Following Hugh Hefner's tweet that teased Karina Smirnoff as the May issue cover of Playboy, ABC reportedly is frantic about the kind of attention that "Dancing with the Stars" will get. "If Karina posed naked, she can kiss her dancing days goodbye," a show's insider told PopEater. "I hope for Karina's sake that this isn't true.""DWTS", despite skimpy clothes and sexy dances, is categorized as family TV. Karina, reportedly has violated the terms of her contract by posing nude for the cover without getting a consent from the show's bosses. "ABC publicity department controls the image of this show with an iron fist. It's a cash cow and they are not going to allow its reputation to be soiled by a dancer who wants to do Playboy," an ABC source said.
In fact, the execs have applied the theory on host Tom Bergeron. "Just a few weeks ago, ABC PR stopped Tom Bergeron from doing a live webcast with an outlet they didn't approve of. I can only imagine is going on right now after Hef's tweet," the source added.
Karina's issue of Playboy would be out later this month, possibly while she's still dancing on the show with surprise favorite Ralph Macchio. Rep of the pro dancer and ABC are yet to comment on the report. But it's not likely that ABC will give Karina a harsh treatment because this season is featuring another woman who has posed for Playboy, Kendra Wilkinson.
Credit: ACE Showbiz