‘Dancing with the Stars’ premiere: Ryan Lochte attacked after performance
There is something very sad about the way in which “Dancing with the Stars” was described to Ryan Lochte on Monday night’s new episode: He was told it was a place for second chances, but clearly there was someone in the audience who felt that he wasn’t worthy of that.
At one point following his routine while judge Carrie Ann Inaba was giving the Olympic swimmer her critique, someone seemed to rush the stage in some capacity. The cameras were not on it, but judging from the boos and also Carrie Ann’s proclamations for everyone to calm down, it’s pretty clear that someone was out to get Lochte in some way.
When the show came back from commercial, host Tom Bergeron thanked security for being on top of the situation. We don’t know precisely what the attacker (or attackers) were trying to do to him; maybe they wanted to hurt him, or maybe they just wanted to yell in his face for a minute. Either way, it was pretty scary stuff and hats off to the producers, Tom, and Ryan and Cheryl Burke for handling it as well as they did. We also imagine that there’ll probably be more security next week.
Let’s go ahead and make something clear: We do think that Lochte did some pretty idiotic stuff while in Rio. Yes, at the same time, does going after him on stage on “Dancing with the Stars” really make you all that much better? We’re willing to at least see him through this season and see just how much he’s changed or if he has.
Update: According to People Magazine, two men rushed the stage wearing anti-Lochte shirts trying to protest in front of their camera. Whether they presented a physical threat to the swimmer remains unclear, but order was restored quickly.
If you want to get some other news on “Dancing with the Stars,” head over here to read our review of Monday’s episode. Also, sign up over here to get some other TV news on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ABC.)
Me
September 14, 2016 @ 3:14 am
The protesters were not appropriate, granted, but they did not “attack” him either. They very clearly in all videos, walked in between him and the camera. The only actual violent act is from the security guard tackling a man that did not touch nor attempt a violent act. Inappropriate, uncalled for, yes. Violent or attacking, no.
Re
September 13, 2016 @ 5:49 am
Well there goes the next Winner…
Maxigirl
September 13, 2016 @ 3:39 am
Sometimes we can be very unforgiving. None of us are perfect. How many times does the young man need to apologize? Seriously, it’s time to move on.
Dee Dee
September 13, 2016 @ 2:59 am
I wouldn’t be surprised if Lochte didn’t hire those guys in order to illicit sympathy.
Justin
September 13, 2016 @ 2:25 am
Was it a potential PR stunt? If anything, this helps him as viewers are more likely to sympathize.
John R
September 13, 2016 @ 2:53 am
Ryan Lochte is not that smart. The very fact that the media all over the world are picking on him shows that. He was indeed robbed, but he is terrible at public relations.
Dee Dee
September 13, 2016 @ 3:00 am
PR stunt…….a liar will do anything!
Roy
September 13, 2016 @ 2:13 am
It’s a shame that the media ignores the fact that those athletes were subjected to a shakedown by rent-a-cops at that gas station. Their exaggerated descriptions shouldn’t be excused, but neither should the extortion the they endured. Had this occurred in this country those security guards would have a lot more to answer to!!!
JudeLawGuardian
September 13, 2016 @ 2:18 am
SERIOUSLY? Oh BOO HOO!!! The idiots desteroyed a bathroom and LIED ABOUT IT.WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!! “Extortion” my butt. They NEEDED to pay for the damage. Thank GOODNESS not every country is so lenient and PC with such unacceptable behavior as the U.S. They deserved it.
TXbornTXbred
September 13, 2016 @ 2:34 am
They did not destroy a bathroom and there is plenty of evidence to prove, they were no where near the bathroom. Some of the media finally got around to doing their jobs. Keep up man…before you sound off.
John R
September 13, 2016 @ 2:50 am
Thank you. Some of us get it.
lbs3169
September 13, 2016 @ 2:34 am
I bet you would be the first person running the the ACLU if your were made to “pay” at gunpoint money to rent-a-cops and the police just said, “hey, don’t be so PC you had unacceptable behavior.” Its a bathroom. They threw a garbage can and broke a piece of glass. It’s more annoying than something that really cost money. Now if they held a gun to them and made them sweep up the mess that they made then they would be getting what they deserved. Those “rent-a-cops” robbed him, but Lochte gave them the ammo to make it acceptable.
John R
September 13, 2016 @ 2:52 am
They did not damage the bathroom, as confirmed by USA Today Sports. Only the advertising sign was pulled down. Btw, where is the invoice for the repair work to the bathroom? Wher eis the video of the bathroom being repaired? How much money was taken from the swimmers, and where did that money go? (Into the pockets of the armed security men.) Lochte embellished, but the four swimmers were indeed robbed.
John R
September 13, 2016 @ 2:49 am
Really? Where did you get that from? Yeah, they destroyed a bathroom, and then peed outside. Uhh, huh. USA Today Sports investigated and found no damage to the bathroom at all. Only the advertising sign was pulled down. The Brazilian police chief lied about that, and, oh yeah, unlike our swimmers, no one was pointed a gun at the police chief.
John R
September 13, 2016 @ 2:54 am
Thank you. You are absolutely right. I wish some people would research this story before commenting. People only go by ten second news broadcasts. Lochte at most embellished a story. He and his teammates were in fact extorted for money at gunpoint. The only damage was a pulled down advertising sign. The Brazilian police chief lied about the damaged bathroom. Well, anyway, I am glad Lochte is alright. I hope the truth comes out, and I would say a lot of people owe Ryan Lochte an engraved apology.
Dee Dee
September 13, 2016 @ 2:58 am
Yes….let’s blame the media for this lying brat!
Kathy
September 13, 2016 @ 2:13 am
How awful for him. I feel so sorry for him. He’s trying to redeem himself and make things better. Damn! Give him a beak. Many of us has had a few to many to drink and made some bad choices.
John R
September 13, 2016 @ 2:54 am
Some losers just love to kick someone while, they are down. Cowards.
Diana
September 13, 2016 @ 2:04 am
I agree, it looked like someone rushed him, but due to delayed feeds, they were able to show a recap of his routine over what was happening onstage. Ryan and Cheryl were quite shook up.
Elvis
September 13, 2016 @ 2:04 am
Unacceptable. What an AH for attacking Lochte.