One thing about Dancing with the Stars. It thrives on controversy. Twitter blowups and viral moments seem to propel the show along throughout season. Besides Crotch Grab Gate, there is also William Shatner vs Nick Viall and Kristi Yamaguchi’s unfortunate good luck message.
First. Star Trek star William Shatner has a thing against Bachelor and DWTS contestant Nick Viall. While the actor live tweeted the show Monday night, he urged his fans NOT to vote for Nick and his pro partner Peta Murgatroyd. He has nothing against Peta, as you’ll see in a bit. He just has a total hate-on for the 4 time Bachelor franchise star.
My goal for #DWTS is to knock Bachelor Nick out ASAP. Who is with me? ???
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 20, 2017
How do we get #BachelorNation to not vote for Nick? ?
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 20, 2017
— Nick Viall (@viallnicholas28) March 21, 2017
Are you all still not voting for Nick? #dwts #BachelorNation ?
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 21, 2017
Shatner was also bantering with his fans, urging them not to vote with Nick. “He lives up to the homonym of his last name,” he tweeted one.
His birthday was Tuesday. A present for Shatner? Don’t vote for Nick.
BTW as an early birthday present ? #dontvoteNick https://t.co/oNuVZPA3BZ Yes, I’m awful-ly determined!??
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 21, 2017
Peta responded with crying emojis. Shatner assured her it wasn’t personal.
??? @williamshatner
— Peta Murgatroyd (@PetaMurgatroyd) March 21, 2017
@WilliamShatner haha it’s ok! Thanks for the love! Shai is amazing ?
— Peta Murgatroyd (@PetaMurgatroyd) March 22, 2017
And here’s the tweet that has me thinking it’s a publicity stunt. Host Tom Bergeron and Shatner are friends, so…
Happy Birthday to my pal @WilliamShatner! Any chance I can negotiate a truce between you & @viallnicholas28 ?? ???? pic.twitter.com/no9IJNaamb
— Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) March 22, 2017
UPDATED: Yeah. Probably a publicity stunt.
Hey @viallnicholas28 Will you accept this ???? As a Dad w/ daughters I'm not happy w/ what you've done in the past Maybe you've matured now?
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 23, 2017
Hey, @viallnicholas28 & @PetaMurgatroyd! I just stopped by @WilliamShatner's office on my way to @DancingABC. Peace is at hand! ??
— Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) March 23, 2017
Saw Nick Viall dance. He can really dance. I hope he’s as good a lover. https://t.co/gvJyb0FPtu
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 23, 2017
Also in the world of social media outrage. Former DWTS contestants and Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi took to Twitter on Monday before the show to wish fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan good luck ahead of her season 24 debut. However, the wording of Yamaguchi’s message had twitter going bonkers.
So excited for you @NancyAKerrigan ! Can’t wait to see you grace that ballroom floor, break a leg! ??#DWTS
— Kristi Yamaguchi (@kristiyamaguchi) March 20, 2017
Oh. Overreaction. Because of that time in the 90’s fellow competitor Tanya Harding’s boyfriend and his thuggy friends smacked Nancy in the knee with a crowbar, hoping to dash her Olympic chances. Even the Associated Press wrote a story about the reaction to Yamaguchi’s innocent tweet.
Nancy didn’t seem too busted up over the wording.
Thank you so much Kristi! I’m excited to get this started said for the advice you had for me. this its a blast! https://t.co/MMagD7gLgw
— Nancy Kerrigan (@NancyAKerrigan) March 20, 2017
And Yamaguchi’s spokeswoman said in a statement that “Kristi loves Nancy” and “no ill will was intended.” Derp.
