The 'Dancing With the Stars' Judges Dinged Martin Kove For His 'Karate Kid'-Inspired Skit

Listen, rarely should you treat an actor with the reverence of their fictional counterparts. Like, don't go up to Mark Hamill, swinging a broom and wailing about the Force or something. Not a great look!

Though, you'd be forgiven if you made one exception: If you see The Karate Kid/Cobra Kai trio of senseis—Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, and Martin Kove—out and about, at least treat them with the reverence of someone you know could kick your ass. (Because they probably can.) You'd think everyone would keep these guys on a pedestal. Nope. The 71-year-old Kove (who plays the never-not-terrifying leader of the Cobra Kai dojo, Kreese) bravely performed on Monday night's premiere of Dancing With the Stars. He opened up his routine, where he danced the paso doble to “You’re The Best” by Joe Esposito, in character. Flanked by giant statues of cobras, Kove initiated a call and response to the crowd, making them scream "YES SENSEI!" and "NO SENSEI!" before launching into his dance. Treating the dance floor like it's a dojo—cool, right?

Again, nope. The Dancing With the Stars judges, for the most part, skewered Kove like poor Danny LaRusso running into Johnny Lawrence on the beach. Derek Hough accused Kove of being unprepared. Bruno Tonioli ripped his footwork. Len Goodman was the only one who (pardon us) showed mercy on Kove, reminding us that this guy is, you know, busting moves on a national stage in his seventies. Kove told them that the Dancing With the Stars process has already been harder to endure than a kick to the face, en route to earning what was by far the worst score of the night.

As loyal supporters of the Cobra Kai-verse here at Esquire, we'd just like to say to Hough and co.: Show some respect to our sensei! It was the man's first try at it! At least give him points for the showmanship. Our money's on Kove to bounce back next week with a slow-dance to "Open Arms" that'll make the judges weep and rue the day they crossed Kreese. Regardless, if anything, we just got our first idea of what next year'sThe Karate Kid – The Musical will look like. (Yep, it's a real play coming to Broadway.) Check out Kove's routine for yourself.

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