Current:Home > ScamsTom Bergeron will 'never' return to 'DWTS' after 'betrayal' of casting Sean Spicer -Wealth Empowerment Academy
Tom Bergeron will 'never' return to 'DWTS' after 'betrayal' of casting Sean Spicer
Fastexy View
Date:2025-04-08 23:34:32
Former longtime "Dancing with the Stars" host Tom Bergeron, who parted ways with the show in 2020, has revealed that he will "never" return to the ABC competition program.
"It's not the same show. It's not the same world," he told fellow "DWTS" album Cheryl Burke on Sunday's episode of Burke's podcast, "Sex, Lies and Spray Tans."
“The show that I left was not the show that I loved, and that’s it in a nutshell," he said, noting that "95%" of his experience was "wonderful."
Bergeron, 68, explained that his rift with the show — which he hosted from its premiere in 2005 through 2019 — began with the "betrayal" he experienced in that final year, when "DWTS" producers cast former Donald Trump aide Sean Spicer.
"I'd been lied to by the people in charge," he said of learning about Spicer's casting in Season 28.
'A permanent part of this show':'DWTS' Mirrorball Trophy is renamed for judge Len Goodman
Bergeron: Casting Sean Spicer showed 'Dancing with the Stars' 'at its worst'
According to Bergeron, "DWTS" showrunners he'd spoken to prior to the season had agreed with his feedback that they should stay out of politics amid a contentious presidential election cycle.
“It wasn’t about my political beliefs; it was about my feeling about the show: What is this show at its best? And what was happening was we were suddenly becoming the show at its worst," he told Burke. “This, to me, felt like a darker period of our history, and we were fueling that fire. And I just felt it was wrong. I felt it was a disservice to the show."
"I would’ve responded the same way if they’d booked Hillary Clinton, whom I voted for: 'Don’t go there — this is not the right time. Play to our strengths, be the show that gives people a break,'" Bergeron added. “At one point, I even said, ‘How about if I take this season off?’ And they said, ‘Well, we’ll let you out of your contract if you want.’ And that really pissed me off.”
A shocking elimination:What happened when Jamie Lynn Spears was booted on "DWTS"
Tom Bergeron was 'miserable' during his final season on 'DWTS'
Bergeron made headlines at the time by publicly opposing Spicer's inclusion on "DWTS" with a statement that he revealed no one at ABC or "DWTS" knew he'd be issuing. “I wanted the viewers to know this was a step too far to me on the cusp of an election year," Bergeron explained to Burke.
"It is the prerogative of the producers, in partnership with the network, to make whatever decisions they feel are in the best long term interests of the franchise," he posted on X (formerly Twitter) in August 2019. "We can agree to disagree, as we do now, but ultimately it's their call. I'll leave it to them to answer any further questions about those decisions."
Amid his disagreement with the showrunners and network, Bergeron "knew it was probably my last season," he said.
Though he tried to “be Switzerland" as the host of the show, "I was furious," Bergeron admitted. While he credited co-host Erin Andrews for supporting him throughout Season 28, "I was miserable the whole season," he revealed.
"DWTS" parted ways with both Bergeron and Andrews in 2020, and they were replaced by Tyra Banks, who has since also left. (Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are the current hosts for the show, which airs Tuesdays at 8 EDT/PDT).
"Now finally they’ve got good people back, and the show has righted itself to some degree, Bergeron said, adding that he "couldn't be happier" for everyone involved with "DWTS" now.
'I was crushing on Derek for sure':Brooke Burke will 'always have a crush' on her former dance partner
veryGood! (4)
Related
- Blake Lively’s Inner Circle Shares Rare Insight on Her Life as a Mom to 4 Kids
- Kentucky clerk who opposed gay marriage appeals ruling over attorney fees
- Sofía Vergara Shares Rare Glimpse at Romantic Vacation With Boyfriend Justin Saliman
- Wife of Yankees executive Omar Minaya found dead in New Jersey home
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Tennessee woman gets over 3 years in prison for blocking clinic access during protest
- Wife of Yankees executive Omar Minaya found dead in New Jersey home
- What we know about Canada flying drones over Olympic soccer practices
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Aaron Rodgers doesn't regret skipping Jets' minicamp: 'I knew what I was getting into'
Ranking
- JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
- USA’s Kevin Durant ‘looked good’ at practice, but status unclear for Paris Olympics opener
- When does Team USA march at 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony? What to know
- Third man pleads guilty in connection with threats and vandalism targeting New Hampshire journalists
- American news website Axios laying off dozens of employees
- Def Leppard, Journey and Steve Miller romp through five hours of rock sing-alongs
- Starry Sky Wealth Management Ltd.
- Former University of Florida president will return on an interim basis after Ben Sasse’s resignation
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Coco Gauff joins LeBron James as US flag bearers for opening ceremony
Hugh Jackman claws his way back to superhero glory in 'Deadpool & Wolverine': Review
Jimmy Carter, 99, Is Still Alive Despite Death Hoax
'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
Blaze Pizza franchisee hit with child labor violations in Nevada, fined over $277K
Two North Carolina public universities may see academic degree cuts soon after board vote
MLS All-Star Game vs. Liga MX: Rosters, game time, how to watch on live stream