Dancing With The Stars' Executive Producer: Skeptics, Critics Should Give Chaz Bono A Chance

Posted on Sep 02, 2011 @ 08:00AM

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WENN

After a firestorm of criticism from special interest groups condemning Dancing With the Stars for including its first transgendered contestant, Chaz Bono, the show's executive producer, Conrad Green, said the pundits should let Bono work his magic on the dance floor before jumping to conclusions.

His comments on Thursday came the same day more groups condemned the show for including Bono, who's paired up with a female dancer Lacey Schwimmer in the competition. Putting Bono on, The Culture and Media Institute's Dan Gainor said, is "a ridiculous, agenda-driven move" and "the latest example of the networks trying to push a sexual agenda on American families.”

Online group OneMillionMoms.com called the inclusion of Bono and openly-gay reality star Carson Kressley "completely unacceptable.

PHOTOS: Chaz Bono Shows His New Beard

"Christians should not watch the show, no excuses!" the group said.

Green's take?

"I hope that a lot of the people who appear to be upset at the moment will give him a chance and maybe realize it's not quite as bad as they think," he said.

PHOTOS: Chaz At Home In West Hollywood

"I think we've had three gay or transgender contestants out of about 120 on the show, so what we're really doing is reflecting some of the makeup of this vast array of people that make up American society.

"We're not going to be dwelling on Chaz's sexuality any more than we dwell on anyone's sexuality on the show," he said, adding the show was "not going to be going into things that are going to make it difficult for you to watch with your children at all."

Green said the 42-year-old daughter-turned-son of Cher and the late Sonny Bono landed a coveted spot on the top-rated ABC show because he's "a great guy and he's got a really interesting story: he comes from Hollywood royalty...and is familiar to loads of our audience throughout his life."

PHOTOS: Chaz & Girlfriend Jennifer Elia Outside Late Show Studios

Green said casting Bono -- born Chastity -- hasn't caused a single sponsor to drop their ads on the show.

Bono said on his Twitter page Thursday that he is "overwhelmed by the outpouring of support I received from everyone."

"I don't listen to the haters," Bono wrote, "but embrace the love."

PHOTOS: Chaz Bono Caught With His Pants Down!

Other pairings to watch this season are: David Arquette and Kym Johnson; Ron Artest and Peta Murgatroyd; Elisabetta Canalis and Val Chmerkovskiy; Kristin Cavallari and Mark Ballas; Nancy Grace and Tristan McManus; Robert Kardashian and Cheryl Burke; Ricki Lake and Derek Hough; J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff; Chynna Phillips and Tony Dovolani; Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy; and Carson Kressley and Anna Trebunskaya.

Dancing With The Stars begins their 13th season on ABC Monday, September 19.

Cher Slams 'Bigots' Who Are Attacking Her Son Chaz Bono

Chaz Bono On DWTS: ‘Gives Me An Opportunity To Reach More People With My Message’

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Good for Chaz. Live your life proud. You more of a celeb then most of those who have been on...need I say Bristol Palin?

by Dick Balsac
Posted Fri, 09/02/2011 - 7:00pm

She looks terrible. Nothing like trying to fix one problem and encountering other ones.....she is obese!

by Anjali
Posted Fri, 09/02/2011 - 5:08pm

The really great thing about America is that you can choose whether you watch or not. Personally, a person's sexual orientation doesn't matter to me ... I'll judge based on dancing and nothing else.

by jessieisanidiot
Posted Fri, 09/02/2011 - 4:43pm

I agree with you! The show is not about sexual orientation it's about dancing! I don't know why people are saying it will confuse their children. Is it not the parents job to raise their children? Let him dance and judge him on that!

by Muppet
Posted Sat, 09/03/2011 - 9:54am

Putting all the "he was a she" stuff aside and that Cher is the mother...just what has Chaz Bono done to be worthy of the DWTS "Star" title? Just someone who grew-up spoiled and entitled, with famous parents.

by Eva
Posted Fri, 09/02/2011 - 4:26pm

Good point....

by earlybird
Posted Fri, 09/02/2011 - 5:17pm

Shame on Nancy Grace telling the story of christ forgiving the prostitute which he did and said go and sin no more but look how she hounded that man who died in prison who she was so sure kidnapped Elizabeth Smart she tortured that man.

by earlybird
Posted Fri, 09/02/2011 - 3:40pm

This can't be any worse than watching Kate Gosselin!!!

by Bea
Posted Fri, 09/02/2011 - 3:27pm

As well as taking male hormones she would be having to take pills for menopause which is what happens to women who have complete hysterectomies,,can you imagine her emotional state?

by earlybird
Posted Fri, 09/02/2011 - 3:04pm

Chaz will be voted off to be with "the rock" Chaz is his dream gal. These hicks need to go away together and join the circus as carnies. Look alikes.LOL

by Barbie Doll
Posted Fri, 09/02/2011 - 2:49pm