Tom Bergeron & Erin Andrews Exit ‘Dancing With the Stars’ for Season 29
Dancing With the Stars is going to look different when Season 29 premieres, and not just because of any new guidelines in place for the health and safety of all involved.
Host Tom Bergeron and co-host Erin Andrews will not be returning to the ABC dance competition series next season. The news first broke Monday (July 13) night when Bergeron tweeted, “Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me” Monday night. “It’s been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career,” he continued. “I’m grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made.”
Then, ABC and BBC Studios released a statement confirming his departure and revealing that Andrews won’t be returning either due to the show’s “new creative direction.”
“Tom Bergeron will forever be part of the Dancing with the Stars family. As we embark on a new creative direction, he departs the show with our sincerest thanks and gratitude for his trademark wit and charm that helped make this show a success,” the statement reads.
“Erin will also not be returning, and we appreciate all that she brought to the ballroom,” it continues, “Fans have been rooting for her since she originally competed as a contestant back in 2010, and her signature sense of humor has become a hallmark of the show.”
Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me. It’s been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career. I’m grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made. That said, now what am I supposed to do with all of these glitter masks?
— Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) July 13, 2020
Bergeron, a two-time Emmy Award-winner, hosted DWTS since the beginning, with Andrews joining him in Season 18.
Season 29 is scheduled to be part of ABC’s fall lineup — whenever that may be — and The Bachelorette‘s Kaitlyn Bristowe is set to be part of the cast. Another former Bachelorette, Hannah Brown, won the Mirrorball Trophy in Season 28.
Stay tuned as ABC reveals more of the “new creative direction” DWTS will take in the upcoming season.
Dancing With the Stars, Season 29, Fall 2020, ABC
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Comments are closed on this story.
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L
They didn’t exit. They were shoved out the door. Will not be watching their new creative direction. A slap in the face to viewers that have been with the show since the beginning.
26 1
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W
I guess this surprises me. You won't even give the show a chance when it returns? You enjoyed it at the beginning when you couldn't know that you'd enjoy Bergeron, why not give the new show a chance at least to see if you enjoy it? Tom cashed a lot of big checks from the show. He'll be fine. Don't deny yourself some potentially fun entertainment.
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L
Sorry , but for me Tom is a big part of why I enjoy watching DWTS. It would be one thing if he wanted to leave but he was pretty much forced out for no reason. I am tired of producers messing with a show. This is just how I feel. I am sure that many other viewers will give the new version a chance.
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W
Considering who they chose to succeed Bergeron, I have to conclude that your instincts were spot on and that no one should waste time watching the show any longer.
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B
I certainly won't be watching anymore. I love Tom Bergeron. What are they thinking??? I agree totally with Lisa Schwartz, it is a slap in the face to the faithful viewers.
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G
A decision they'll regret. He was class and one of the best at thinking quick on live TV. Good luck finding that with the new crew. New direction? Yep old white male out.......
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B
Terrible news! I'm DONE watching DWTS. Tom and Erin were what made that show so successful. Very foolish network decision.
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T
They lost me. Almost did when that Bones guy, who NEVER DANCED A STEP won, but THIS is THE END for me
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G
We won’t watch DWTS, again! Bye bye😡
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O
I believe that Tom and Erin added to the show. They both felt real, interested in the contestants. Tom is wicked funny.
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P
what are they thinking? those two worked fantastic together and so quick witted
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G
I will not be watching without Tom & Erin, the new direction should have been better judges! Well I enjoyed watching Tom and Erin. But sick of Bruno’s nasty sexual insinuations. If a man talked like that to the women he wouldn’t have been on a day. I’m sure going to miss the dancers!
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G
I will not be watching dancing with the stars, without Tom
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R
They never should have tried a new direction for the show. As the saying goes if it ain't broke don't fix it and it wasn't broken. The show was great with Tom and Erin and they should never have been asked to leave the show. The producers or whoever have made a huge mistake. Dancing With the Stars was much better with Tom and Erin. The producers or whoever ruined a very good thing.
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O
Dancing with stars lost the dynamite it had. Had to always make sure to be home to watch. Now just a program that network puts on to fill time
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O
Dancing with stars now does not have the dynamite is had. Just blaming now. Tom's little statements he uttered made the show exciting and just fun. It is now just show you MIGHT watch if nothing else on.
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O
I don’t like this years dancing with the stars. It has lost its class. I don’t like the format. I miss Tom and Erin, they were so professional and classy. I sleep thru it every Monday night. I’m so disappointed in the. show, I loved it, couldn’t wait for it to be on. It was my favorite show, no more.
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G
Bergeron/Andrews out?! ME TOO!! They also didn't bring Artem back. WTH?! If it ain't broke don't fix it! This show was one of the only two reality shows I still watch, but like all the others they think if they change it up it will bring more $$. I will say the winners of the last two seasons were a joke. Bobby Bones love him in his other roles, great to see him try, but not a dancer and Hannah Brown, what were the voter thinking? Several others from last season were much better dancers. My time will be better spent in that time slot now.
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W
I guess the show runners thought it was time to take a different course. Only time will tell if they made the right decision.
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