I really, really was planning to say absolutely nothing. It’s not a secret, Tavis Smiley and I don’t exchange Christmas cards. But invariably, whenever Tavis goes out of his way to go “Tavis” in the public space, the texts, Facebook messages and emails are incessant.

I get it, you want to know what I think, what I feel about anything Tavis has said or done. Not all things though are worth highlighting or offering commentary in response. So, for the most part I hold my tongue. At the same time, I understand why many people wish for me to translate his seeming inexplicable behavior; given I had worked for him for almost six years.

The backstory is HERE.

Really, I planned to say absolutely nothing about the whole Dancing With The Stars appearances.

But then…

I came across a People magazine story, highlighting Tavis’ excuses for why he was booted off the show. At first I just shook my head in amazement and then I laughed out loud. For some, not-quite-logical reason, Tavis blames the producers for his “untimely” exit.

In a post-show interview with People magazine, Tavis offered the following thoughts. Be sure to file this in the “Narcissism Tends to Make One Incapable of Self-Awareness” folder.

Producers shouldn’t sign up people who can’t commit the time when they are told up front that the person is going to be on a book tour. We gave them the entire book-tour schedule in advance! This is not about sour grapes. It’s about saying I think the fans deserve to have stars on this show who have the time to commit to learning the dances so [partner Sharna Burgess] and other professionals don’t waste their time trying to do something that’s just humanly impossible.”

According to Smiley, he and his partner only had 10 hours last week to prepare for Monday’s cha-cha while Smiley promoted his latest book..yada, yada, yada…blah, blah, blah.

So now it’s the PRODUCERS’ fault?! Instead of Smiley simply saying he was “too busy” in advance, because he was on a book tour (which would reap proceeds FAR less than appearing on DWTS); he opted for the alternative of out-of-touch, self-aggrandizement, quite unflattering, ungracious, sore loser card.

“Producers shouldn’t sign up people who can’t commit the time when they are told up front that the person is going to be on a book tour.”

Well-played Tavis…(or not).  Did he really say that…out loud?

Who says that?! Who does that?! Clearly Smiley is incapable of hearing himself. There must not be any internal editorial board to review his statements before he utters them. Nobody of sober judgment lets such comments fly.

#Blindspot

If Tavis doesn’t have the time to dedicate himself to preparing for the show, then that’s a “Tavis” problem, not a DWTS problem. He shouldn’t have agreed to be on the program, shouldn’t have signed the contract and shouldn’t have accepted the 6-figure payment for participation. Far be it from Mo’Kelly to state the obvious, but evidently it’s not all that obvious to the guy booted off in week 2.

What Smiley also failed to realize is that although his score was not the lowest Monday, his dismissal was inextricably linked to his lack of appeal to any particular demographic group. Meaning, SOMEBODY has to like you in order to advance on the program.

African-Americans, millennials, sanitation workers, high school glee clubs, members of Future Farmers of America…SOMEBODY has to like you. No such demographic comes to mind and clearly no such demographic picked up its mobile phones in support of Smiley. Somebody please explain to Tavis, it’s a package deal. Viewers have to like you AND your dancing.

#Fail

Let this People magazine interview serve as a window into why presumably, Smiley ‘s lacking humility mirrored his lacking votes.

More specifically…

Lecturing viewers with ill-advised wordplay of “sum/some” didn’t make Smiley seem inspirational, it was off-putting and pretentious.  Clearly, “some” of us, (that’s s-o-m-e) are not self-aware. Complaining in this manner after the fact is not only petulant, but equally off-putting and pretentious. It is a televised glimpse into an ego clearly run amok and rudderless for far too long. It is confirmation to anyone who opted to vote for ANYONE else that their vote was well-placed. (Scroll to 2:55 of video)

There’s a reason (a very good one) why no Civil Rights leader (or even a self-anointed/appointed one) has EVER appeared on a game show, dancing or otherwise. It is the same reason that no Civil Rights leader would EVER twerk and booty-bounce for the camera on national TV.  Smiley did both. The continuing theme here is the exhibition of horrendously poor judgment.

#LegacyKiller

Smiley originally alleged that his participation was part celebration of his 50th birthday and part desire to do something “stupid” and “silly.”

Mission accomplished as to the stupid/silly. It just happened off the dance floor as he twerked and booty-bounced to the exit. Getting older is inevitable, becoming wiser…optional.

The good news for Smiley is that no longer will there be a top-rated television show replete with free publicity to further intrude upon his tour for a book to save a brand on life support.

Humility is never out of style, it’s just out of reach for some.

That’s “s-o-m-e.”

“Keep the faith” Tavis.

People magazine story HERE.