most viewers are sure to agree that it's a good thing that the "DWTS" bad boy is no longer quite so bad.

Other articles by this author:
"Dancing with the Stars": Does the Show Need New Professional Dancers?
Top Ten List of the Most Attractive TV Cowboys from the Westerns

Sources:
ABC.com - Official Site of the ABC Network
Personal experience