"DWTS" controversy: Were the judges fair to Ralph Macchio?

(CBS/AP) Ralph Macchio had nothing but praise for his "Dancing With the Stars'' partner, Karina Smirnoff, when he was eliminated from the finals Tuesday night, but he had some other words for the judges.

The 49-year-old "Karate Kid" actor told reporters after the credits rolled that the judges didn't give him a fair shake.

Pictures: Dancing With the Stars"

He said he "felt circled as the one couple that didn't get praise and built up like the others did'' during Monday's episode.

The actor, who danced through a knee injury during the show's last two episodes, singled out comments made by judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli that he said were "rude and disrespectful.''

Tonioli was briefly bleeped during his remarks, in which he also referred to Smirnoff as "a pussycat.'' Smirnoff was wearing a leopard-print catsuit for the performance.

Tonioli started his comments by criticizing Macchio for having his legs too far apart. "Are you wearing extra large diapers?" he asked.

A visibly angry Smirnoff, who bore the brunt of the criticism, at one point said of Tonioli, "Get a muzzle for him."

Macchio said after Tuesday's show he "felt like the playing field wasn't level for some reason" during Monday night's competition. On-screen Tuesday, he told co-host Brooke Burke, "I was confused by the judges last night."

After his elimination, Macchio said, 'Karina, you have inspired me in so many ways with your heart and your talent and class - and even more so as a human being." He also thanked the fans who he said "got me through" week after week.