DWTS' Cloris Leachman: "If I've Made People Mad, I'm Sorry"

Us Magazine - October 27, 2008 10:00 AM PDT
Story photo: DWTS' Cloris Leachman: Us Magazine
Cloris Leachman has gotten more attention for her wacky on-stage antics than her dance moves on this season's Dancing With the Stars.

But she insists her feistiness -- hoisting her leg up on the judges' desk; cursing out fellow contestants; referring to herself as a "skanky ho" -- is all in good nature.

"Something comes over me I don't know what it is," the 82-year-old tells USA Today. "If I've made people mad, I'm sorry. All my life, I've been a cut-up. I'm just having fun."

Check out the craziest DWTS outfits of all time!

This season, she has consistently ranked in the bottom but has won enough viewer votes to survive six eliminations.

"The fact that I'm still on is a [expletive] miracle," she admits. "I suppose [viewers] see fun and hope and happiness."

See then-and-now photos of the Dancing With the Stars cast!

DWTS executive producer Conrad Green denies a recent Chicago Sun-Times story that host Samantha Harris and contestant Susan Lucci are fed up with Leachman's behavior

Says Green: "She's 82, but she's mischievous and has this uncanny ability to make people laugh. We never know what to expect with her. But that's what live TV is about."

Teaching Leachman ballroom moves was tough at first, says her partner Corky Ballas.

"There are days we haven't danced because of her blood pressure. She's had some knee, rib and foot problems," Ballas says. "But she never complains even when I tried to get her to do a cartwheel."


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comments 1-10 of 44  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Daisy
    I think she's funny.
    report abuseposted October 28, 2008 3:47 PM PDT
  • jojan
    she may be funny and cute. but--- she is there to dance. and some of the good ones have been kicked off. why do they keep her ? just for laughs???
    report abuseposted October 28, 2008 2:46 PM PDT
  • Moonpie
    The one I feel sorry for is Corky Ballas. I don't know how much they are paying him, but I am sure he deserves way more for putting up with Cloris. The man is a professional dancer, but she has shown little regard for his talents. It's all about HER! She is a camera hog and can't get enough of it. Time to get her OFF!!
    report abuseposted October 28, 2008 10:31 AM PDT
  • LA
    Took 'the act' a little too far. Then it gets old. Oh well.
    report abuseposted October 28, 2008 7:23 AM PDT
  • Dater girl
    She is my favorite. Just saw her on milllionaire personals site """" B i l l i o n a i r e P a l . c o m """""" last week. I am wondering what kind of relationship she is looking for on that site.Is she single again now? ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
    report abuseposted October 27, 2008 7:09 PM PDT
  • Barb
    I think Cloris is doing wonderful, and the laughs she has brought all of us is like sunshine. I think the informality that she has brought to the show is worth a million, and if Samantha and Susan could take lessons from her, it would be wonderful.
    report abuseposted October 27, 2008 3:45 PM PDT
  • bootsRstompin
    The name of the program has the word "stars". The contestantsare there to showcase their talents to help them get work. You have to expect that you are going to see some action other than dancing. If we want to see just dancing we should watch the professional dancing competitions that are often held. I love Cloris and have been entertained by her antics and humor. Hope she gets
    report abuseposted October 27, 2008 3:33 PM PDT
  • Abe Vigoda
    Cloris leachman gave me the clap!
    report abuseposted October 27, 2008 3:25 PM PDT
  • Abe Vigoda
    Nobody has " potential " as far as dance goes. This is Dance Karaoke for famous people, and B or C listers at best. Now what I really want to see is some A list clebrity danceing, like Spielberg or Cruise or Denzel or rush Limbaugh. Now that's entertainment. Failing that, how 'bout Dancing with the Quadreplegics ?
    report abuseposted October 27, 2008 3:21 PM PDT
  • JACK STERLING
    82...wow.. that is 20 years from now for me and I just love to be able to see her dancing as I have no TV where I live.. No one speaks English here and all the programs are geared to the people of this land.. Dancing with the stars wouldn't be a favorite program for sure here.. but just to read all your comments and to think of that 82 year woman having so much fun at her age is great...
    report abuseposted October 27, 2008 3:19 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 44  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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