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Jimmy Kimmel defended Guillermo Rodriguez during his Oct. 7 monologue after some Dancing With the Stars viewers criticized his continued place in the competition and alleged it was rigged. Kimmel argued that the show is entertainment rather than a professional dance contest, while Rodriguez joked about his latest performance.
Jimmy Kimmel defended Guillermo Rodriguez on his Oct. 7 monologue after some Dancing With the Stars viewers criticized the late-night host’s longtime sidekick for remaining in the competition and alleged that the show was rigged. Kimmel said the program is an entertainment show, not a professional dance contest, and argued that Rodriguez’s appeal is part of what makes his run compelling.
Kimmel addressed the criticism directly on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, saying that not everyone was happy about Rodriguez’s performances and that some viewers had accused the competition of being rigged. He rejected that allegation, joking that “the competition isn’t rigged” but that “life is rigged in Guillermo’s favor.” He also said Rodriguez was winning despite online detractors and joked that some voters might not know how to spell his name.
The monologue included clips and social media posts criticizing Rodriguez. Kimmel responded that some viewers were losing sight of the nature of the show, saying it was “not the Olympics” or “SEAL Team 6.” He also joked that the winner receives a homemade-looking prize, then drew a distinction between Dancing With the Stars and a professional dance competition: “The winner should be whatever team is most entertaining.”
Kimmel praised the work Rodriguez has put into rehearsals and performances, while making jokes about his dancing and physique. He showed footage of Rodriguez’s latest samba and teased that he had spent more time rolling on the floor than dancing. Rodriguez played along, telling Kimmel, “Jimmy, it was so comfortable, I didn’t want to get up.”
The monologue • October 7
What Jimmy Kimmel Said To Guillermo’s ‘DWTS’ Critics
After viewers questioned Guillermo Rodriguez’s place on Dancing With the Stars, Kimmel made the case that the show is built for entertainment—and joked about the samba that sparked the debate.
Entertainment is part of the scorecard
Kimmel framed the dispute as a question of what viewers want from a reality competition: polished technique, audience connection, or both.
Not the Olympics
He said Dancing With the Stars is entertainment, not an elite dance contest or “SEAL Team 6.”
Stars, not professionals
His point: the show pairs celebrities with dancers, so technical skill is only one part of the appeal.
Entertain the audience
“The winner should be whatever team is most entertaining,” Kimmel argued.
Criticism met with jokes—and a reply
Kimmel played online criticism and performance clips during the monologue. Rodriguez answered in the same playful spirit.
A floor-level performance
Kimmel teased that Rodriguez spent more time rolling on the floor than dancing. Rodriguez replied: “Jimmy, it was so comfortable, I didn’t want to get up.”
“This is also not a professional dance competition. That’s why it’s called Dancing With the Stars, not Dancing With the Professionals.”
Jimmy Kimmel“The winner should be whatever team is most entertaining.”
Jimmy KimmelFrom online reaction to late-night defense
The monologue spotlighted the criticism without resolving questions about the show’s voting or judging.
Viewers react
Some online comments objected to Rodriguez remaining in the competition.
Kimmel responds
He rejected the rigging allegation and defended the show’s entertainment value.
Samba becomes the bit
Clips of Rodriguez’s latest performance gave Kimmel material for teasing.
Guillermo plays along
Rodriguez joked about how comfortable he felt on the floor.
A defense is not evidence about the vote
Kimmel’s comments express his view of the competition. They do not verify how results are produced or how widely criticism is shared.
Rejected the allegation
Kimmel said the competition was not rigged. The monologue did not provide information about voting, judging, eliminations, or Rodriguez’s current standing.
- The scale of online criticism is not established.
- No voting or judging procedures were detailed.
- The comments do not determine who will win.
- The show’s rules and results were not changed by the monologue.
The competition continues weekly
Rodriguez’s future depends on the show’s continuing results. Kimmel may keep commenting on his sidekick’s performances.
ABC and Disney+, according to the published schedule.
Kimmel’s late-night show, where the Oct. 7 defense aired.
Key questions
The main points from Kimmel’s defense and the limits of what the monologue established.
What did Kimmel say?
He defended Rodriguez, rejected claims the competition was rigged, and said entertainment matters alongside dance technique.
Why were viewers criticizing Guillermo?
Some reportedly objected to his continued place in the competition. The details do not establish how many viewers agree.
Did Kimmel show proof about voting?
No. He rejected the allegation, but the monologue gave no details about voting or judging procedures.
How did Guillermo respond?
He joked: “Jimmy, it was so comfortable, I didn’t want to get up.”
Entertainment Versus Dance Technique
Kimmel’s defense frames the dispute as a disagreement over what audiences should value in a reality competition: technical dance ability or entertainment and audience connection. His comments do not establish whether Rodriguez’s results reflect a particular voting pattern or how viewers in general feel; they make clear that Kimmel sees the show’s entertainment value as a fair reason to support his sidekick.
The exchange also brings attention to the online reaction surrounding Rodriguez’s participation. Kimmel condemned viewers who attack him personally, while using humor to answer criticism of his dancing. That response may shape how fans discuss the contestant, but it does not change the competition’s rules or determine who will win.
Dancing With the Stars dance shoes
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Guillermo’s Run on Season 35
Rodriguez is competing on Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars while also working as Kimmel’s sidekick. The show pairs celebrities with professional dancers, and performances are presented as entertainment for a television audience. Kimmel’s remarks focused on that distinction rather than offering evidence about the contest’s voting or judging process.
The occasion for the comments was Rodriguez’s most recent dance, a samba. Kimmel played clips from the performance during his Oct. 7 monologue, teasing the amount of time Rodriguez spent on the floor. Rodriguez answered in the same joking tone. The program airs Tuesdays on ABC and Disney+, while Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs on weeknights on ABC, according to the published schedule.
“The competition isn’t rigged. Life is rigged in Guillermo’s favor.”
— Jimmy Kimmel
Voting Claims Remain Unverified
Kimmel rejected the allegation that the competition is rigged, but the monologue did not present evidence about the show’s voting, judging or elimination procedures. The available details also do not establish how widespread the online criticism is, how many viewers share it, or whether the comments have had any effect on the competition.
Rodriguez’s current standing and the eventual winner are not specified in the details of the monologue. The comments are Kimmel’s defense of his sidekick, not an official statement from the show about its results or rules.
The Competition Continues Weekly
Dancing With the Stars continues with weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC and Disney+, according to the published schedule. Rodriguez’s future in the competition will depend on the show’s continuing results; no outcome is established by Kimmel’s remarks.
Kimmel may continue commenting on his sidekick’s performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which airs weeknights on ABC. For now, the Oct. 7 monologue stands as a public defense of Rodriguez against online criticism, alongside jokes about the samba that prompted the discussion.
Source: Yahoo Entertainment
Key Questions
What did Jimmy Kimmel say about criticism of Guillermo Rodriguez?
Kimmel defended Rodriguez during his Oct. 7 monologue, rejected claims that the competition was rigged and said the show is about entertainment rather than professional dance alone.
Why are some viewers criticizing Guillermo?
Some viewers reportedly objected to Rodriguez remaining in the competition and posted criticism online. The details do not establish how many viewers share those views.
Did Kimmel provide evidence that Dancing With the Stars is not rigged?
No. Kimmel rejected the rigging allegation in his monologue, but the comments did not include information about voting or judging procedures.
How did Guillermo respond to Kimmel’s jokes about his samba?
Rodriguez took the teasing in stride and joked, “Jimmy, it was so comfortable, I didn’t want to get up.”
When does Dancing With the Stars air?
The published schedule lists the show on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC and Disney+.
Source: Yahoo Entertainment
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