Chaz Bono and Dancing With The Stars partner Lacey Schwimmer respond to judges comparing Bono to an animal and a Star Wars character.

It was a dramatic evening on the ABC competition series, which paid tribute to Broadway musicals. After their Phantom of the Opera-inspired tango, judge Bruno Tonioli said Bono was like "a cute little penguin trying to be a big menacing bird of prey." Tonioli has also compared Bono to an Ewok.

Dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy had heated words for head judge Len Goodman, who was critical of his Rent-influenced rumba with soccer star Hope Solo, calling it their "worst dance of the whole season." The criticism let to Chmerkovskiy telling Goodman "maybe it's time" he leave the dance business. Chmerkovskiy and Solo, landed near the bottom of the judges' leaderboard last night. With 20 points out of 30, they finished just ahead of Bono and Schwimmer, who are in last place with 19 points.

After the show, Schwimmer agreed with Chmerkovskiy. "They always have their favorites, and this season it's completely clear who they are," she said. "I won't name names, but we are not one of them. I'm actually proud of what Maks said. A lot of us don't get the chance to stand up for us and our partners."

Schwimmer later commented on the animal comparisons to Access Hollywood. "Every week he gets referred to as an animal," Schwimmer said. "They always comment on his personality, and last I checked, this was a dancing show."

To learn how to vote for Bono and Schwimmer go here.

Watch a post-show interview with Bono and Schwimmer below.

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