Dancing with the Stars crowned the Season 34 winners of the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy amid the 2025 TV schedule just last week. With that, fans may now be wondering what’s in store for the 35^th season. Even more so than ever after Tom Bergeron returned to the ballroom for the show’s 20^th anniversary party and called for ABC to bring back the results show. Now, an EP is weighing in on the possibility.

It seems like it’s been a long time since DWTS not only aired two seasons a year but also aired two episodes a week. Up until Season 17 in 2013, the dances took place on one night and results were revealed on a different night. However, those elements were eventually combined to just one night, giving viewers only a couple of hours to vote for their favorites.

During DWTS’ 20^th birthday party episode, Bergeron shared how viewers were breaking records week after week with their voting, leading him to ask for the results show to be brought back. That way, everyone would receive the chance as, right now, viewers on the West Coast aren’t really able to since the show isn’t live when it airs in such states. Bergeron makes a good point, but executive producer Deena Katz told TV Insider shared a different take:

Dancing with the Stars has now been without a results show longer than it actually had one, yet it’s clear that it’s still very much missed. Not only do fans on the West Coast not have much of a chance to vote, unless they go in blind, but the results also aren't shared until the last couple of minutes of an episode. So, when the credits start rolling, there isn’t much time to celebrate.

As someone who's watched DWTS on and off over the years, I would love nothing more than for the results show to come back, especially if that means two episodes a week. The results shows were always spectacles as well, but I can see why Katz thinks the series is doing well now with the condensed format.

However, if ratings continue to climb after Season 34's massive success, execs could possibly consider bringing the results show back. Or, at the very least, DWTS could change its format so the results aren’t given right before the credits roll.

Meanwhile, fans have also been itching for two seasons a year, but another EP, Conrad Green, shared that the format is out of their hands and argued that having a single season per a year makes like a real event. I wouldn't mind seeing some changeups, though, even if it means going to the old format -- results show and all. We'll have to wait and see what happens but, for now, fans can still look forward to watching Season 35 next fall.

Dancing With The Stars celebrated its 20th anniversary, and while it came with the bummer of Andy Richter finally being eliminated, it was a great night celebrating the show. The series pulled out all the stops, inviting many former celebrity contestants and faces synonymous with the show. This included former host Tom Bergeron, who used his return to make a plea to ABC.

Fans were thrilled to see Bergeron back on the show, splitting duties between being a co-host and a judge on the panel. Bergeron didn't let it get to his head and took the opportunity to celebrate the acclaimed dancing series, as well as get on a soapbox about how the latest episodes prove that this series needs more screen time a week.

Tom Bergeron Wants Dancing With The Stars To Return To Two Nights

Tom Bergeron has praised his time on Dancing With The Stars a lot over the years, enough to the point that it's clear he still has a lot of love for the show. He was in talks over the summer to return, and sure enough, was right alongside for all the fun of the 20th anniversary. The host was his usual magnificent self, which wasn't a surprise, but I was caught off guard when he took his final chance to speak to address decision-makers at ABC about the show:

Dancing With The Stars Season 34 appears to be a phenomenal year for the series, with every episode featuring a record-breaking vote. Of course, since the show airs live, people on the West Coast may be voting without watching the episode. As Tom Bergeron said, if the show is doing well, why not push the results show to the next night and allow more people to vote?

Why I'd Be Ok With DWTS Bringing Back The "Results Show"

I know some people would rather not stretch out Dancing With The Stars and prefer to watch another series on the 2025 TV schedule, but I'm with Tom Bergeron on this one. Viewers don't even get the full two hours of the show to cast their votes, and if they're like me, have already voted for all their favorites within the first five minutes of the program.

I don't want to vote that way, but after being shut out of the process on premiere night, I'm too paranoid not to. Ideally, I'd love to at least have the night to think about my favorite performances, and then cast my vote for who I think did the best.

I think bringing back the results show would slightly help prevent Dancing With The Stars from becoming the popularity contest that it often is. I'm just as guilty as everyone else for voting Andy Richter through week after week, but we all know that he had no business outlasting a few of the dancing couples that he did. Obviously, we'll never know if a second night and more time to vote would've changed that, but I'd be open to ABC playing with the idea and bringing it back when we get to Season 35.

For now, Dancing With The Stars will continue on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET. We're getting really close to the season finale, so be sure to get caught up and throw some extra support behind the competitors as they work on their final performances.

Dancing with the Stars is going big for its 20^th birthday episode on Tuesday as part of the 2025 TV schedule, and that includes bringing back Tom Bergeron. The beloved former host will be a guest judge, marking his return to the ballroom since being fired ahead of Season 29. Not surprisingly, a lot of fans are hyped over the news, and Bergeron had a four-message response.

During last week’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night episode, it was teased that there would be a very special guest judge for the show’s 20^th birthday. Bergeron was announced as the guest judge on Good Morning America the following day, and I'd argue it's the best news yet to come out of DWTS Season 34. In anticipation of the episode, Bergeron shared a fun photo to Instagram of him in the ballroom with Daniella Karagach, Jenna Johnson, Julianne Hough and Hayley Erbert, alongside the caption, “Like I never left” and fans and DWTS alumni are more than excited:

• I’m obsessed with this 😍🙌🏼❤️‍🔥 - BC Jean Ballas
• THE ICON HIMSELF!! 👏 - miadubin18
• This feels right 😍 - Jenna Johnson
• Good to see u back Tom✨ - @a5iah16
• Can’t tell you how happy this makes me. I am so excited to see you tomorrow on DWTS!!! There aren’t enough words! Just beyond!!!! Yay Tom!!! We love ya!!! - mckm2012
• So excited for this. You leaving was the single biggest mistake they made along the way. You are missed. - brenders_e
• TOM!!!! Our ballroom host king! We’ve missed you so much!! I’m beyond excited for this week’s show. - sarahalpha

It will be so good to see Bergeron in the ballroom again, especially since up to this point, it was unclear if he would ever return. What's truly lovely is that fans (and series alums) are cherishing this time before the episode airs. If only the episode was more than two hours long, because I surely need to see more of Bergeron on this show again. In any case, check out his photo down below:

Since Bergeron hosted the first 28 seasons of DWTS, many viewers seemed shocked when he was fired alongside co-host Erin Andrews. Fans later hoped that he’d come back in whatever way, shape, or form. Some fans may have been hoping Bergeron would return as a host, but a guest judge is the next best alternative. Plus, the veteran host can provide some keen analysis on dances, considering he's seen a wide range of them throughout his time on the show.

Meanwhile, Bergeron isn't the only DWTS alum returning to the ballroom. The Relay Dance competition will see the remaining celebrity contestants (aside from Whitney Leavitt, who earned immunity from the challenge last week) dancing with a past Mirrorball winner, instead of their pro partner. Season 33’s Joey Graziadei, Season 29’s Kaitlyn Bristowe, Season 4’s Anton Ohno, Season 32’s Xochitl Gomez, Season 20’s Rumer Willis and Season 24’s Rashad Jennings will all be competing once again. All it all, this should be a challenge to remember.

Dancing with the Stars Season 34 has certainly been unpredictable so far, both with the eliminations and the guest judges. Guest judging hasn’t been for the faint of heart, as Flavor Flav and Wicked director Jon M. Chu revealed. However, I'm more than confident Tom Bergeron can handle it.

There should be a lot to look forward to, as Dancing with the Stars heads into the quarter-finals and celebrates its 20^th birthday. The fun starts on Tuesday, November 11 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, and viewers can stream the episode with a Disney+ subscription as well.

Fans can soon watch another season of Dancing With the Stars hit the 2025 TV schedule's dance floor on ABC and via Disney+ subscription, with Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro returning as hosts. The two have proven to be a force to be reckoned with since Hough joined Ribeiro on the ballroom floor in 2023 after Tyra Banks departed. Of course, neither of them can compare to Tom Bergeron, who hosted for the first 28 seasons. While he was unceremoniously fired, he actually planned to leave not long after.

Bergeron served as a host on DWTS since the show’s inception in 2005, and had a number of co-hosts, with Erin Andrews serving as his longest co-host from 2014 to 2020 until they were both fired. The two remain close and have even reunited since they left. That said, Bergeron isn’t bitter about it and has even expressed interest in potentially returning to DWTS. But when it came to his exit, he tells TV Insider that despite leaving earlier than he planned, it was a blessing in disguise:

Even though it’s been five years since his exit, Bergeron’s presence is still very much felt in the ballroom, and it’s hard not to imagine how things would have been had he not left. There is always still the hope that he’d come back, whether permanently, as a special guest, or even sitting in the audience. However, the former AFV host admitted that when he was asked to do the latter, he declined, but now, things might be a bit different:

It’s unknown what that one-night scenario is, and assuming he would still be too fidgety to sit in the audience, he could always come back as a guest co-host or a guest judge. He certainly has seen his fair share of dances on DWTS to know what to look for, but in whatever capacity that is, it’s nice to know that there is still a possibility he could come back. Regardless, though, Bergeron is grateful for the experience he had:

It’s unknown when and if Tom Bergeron will ever come back to Dancing With the Stars, no matter how brief, but the show has remained close to his heart. He even hosted a wild crossover between the dancing competition series and Shark Week over the summer, appropriately titled Dancing With the Sharks, and it was just as insane as you’d think it’d be.

At the very least, the full cast for Season 34 of DWTS has been announced, and there are some pretty great contenders and couples. So even if Bergeron doesn’t come back, fans are in for a treat when the new season premieres on Tuesday, September 16 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streaming with a Disney+ subscription.

Dancing With the Stars is prepping for its 34^th season, which will premiere this fall on the 2025 TV schedule. So far, we know about a few contestants who will be making their debut in the ballroom, and we know Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro will be back as hosts. However, I can’t help but still wonder about Tom Bergeron, who was unceremoniously fired in 2020. Will he ever get to be in the ballroom again? Well, he’s opening up about the chances of coming back.

Bergeron was the original host of DWTS, and he starred in the first 28 seasons. ABC surprisingly fired him and co-host Erin Andrews ahead of Season 29. He got honest about the firing in 2021, saying that the show he left was not the show he loved, which makes you question whether or not a return to the ballroom is ever happening.

Well, now, Bergeron’s “good buddy,” original executive producer Conrad Green, is back at DWTS, and the former AFV host told USA Today that a return for him may not be too far off:

While that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s coming back, it also makes it clear that a return, even if it is just temporary, is not impossible. Personally, it would be hard to see Bergeron on the show and not host, but his just being a guest judge would be better than nothing.

It should be pointed out that he almost came back for the 500^th episode last season. However, he declined since he would have been in the audience and not actually part of the episode. To that point, he said:

Even though Bergeron is no longer on Dancing With the Stars, he still keeps the show close to his heart. He occasionally meets up with DWTS vets such as Andrews and Cheryl Burke, and even has a new reality show for Shark Week that is a nod to DWTS and aptly called Dancing With the Sharks. Obviously, nothing would be as great as him returning as a host, but Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro have been doing pretty well, so no matter what, the show is in good hands.

It's hard to tell if Bergeron will ever actually return to Dancing With the Stars, but the fact that he has been in talks is a good sign. At least he’s doing Dancing With the Sharks, so there will be some semblance of a mirrorball even if it’s underwater.

Meanwhile, there will still be a lot to look forward to in the upcoming season of DWTS, which premieres on September 16 on ABC (you can also stream it live with a Disney+ subscription). There are bound to be surprises in store, and who knows? Maybe one of those surprises will be Tom Bergeron returning to the ballroom.

Shark Week is a highlight of the 2025 TV schedule for some but, historically, there always seems to be a program within the Discovery block that rubs viewers the wrong way for one reason or another. Unfortunately, that happened right off the bat this year, thanks to a particularly kooky show. A number of fans tuned in to see Tom Bergeron host Dancing with Sharks, and many subsequently took to social media to negatively sound off on this wild crossover of sorts involving Dancing with the Stars.

DWTS fans have hoped for years that Bergeron would return to the ABC dance competition. However, I'm not quite sure Dancing with Sharks was quite what those devotees had in mind. The special features shark handlers dancing around sharks and using bait to entice them to emulate popular dance moves as well. After the special kicked off the week-long celebration of sharks on Discovery, many on X weren't impressed. Check out some of the responses down below:

• This is a very disappointing way to open Shark Week. This should have been on Thursday at 10pm as a super bonus extra episode.You know what drives ratings and what people want from SharkWeek and this is not it. Some new findings on megladon, showing some 'ghost sharks' , literally anything but this. - @Aaro444
• Bad. Like objectively bad. - @SJmedic911
• I think this episode is making fun of these majestic creatures. - @GuinJudie
• You may want to consider firing whoever made the decision to put this ridiculousness on for Shark Week. Boring. Stupid. Worst start to shark week ever. So sad. - @Mimi202215
• Absolutely STUPID. can't this program leave reality TV behind and go back to science? Just abject moronic drivel tonight. - @Dandelow

Collectively, the online response to Dancing with Sharks was overwhelmingly negative, with numerous comments echoing the opinions expressed above. It feels like this program was a misstep in trying to appease the fans who tune in every year to see more shark content, and less stunt programming to promote the event.

Over the years, Discovery has added somewhat unconventional shows to the Shark Week programming, of course. There was, for instance, the network's odd decision to debut a special called The Real Sharknado a few years back. Also, be aware that before Mike Tyson took on Jake Paul in a boxing match, he also went toe-to-toe with a shark in another weird special produced for the programming block.

Good or bad publicity, maybe the goal of Dancing with Sharks was to help signal the return of Shark Week, which features hours of new programming on the carnivorous fish in primetime every night. Those without cable can also use an HBO Max subscription to keep up with the fun and learn the latest about some of the biggest great white sharks around.

Continue to tune into Shark Week on Discovery as new shows premiere all week, beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET. I'm expecting more of the science, sensational shark footage, and wild survival stories to be on the way later this week. Also, in the aftermath of Dancing with Sharks, it's fortune for the sharks that -- unlike Dancing with the Stars -- they won't have to compete week after week.

Yesterday, we learned that Dancing with the Star legend Len Goodman sadly passed away at 78. As news about his passing broke, many involved with DWTS, including Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and more paid tribute to Goodman. Now, another original DWTS cast member, Tom Bergeron, has opened up about the death of the longtime judge, and the upsetting way he found out about his passing. 

As the news came out about Len Goodman’s passing, Bergeron explained to ET how he found out about the sad news, explaining: 

What a tragic way to find out, especially considering the long history the two shared together. Both Bergeron and Goodman were with Dancing with the Stars on day one, and they continued to work together for almost 15 years. There’s no easy way to break the news that a longtime friend has passed, but understandably, finding out over text and then through the news has to be upsetting. 

Goodman and Bergeron were both on Dancing with the Stars from 2005 to 2019. the former host spoke highly of their early years on the show, and he explained that they were “very special to” him. He continued to talk about Goodman’s legacy, saying:

The former America’s Funniest Home Videos host also spoke highly about Goodman’s ability to give constructive criticism to the contestants on the show. He explained that the other judges would likely agree that “Len’s critique and opinion” was the one that  “everybody valued the most.” 

Both Tom Bergeron and Len Goodman had departed the long-running dance competition after many years of working on the show. The former host left in 2020, and he was replaced by Tyra Banks. Now, the hosting lineup has changed again, as the former America’s Next Top Model Host departed the show, and it was announced that Julianne Hough would be coming back to the ballroom to co-host with Alfonso Ribeiro. Goodman announced his retirement after 31 seasons, and left the show last fall, with many, including Val Chmerkovskiy posting about their love for the DWTS judge. 

As Dancing with the Stars makes its way back onto the 2023 TV schedule, for those with a Disney+ subscription, it feels highly likely that they will honor Len Goodman and his legacy on the show. As Bergeron said, I think everyone who was a fan of the reality competition will always remember the legendary judge’s “twinkle” and “smile.” 

With Dancing With the Stars rumored to make some big changes for next season and multiple longtime stars leaving, including judge Len Goodman and pro dancer Cheryl Burke, seeing some DWTS vets reunite is a joy. Burke recently reunited with former host Tom Bergeron, and some fans had quite the reaction.

Cheryl Burke and Tom Bergeron had a sweet reunion recently, and Burke posted some fun photos from it on Instagram. Although Bergeron departed from the dancing series a few seasons ago, it seems like he has stayed close to the pro dancer, and it was like no time had passed:

Burke and Bergeron weren’t the only ones happy about the reunion. The post was soon flooded with comments from fans yearning for what used to be. the.real.susie.q even wished for a new show with just the two of them, noting that host Tyra Banks just isn’t cutting it for them:

While it has only been a few seasons since Tyra Banks took up the hosting duties from Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, she has seen more than a couple of controversies throughout the show already. Especially following the move to Disney+, some fans think the show hasn’t been the same since Bergeron and Andrews departed, including hoegie12:

Then there’s also chach1006, who directly said that DWTS just went downhill after Bergeron was no longer host:

Meanwhile, some fans are simply holding on to hope that Tom Bergeron will return to DWTS someday, and even hoping more that that someday is in September 2023, to be exact, like orlee_pena:

Tom Bergeron hosted Dancing With the Stars for the first 28 seasons of the series, with Erin Andrews joining beginning in Season 18. The dynamic duo quickly turned into beloved co-hosts for 10 seasons, and both departed the dancing show at the same time. The exit definitely still sings, and some fans aren’t happy with their replacements, as petebotos pointed out:

Although their exits were a bit premature for many fans who didn't want to see them go, both Bergeron and Andrews had nothing but nice things to say when Alfonso Ribeiro was announced to join Tyra Banks as a co-host for Season 31. So while they may not have the best feelings about the way they left things, it’s nice that they don’t have any hard feelings about who replaced them. 

As for Cheryl Burke, it’s especially nice to see her with Tom Bergeron since she recently left DWTS herself. Burke penned a sentimental statement following the Season 31 finale after Charli D’Amelio won the Mirrorball. We can only guess if Burke and Bergeron reflected on their time on DWTS, and who knows? Maybe they even discussed the possibility of returning to the Disney+ show in the future. 

Watch Season 31 of Dancing With the Stars now using a Disney+ subscription!

Hollywood has been mourning once again after Cheers vet Kirstie Alley passed away following a colon cancer diagnosis. Many actors and friends of the Scream Queens star have been paying tribute, from Ted Danson to John Travolta and beyond. Now, Dancing with the Stars vets Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Tom Bergeron are joining in.

The Dancing With the Stars pro was Kirstie Alley’s partner for two seasons, ending the 12th season as the runner-ups and were also on the All-Stars edition during Season 15 and were the seventh pair to go home. Maksim Chmerkovskiy took to Instagram to share a lengthy and introspective Instagram post detailing their sometimes tumultuous roller coaster of a friendship, saying he wished he had more time with her.

According to E! News, the pair drifted apart after they competed on the dancing competition together, but it looks like no matter what happened between the two, Kirstie Alley will forever hold a place in Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s heart. And as noted in his post, he’s hopeful they will be reunited again someday in a spiritual sense, and believes there will be a sense of peace should it ever happen. 

Meanwhile, former DWTS host Tom Bergeron also took the time to share a loving tribute to the beloved actress. Bergeron also took to Instagram for his own sweet memory of Kirstie Alley, which involved an unscripted, congratulatory kiss during the premiere of Dancing With the Stars’ All-Star season, the night after he'd won the Emmy for Outstanding Host.

While it was a short moment, it’s nice that Tom Bergeron has this memory with him forever, and not only in his mind but also archived forever online. It’s a sweet memory that, despite happening ten years ago, has not completely left Bergeron's memories, and it likely won't ever, especially now. And who knows how many more memories he made with Kirstie Alley off-screen?

Kirstie Alley was among the many A-listers part of the cast for Season 12 of Dancing With the Stars, alongside Ralph Macchio, Wendy Williams, and Chelsea Kane, just to name a few. She came back just a few seasons later to compete on the All-Stars seasons, which included Drew Lachey, Shawn Johnson, Pamela Anderson, and Joey Fatone. Even though it was a while since Alley was on the series, she obviously had not left the vets and made a permanent mark.

Season 32 of Dancing With the Stars has yet to land a premiere date on Disney+, but it wouldn’t be surprising if there was a tribute to Kirstie Alley in some way. Maksim Chmerkovskiy left the series as a pro after Season 25, but it’s possible he could return to the Disney+ series as a special guest if there were to be a tribute to his former partner.

No matter the relationships, Kirstie Alley touched many lives, friends, and fans. Thanks to the magic of television and film, her memory will live on forever. Our condolences to her loved ones and everyone that adored her.

It was recently announced that Fresh Prince of Bel-Air vet Alfonso Ribeiro will be joining Dancing with the Stars as its newest co-host and will perform his duties alongside Tyra Banks. It's definitely a major moment for the star, though the accomplishment just got a bit sweeter. This is because former hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews showed him some love after he landed his new gig.

Tom Bergeron, who served as the host of Dancing with the Stars during its first 28 seasons, took to Instagram to share some sweet words about the reality show’s newest personality. Bergeron shared a couple throwback pictures to when Alfonso Ribeiro competed on DWTS during Season 19, and I can't think of a sweeter way for him to have passed the torch (or mic, I should say). Check out the post down below:

That tribute was lovely enough on its own, but the fact that Erin Andrews added to it only amplified the occasion. Andrews, who began her stint on the series during Season 18 left alongside her former cohort, responded in a very sweet and congratulatory way:

Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews’ departures at the end of Season 28 were definitely surprising. Even Mirrorball champ Jordan Fisher referred to Tyra Banks as an “odd"replacement. Despite their exits though, the Bergeron and Andrews have remained close. Also, fans remained hopeful that Bergeron would return to the competition series. While that hasn't panned out, it's great that he and Andrews are excited for their newest successor.

Alfonso Ribeiro and Tom Bergeron seem to have a very close relationship. Last year, the actor credited Bergeron for helping him get back on track when he was having post-Fresh Prince issues in Hollywood amid his participation on the ABC show. He admitted that Bergeron even pushed for him to be the next host of America’s Funniest Home Videos, a job that Ribeiro still has today.

While Tyra Banks' hosting has marred with "diva" accusations, she and her new colleague should make for a fun pair of hosts. Their joint tenure coincides with the start of a new era in the franchise's history, as DWTS has moved away from ABC and now calls Disney+ home. On top of that, there's been speculation that some pros may be leaving ahead of Season 31.

Alfonso Ribeiro should definitely inject some well-needed energy (and maybe a Carlton dance or two) into the new season of Dancing with the Stars. And with a loving fanbase and the thumbs up from Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, he certainly has a strong support system behind him as he starts the new job.

Dancing with the Stars Season 31's release date has yet to be announced, but you'll want to be sure to have a Disney+ subscription so you can catch it. Also, check out CinemaBlend’s 2022 TV schedule to learn about other shows that are headed to the small screen this year.

On April 12, Gilbert Gottfried passed away at the age of 67, and the public has been honoring the man with all kinds of tributes and recollections. For instance, many have been revisiting a photo of Gottfried with Bob Saget and Louie Anderson, taking note of how bittersweet seeing the three of them together now since Saget died on January 9 and we lost Anderson on January 21. Many celebrities, including Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane and fellow comedian Jon Stewart, have also shared their own tributes to Gottfried over the last few days.

In Seth MacFarlane’s case, he had the opportunity to work with Gilbert Gottfried on several occasions, including the actor/comedian providing his vocal talents for a couple Family Guy episodes, as well as appearing as Abraham Lincoln in A Million Ways to Die in the West. MacFarlane specifically referenced the 2014 movie while commenting on Gottfried’s passing:

Jon Stewart also had the pleasure of knowing Gilbert Gottfried thanks to the former opening for the latter during his early days as a standup comedian. Here’s what The Problem with Jon Stewart’s eponymous host had to say about the late actor:

Marlee Matlin, one of the cast members in the Best Picture-winning CODA, expressed her sadness for Gilbert Gottfried’s passing, with the two of them having crossed paths on numerous occasions, including at the Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump. Here’s what she had to say:

Of course, one of Gilbert Gottfried’s most beloved roles was Iago the Parrot, who he voiced in 1992’s Aladdin (where he frequently had to rerecord lines), its two direct-to-video sequels and various other pieces of media. Alan Menken, who composed Aladdin’s musical score, had this to say about Gottfried:

Finally, there’s a video of Gilbert Gottfried that’s been making the rounds after his death was announced showing his 1999 appearance on Hollywood Squares, where he repeatedly kept trolling the episode’s two contestants. Tom Bergeron, who hosted the game show back then, appeared on Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast back in 2017 to talk about the Hollywood Squares hijinks and other topics, and the former Dancing with the Stars host shared that episode for those who missed it the first time around.

These are just a handful of the celebrities who’ve shared tributes to Gilbert Gottfried on Twitter and other social media, so feel free to look elsewhere on the internet to see what others have said about him. We could spend all day talking about Gottfried’s work in the entertainment business, but some of his notable credits from recent years include Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Justice League Action, three Sharknado movies, Historical Roasts and Smiling Friends. He was also the subject of the 2017 documentary Gilbert, which won the Special Jury Prize at the deadCENTER Film Festival.

CinemaBlend continues to offer its condolences to Gilbert Gottfried’s family and friends for their loss. Fortunately, future generations will have no trouble discovering his body of work that so many of us have already enjoyed for years.

While America’s Funniest Home Videos has been a television staple for decades, that legacy wouldn’t have been possible without the presence of Bob Saget. Since Saget departed the show, Tom Bergeron and Alfonso Ribeiro have continued Saget’s legacy as a Sunday night staple. Like many fans, co-stars, and loved ones Saget touched during his lifetime, his passing affected Bergeron in a déjà vu way. The former AFHV host recalled how news of Saget’s death reminded him of when his late friend John Ritter died.

Bergeron and Saget formed an unlikely friendship after hosting the video clip show for years (at separate times, of course). So, Saget’s passing hit the former Dancing with the Stars host particularly hard, similar to Full House's John Stamos's experience. But this wasn’t the first time Tom Bergeron had lost a friend. He had a similar experience with late television legend John Ritter, who passed in 2003. He found out the news through a third party. Of course, the way he found out about both deaths wasn’t lost on the former AFHV host.

Learning about two dear friends’ passing similarly was ironic and sad at the same time. Of course, Bergeron felt the losses, having worked with both men on multiple occasions. Sharing the same television show led Saget to support the former Masked Singer contestant during his AFHV tenure. In the same interview with Entertainment Tonight, Tom Bergeron recalled how their friendship got the late comedian to celebrate the show’s anniversary celebration.

How Did Tom Bergeron Become Friends with John Ritter?

While Bergeron’s bond with Saget was understandable, his connection with John Ritter might not be as obvious. The former Dancing with the Stars host and the Three’s Company vet had been friends for years. The two men even shared the screen as the latter was a panelist on the Hollywood Squares revival hosted the former.

Ritter was still on the game show when he fell ill on the set of his sitcom 8 Simple Rules. He ended up passing away from an undiagnosed heart defect. Tom Bergeron was still feeling Ritter’s loss in 2021 as he posted images of him and the Hearts Afire star during funny moments on Instagram (via Inquisitor). Much like his relationship with Bob Saget, it appeared Ritter’s comedic timing drew Bergeron in. His post garnered elicited responses from Ritter’s widow Amy Yasbeck and his Three’s Company co-star Suzann Somers. It seemed the former AFHV host wasn’t the only one feeling Ritter’s absence that day.

AFHV's Alfonso Ribeiro Shared a Special Bond with Saget Long Before Hosting Gig

Of course, AFHV has continued to live on through current host Alfonso Ribeiro. Much like Bergeron, Ribeiro felt the passing of Bob Saget in a major way. While Tom Bergeron has been supporting the Fresh Prince alum since DWTS, his connection to Bob Saget goes back many decades. In his Instagram tribute to the late Full House star, the host recalled their first meeting during his Fresh Prince days.

Of course, Ribeiro was grateful for Saget’s friendship and support. Alfonso Ribeiro even acknowledged the Fuller House star’s contribution to the beloved clip show. Ribeiro's heartfelt moment was the latest AFHV tribute honoring the late comedian. Thankfully, the Fresh Prince alum and the Hollywood Square host have their memories of Bob Saget to hold on to during these emotional times for his friends and family.

Dancing with the Stars delivered a huge change for fans after Season 28 of the hit ABC series, when hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews were fired and replaced by Tyra Banks. The firings were pretty abrupt, and took a lot of viewers by surprise, as Bergeron was the face of the series, and Andrews spent years as his co-host, and reactions to Banks as host were mixed. Now, Bergeron has gotten honest about the end of his time on the show.

Tom Bergeron joined Bob Saget for Saget’s Here For You podcast, and he opened up about elements of the show (and his exit) that weren’t explicit back when the news broke that he was leaving. He mentioned that his decision to publicly  speak up about DWTS casting a political figure didn’t sit well “with the producer or the network.” Although he didn’t name the specific person he was referring to, it’s probably safe to say that he was speaking about former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who was a divisive contestant on Bergeron’s final season of DWTS. Bergeron then explained his feelings about getting fired, saying:

Kudos to both Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews for making sure that the show always went on during their final season, even if they got the sense that the writing was on the wall and they would be cut from the show following Season 28. And honestly, good for Bergeron that he managed to get everything that he wanted to take with him from Dancing with the Stars. He and Andrews weren’t officially fired until months after Season 28 ended. 

And Dancing with the Stars quickly made it clear that some big changes were on the way, rather than just replacing Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews with a pair of new hosts. Tyra Banks, who came into DWTS after hosting America’s Got Talent over on NBC, took the show in some new directions. The format of the show with celebrities partnered with professional dancers before a panel of expert judges stayed the same, but with somebody brand new as the face of the show, it was bound to be different for better or worse. 

Tom Bergeron went on, explaining how he was able to keep doing his job with a smile on his face despite knowing that his time on Dancing with the Stars was running out. He told Bob Saget: 

It’s nice to see that he approached a bad situation with more humor than a lot of other people might have, and that he and Erin Andrews had each other in the process of getting fired. Tom Bergeron didn’t chime in on his thoughts on Tyra Banks other than referring to the new host as somebody who shared his initials, but he did make it clear in the podcast that he still wants Dancing with the Stars to succeed, as he still has a lot of friends there.

And Dancing with the Stars is still going strong, even if some viewers still aren’t altogether convinced that Tyra Banks was the right choice to host the long-running series. Fortunately for fans of Tom Bergeron, he could be returning to television courtesy of another network, even if not necessarily in the coming months.

Fans of the long-running ABC competition series Dancing With the Stars were disappointed to hear that host Tom Bergeron was being let go back in 2019. Bergeron had been a mainstay host on the show since it debuted back in 2005, and fans have already sat through one season without him since his departure. Those who love the long-time TV personality will be pleased to hear that Bergeron is back to work and is plotting a return to TV - although maybe not the way fans expected to see him.

Tom Bergeron recently took to his Instagram to announce that he’s back to work, just not for Dancing With the Stars. His post showcases the NBC costume department building, saying he was being fitted for a guest appearance in an unidentified sitcom. You can check out his post below:

It’s not clear what sitcom Tom Bergeron is talking about, or even if he is being serious about appearing in a sitcom. (NBC notably doesn't have any comedies on its Fall TV schedule, and other NBCU networks aren't very sitcom-friendly.) However, it is clear that he is back to work, and it’s not for ABC or Dancing With the Stars. Not that the info is stopping fans from sending their hopes and dreams out into the world and willing his return to the show to manifest in the future, despite the fact that there aren't any openings.

The comment section of Tom Bergeron’s post is full of fans’ longing comments for his return to Dancing With the Stars, which isn't exactly something he can dictate. One fan says she hasn’t tuned in to watch the show since his departure, and others are seemingly pretty disappointed that his new TV project isn’t a return to the celebrity dancing show.

Some fans are even using the comment section to go in on the celebrity that took Tom Bergeron’s spot as host on Dancing With the Stars, Tyra Banks. There are more than just a few fans saying that Banks has ruined the show for them. While Banks did have a little bit of an announcement mishap, which may not have even been her fault, she does have hosting and TV experience that rival that of Bergeron’s, even if not everyone is so fond of her work.

Tom Bergeron has primarily been a host on TV and is also well known for America's Funniest Home Videos, but he has appeared in acting roles occasionally. It shouldn’t be a total shock that he would have a guest spot on a sitcom, but it is a little surprising that Bergeron hasn’t attached himself as host for another TV program yet, considering how well that kind of gig has worked for him across his 30 years in Hollywood.

Since his departure from Dancing With the Stars, Tom Bergeron most notably competed on The Masked Singer as Taco, which was certainly a side that fans weren't used to seeing. So while we wait to see what's coming next in his career, Dancing with the Stars Season 20 is set to premiere on ABC on Monday, September 20, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Typecasting is absolutely a thing in Hollywood, and there are also challenges for actors who portray a certain, recognizable character in regard to breaking free of a specific role after it has comes to an end. Carlton Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is one such character, and Alfonso Ribeiro, the actor who played him through all six of the iconic series’ seasons, apparently had some post-Fresh Prince struggles. The actor had a hard time distancing himself from the Carlton persona he took on on-screen. But Ribeiro credits his time on Dancing With The Stars and the host at that time, Tom Bergeron, for helping him get back on track with his career.

Alfonso Ribeiro, who was essentially a household name in the ‘90s, recently opened up about what he want through following the end of the show's run. In an interview with Atlanta Black Star, Ribeiro talked about the frustrations of playing the character and how the role ultimately impacted his career. Here’s what the actor had to say about those early post-Fresh Prince of Bel-Air years:

While he did struggle for a long time after his stint with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Alfonso Ribeiro seems to be doing just fine now. Back in 2014, he appeared as one of the contestants on Dancing With The Stars and actually won Season 19 - it makes sense for someone with their own famous dance move! In the same interview, he discussed how important that experience was and how host Tom Bergeron played a role in getting things back on track for him:

It would seem that spending all that time on set of Dancing With The Stars made Tom Bergeron see some serious hosting potential in Alfonso Ribeiro, and he would definitely be one to know, seeing as he has hosted most of his career. Ribeiro has been seemingly stuck doing odd jobs after Fresh Prince, either appearing as himself, acting in smaller projects, and even trying his hand in directing some TV spots. It's also cool to hear that Bergeron actually actually recommended him for his current position as host of America’s Funniest Home Videos, a role that Bergeron held for almost 15 years.

One has to admit that many within the public will always see Alfonso Ribeiro as Carlton Banks, but there are plenty of others who have fallen in love with him for his recent endeavors. And it'll be exciting to see where Ribeiro could go next.

It's fair to say that many aspects of life for the past year have been disappointing, at best, for a lot of people. But, Dancing with the Stars fans had an added ding to their happiness when it was revealed that original, long-time host Tom Bergeron, as well as his co-host Erin Andrews, were cut from Season 29, which aired in the fall of 2020. They were replaced on the ever popular dancing competition by Tyra Banks, but several fans just wanted Bergeron and Andrews back. Now, those same DWTS fans are feeling even more hopeful that Bergeron will return, and we know why.

Even though fans were truly stunned by Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews being suddenly replaced before Season 29, Bergeron reacted to the news publicly with his trademark sincerity and dry humor. He noted what an "unexpected gift" hosting Dancing with the Stars had been, and then went on to wonder about what he was supposed to do with all of the "glitter masks" he'd supposedly accumulated in preparation for the first quarantine season of the series. But, after a recently posted cryptic tweet on his Twitter feed, fans are beginning to think that Bergeron could be making a comeback. Take a gander at what he posted, so we can talk about it, below!

OK, so there's a lot going on in this very short and to the point post from Tom Bergeron, and it's very easy to see why a lot of Dancing with the Stars viewers are hoping this message means that he'll be coming back for Season 30. Not only did he post a simple "stay tuned..." caption with a smirking emoji, but he added the classic "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!" clip from 1990's The Godfather: Part III. Adding up all of those pieces...well, he'd better be returning to DWTS, right?

I mean, sure, he could be going back to another of his long-running hosting gigs, and this tweet could really be about America's Funniest Home Videos. But, that seems less likely, if for no other reason than fans of that show seem more than happy with the work Alfonso Ribeiro has been doing there since 2015, while those who tuned in for the most recent season of Dancing with the Stars had a lot of mixed to not-so-nice things to say about new host Tyra Banks during her first season.

Banks seemed like a very surprising choice to a lot of viewers, probably because she's mostly known as being a supermodel / mogul and had never even competed on DWTS or been especially known as a celebrity fan of the show. But, Banks has hosting experience aplenty from her many years with America's Next Top Model, America's Got Talent, and her own daytime talk show. Unfortunately, her time on one season of the series so far (she also came on as an executive producer), wasn't met with many glowing reviews. To make matters worse, Banks made a big on-air blunder, which was even compared to Steve Harvey's infamous Miss Universe screw ups from 2016 and 2019.

Basically, people just want Tom Bergeron back on Dancing with the Stars really, really bad (even though folks still tuned in without him) and are now hoping beyond hope that this tweet means it might become a reality soon.

Dancing with the Stars will be back on ABC for Season 30 later this year, but we don't have a premiere date just yet. The network did announce that Tyra Banks would be hosting again, so if Tom Bergeron returned, my guess is that it wouldn't be for very long.

Dancing With the Stars had its 29th season last fall, but not without a few changes. Along with the season being produced and filmed in the middle of our national health crisis, the summer before the season, it was announced that long-time host Tom Bergeron had been let go from the dancing series, along with his co-host, Erin Andrews. The friends and former co-workers recently reunited, though, and it was like nothing changed!

Recently, Tom Bergeron posted a picture on Instagram of him and Erin Andrews being all smiles while catching up and drinking tequila. Fans were quick to comment on how much they missed seeing them together, as Bergeron was the host of Dancing With the Stars for the first 28 seasons, while Andrews hosted with Bergeron beginning in Season 18. Take a look!

Seeing the two former hosts of the ABC dancing series together again is refreshing! When both exits were announced last July, the reasoning behind the move was uncertain. Erin Andrews only co-hosted DWTS for six years, while Tom Bergeron was on it from the very beginning, and became one of the best parts of the show for many fans.

Tyra Banks was announced to take over the hosting reigns just a day after the exits were announced. Although the model had hosting experience from her jobs on America’s Got Talent and America’s Next Top Model, many viewers were not excited to see Season 29 of DWTS without their favorite hosts. Banks has also not been a favorite among fans, including when she flubbed an important elimination.

DWTS alum Derek Hough spoke out about Tom Bergeron’s departure last summer and said it made sense that the producers would want to change things up since the series has been going on for so long, and Bergeron had been hosting since the show’s beginning. Judge Cheryl Burke, however, felt hurt when she found out Bergeron was getting replaced. While DWTS was not Bergeron’s only hosting gig throughout his run on the series (some will remember his 14-year job on America’s Funniest Home Videos), this one was his most memorable, as it made viewers want to tune in for something other than the dancing, with some of Bergeron’s commentary with Erin Andrews and the judges being another enjoyable part of the series.

While it’s unknown whether or not Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews would ever return to DWTS, even if just for a single episode, seeing the two together and reuniting eight months after the announcement of their exit is something that will make fans happy. Even though the show hasn’t been the same since the two co-hosts left, the impact they had on the series (especially Bergeron), will remain everlasting. Hopefully, this won’t be the last time the two get together, and, who knows? Maybe they’ll start their own dancing competition they can host together.

Tom Bergeron wowed The Masked Singer audience when he competed on the competition series in the spring. The former Dancing with the Stars host survived a few weeks before he was revealed to be inside the Taco costume. Clearly, William Shatner remembers Bergeron's supreme performances when recently relaying a taco-related joke to Bergeron, and The Masked Singer alum proved he was no prude in his cheeky reply.

Star Trek’s William Shatner had some fun on Twitter over the weekend when he discovered that The Bachelorette star Dale Moss once modeled a taco costume for a Party City advertisement. Shatner tagged Tom Bergeron in his tweet and joked that Moss was “moving in” on Bergeron’s food-clothes territory and that he should call a lawyer about it. Ever the stoic gent, Bergeron was unperturbed by the costume similarity and had a great response for Shatner. Take a look!

I feel bad for The Bachelorette’s Dale Moss, whose taco store costume looks less than appealing to say the least. The taco strap is more or less wrapped around his shoulder and the costume meat is indeed hanging downward at an unappetizing angle. It seems that it’s the first thing Tom Bergeron noticed because his, uh, taco costume was much more put together during his time on The Masked Singer.

I definitely think Tom Bergeron’s Masked Singer taco outfit was far superior and I love that he had a filthy response ready for William Shatner. Bergeron also tagged The Masked Singer’s official Twitter account for good measure, turning into a pretty funny exchange. Bergeron will never let his meat hang out, just so we’re all clear! (Though I’d argue that his outfit actually didn’t have any meat in it at all, sorry Tom!)

William Shatner was ribbing about 2020 getting worse for Tom Bergeron, though I think that particular sentiment might still be too fresh for Dancing with the Stars fans. Bergeron exited the long-running competition series ahead of Season 29, though not of his own choice. The announcement came as a shock because Bergeron had hosted Dancing with the Stars since it premiered in 2005. However, both he and former co-host Erin Andrews were replaced by America’s Next Top Model and America’s Got Talent alum Tyra Banks.

As for Dale Moss, The Bachelorette star was caught in more than one costume from his Party City modeling days. One fan dug up a plethora of photos of Moss modeling a Superman costume, a Roman Centurion outfit complete with sword, and, of course, the taco costume. The photo William Shatner used in his tweet didn’t do the costume justice since there was also an image of a dog wearing a taco costume that was cropped out completely. Who knows? Maybe Moss and Tom Bergeron will inspire another wave of taco costumes this Halloween.

New episodes of The Masked Singer Season 4 are currently airing on Fox. For more on what to watch, be sure to check out our 2020 fall TV premiere guide.

Dancing with the Stars shocked the masses by firing its hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews ahead of Season 29. Bergeron had been on the reality competition series on ABC since the beginning, while Andrews had joined back in Season 18. Soon after, ABC announced that America’s Next Top Model star Tyra Banks would be taking over hosting duties as a single host. Well, now we're into Season 2 and Carrie Ann Inaba is finally addressing the major change, as well as the fans' feelings on the matter.

Carrie Ann Inaba is one of Dancing with the Stars’ original judges, which means she has been on since the beginning. It is a distinction that fired host Tom Bergeron also shared with Inaba prior to his exit from the series. A few months after the dust has settled and Erin Andrews, among others, have had their say, Inaba is now speaking out about what happened, as well as how she feels about Tyra Banks taking over as host.

There you have it. Carrie Ann Inaba acknowledges the controversy that has surrounded the decision. However, in her conversation with TV Insider she cites Tyra Banks’ passion for fashion and the show in general as massive draws to viewers. Inaba’s comments come after Dancing with the Stars pro Cheryl Burke had acknowledged feeling “hurt” over Tom Bergeron getting replaced. Inaba does not mention feeling hurt, although she does say she misses both Bergeron and Erin Andrews.

Carrie Ann Inaba’s reference to Tyra Banks’ fashion infusion comes after a dazzling display of Disney Night costumes for Season 29. Banks’ background as a fashion model and the host of America’s Next Top Model certainly lends itself to helping Dancing with the Stars find a new footing in the world of fashion. For her part, Inaba approves! On that note, Inaba continued praising Banks for stepping in and replacing Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, saying:

Viewers did tune in to see how Tyra Banks’ first season got started. Despite the controversy surrounding Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews’ firings, Dancing with the Stars’ Season 29 premiere drew 8.28 million viewers during its first hour. It didn't lose too many viewers in its second, holding onto a steady 7.91 million in the last half. In addition, Banks has managed to handle some impromptu ballroom drama during her run so far.

Dancing with the Stars will probably always have the hosting switch as one of its buzzed-about historical topics. Before Season 29 began airing, new host (and former pro) Derek Hough called the move to replace Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews “understandable.” Hough did not mention Tyra Banks’ passion for fashion as one of the upsides at the time.

However, Carrie Ann Inaba has, and it will be interesting to see what looks continue to take the screen. Tune in to see Inaba judge (and Tyra Banks continue to host) as new episodes of Dancing with the Stars continuing airing Mondays starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. While you wait to see more dancing (and fashion), check out what other shows are set to cha-cha-cha their way onto this fall’s schedule.

When many viewers think about Dancing with the Stars, Cheryl Burke is undoubtedly one of the pro dancers that comes to mind. After all, Burke has been with the dancing competition on-and-off since nearly the beginning. Meanwhile, Tom Bergeron had been there since the get-go. So as you can imagine, Burke did feel “hurt” after hearing that Bergeron was getting replaced.

Ahead of its twenty-ninth season, Dancing with the Stars announced that it had let go of Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews his co-host since Season 18. The latter has already responded following her involuntary exit from Dancing with the Stars. Now, Cheryl Burke is opening up about waltzing into the next season without Bergeron, telling TV Insider:

Let’s face it. Cheryl Burke knows her way around a ballroom bombshell. She and her celebrity partner, Fuller House’s Juan Pablo di Pace, were previously voted off of Dancing with the Stars despite perfect scores, and radio personality Bobby Bones and his pro partner, Sharna Burgess, ended up clinching the controversial victory.

Cheryl Burke has acknowledged that the move to replace Tom Bergeron hurt her, and she has remained in contact with him throughout the situation. She also shared insight into how much Bergeron has become a part of her family after working together on Dancing with the Stars throughout the past 14 years. On heading into the new season, Burke said:

Cheryl Burke had been around to hear Tom Bergeron calling the show since she began as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars. Burke got her start way back in Season 2. She ended up winning the second season with her celebrity partner, Drew Lachey of 98 Degrees fame. Burke would leave and eventually return to the ballroom.

Last season, Cheryl Burke competed with NFL player Ray Lewis. Unfortunately for her and Lewis, they got forced to retire from the competition due to Lewis sustaining an injury, one of the many suffered during the injury-heavy season. Now, Burke is heading into Season 29 with Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean and Tyra Banks as Dancing with the Stars’ sole host.

Cheryl Burke is not letting her feelings over Tom Bergeron’s involuntary exit from Dancing with the Stars get in the way of her excitement to see what Tyra Banks does as the new host, though. This is a sentiment that was similarly expressed by new judge, Derek Hough, upon news of the switch-up. On her excitement to see Banks host, Burke said:

Tyra Banks for the win! It won't be too much longer before Dancing with the Stars fans see Banks in action and it'll be exciting to finally get an idea of what she'll bring to the show. Burke and a pre-prepped Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean will be among the many to show off their dance skills when Season 29 arrives.

You can watch Cheryl Burke waltz onto Dancing with the Stars with her celebrity partner when Season 29 premieres Monday, September 14, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. While you wait to return to the glitter and glory of the dancing competition, check out what other shows are set to tango onto this fall’s schedule.

Those behind Dancing with the Stars shocked fans when it was announced that the long-running competition had decided to part ways with hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews. While Andrews was once a competitor on the series (having placed third in Season 10), she began hosting relatively recently, and took over for Brooke Burke-Charvet in 2014. Bergeron, on the other hand, has hosted for all 28 seasons, so it was a special kind of not-very-good surprise for a lot of people that he was being retired from the show. Now, former winner Jordan Fisher has spoken about the "odd" decision to have Tyra Banks replace Bergeron and Andrews.

When the announcement was made that Tyra Banks would be the new host of Dancing with the Stars for Season 29 when the show returns sometime this fall, it was also confirmed that she'd be taking on executive producer duties for the series, as well. And, while former DWTS pro Derek Hough recently said he was shocked by the show's move, he did admit that he also felt it was "understandable," but it sounds like Jordan Fisher has an entirely different take. Here's what he told Entertainment Tonight:

Jordan Fisher, who also hosted 2018's Dancing with the Stars: Juniors with former Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz, is correct that fans of the show have been stunned into some less than pleasant reactions to the news that Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews had been replaced. But, when you have a host like Bergeron who started with the show's first season, helped it become popular, and who was even nominated for nine Emmy Awards (winning in 2012) for doing said work, you don't just get rid of him unless you're looking to make some serious changes to what viewers see every week.

Fisher seems to think that DWTS will no longer be looking for a "family-oriented" tone when it returns this fall. While that might be true, it's not like Tyra Banks, who previously hosted her own daytime talk show for five years (and won a Daytime Emmy Award for doing it) as well as hosting America's Next Top Model and America's Got Talent, is known for showing up to host a show and saying / doing wildly inappropriate or suggestive things that would turn families off.

Banks has already said that she's been a fan of Dancing with the Stars since the beginning, and seeing as how she's coming on as an additional executive producer along with hosting, it's unlikely that she's looking to make radical changes which would lead to nip slips or f-bombs getting dropped.

More than anything, it sounds like the show is simply looking to shake things up after Season 28 (which aired last fall), managed to average fewer viewers than any of its seasons before. On top of that, fans have been complaining about the voting system for the show for several seasons now, and changes made last time around not only didn't seem to help, but actually made the outcry worse.

Until we get a look at the new, Tyra Banks-led DWTS, I'm sure many fans will be echoing the thoughts of Jordan Fisher, who also said:

Dancing with the Stars is set to come back sometime this fall on ABC, so be sure to stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest. In the meantime, check out what you can watch in the coming weeks, with our summer TV guide and fall premiere schedule!

Earlier this month, long-time hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews were fired from ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Bergeron’s exit was especially surprising, since he’d been hosting the reality competition show since its premiere in 2005. However, professional ballroom dancer Derek Hough is of the mindset that Dancing with the Stars' decision to replace Bergeron is “understandable.”

Upon announcing Tom Bergeron’s firing from Dancing with the Stars, ABC reps released a statement citing that the competition show would be going in a “new creative direction” for Season 29, and soon announced that Tyra Banks would be the new host and EP. While this change upset many longtime fans of the ABC series, Derek Hough believes Bergeron’s departure is actually par for the course in Hollywood. Here’s what he said to Bevy Smith during an appearance on SiriusXM's Bevelations:

It might be “understandable,” but I still think it’s disappointing that Dancing with the Stars will return next season without Tom Bergeron, especially with regular judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli expected to return for Season 29. Derek Hough himself has also been a staple of the show for many seasons, so perhaps he’s thinking along the lines of how the pro dancers are often swapped in and out to include new faces every now and again.

Whatever the case, ABC execs hired former America’s Next Top Model and America’s Got Talent host Tyra Banks as Tom Bergeron’s replacement to “reinvigorate” Dancing with the Stars for its upcoming season. Banks, who will also serve as executive producer, is “excited to continue” Bergeron’s legacy moving forward. And you know what? Derek Hough also isn’t against the decision to hire Banks at all. In his words:

I suppose that Dancing with the Stars going in a new creative direction does start with a new host, and Tyra Banks is very experienced when it comes to fulfilling that role. So for all intents and purposes, she likely will be pretty “fantastic” hosting the ABC series. Either way, I’ll definitely be tuning in to see how the shake-up will impact the competition series, and whether or not Derek Hough will be around in some capacity.

Dancing with the Stars Season 29 does not yet have a premiere date scheduled. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for updates. In the meantime, be sure to check in with our 2020 fall TV guide to find out when every new and returning show is set to premiere.

For 15 years and 28 seasons on ABC, Dancing with the Stars had America's Funniest Home Videos vet Tom Bergeron front and center as the main host, with Erin Andrews serving as co-host since Season 18. That all changed this week, however, as Bergeron and Andrews were fired from the long-running competition series, with producers aiming to take things in a somewhat new direction for Season 29. Now, the network has announced the new host that will be kicking off a new era of Dancing with the Stars: Tyra Banks.

That's right, the former host of America's Got Talent and America's Next Top Model, which she also created, will now be the front-woman for an unscripted series that doesn't have "America" in the title. (But will hopefully still have as much GIF potential.) Tyra Banks won't merely be serving as the host for Dancing with the Stars, but she'll also be involved behind the scenes as an executive producer working alongside showrunner and fellow EP Andrew Llinares.

Tyra Banks is a true powerhouse in the entertainment industry and is recognizable all around the world as a TV mainstay, a beloved supermodel, and a highly successful businesswoman. Just look at how many Top Model spinoffs there are across the globe. (There are around 50 of them.) So there's little mystery behind why ABC wanted to bring Banks on board to inject some freshness into the celebrity-filled show.

Here's what Tyra Banks herself had to say about her high-profile new job, complete with a shoutout to Tom Bergeron.

It's possible that those who were looking hard enough realized that changes were imminent for the ABC series. The most recent season of Dancing with the Stars marked the first time in the show's run that the network opted to skip the spring cycle in order to focus on the fall. The shift did not appear to create a wave of eager fans, however, with Season 28 averaging fewer viewers than any season before it, on top of a finale that frustrated Erin Andrews herself. All involved are clearly hoping that Tyra Banks will rejuvenate the 15-year-old series.

At this time, there's no word on when ABC's Dancing with the Stars will even be able to move forward with production on Season 29, but stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on that front. After checking out what Erin Andrews had to say about getting ousted, head to our Summer 2020 TV schedule and Fall 2020 TV premiere guide to see all the shows that are confirmed for debuts in the coming months.

Dancing with the Stars will waltz its way back to the small screen on ABC later this year, but it will be missing more than one familiar face. In a surprising twist, longtime host Tom Bergeron will not be part of Dancing with the Stars Season 29, and his cohost of the past ten seasons will be nowhere to be found as well. Both Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews have been cut, months after the end of Season 28.

The news was made official via a joint statement from ABC and BBC Studios (via ET), saying:

The statement from ABC confirmed the departures, but doesn't give an actual reason for why Tom Bergeron, who had been host of Dancing with the Stars from the very beginning in 2005, and Erin Andrews will no longer be part of the show by the time it returns for Season 29. According to Bergeron's rep, however, ABC chose not to pick up the host's option to return, and decided to go in a different direction.

While the cohosting position held by Erin Andrews from Season 18-28 has been filled by a variety of people over the years, Tom Bergeron has hosted Dancing with the Stars in almost every single episode, aside from when Season 19 champion Alfonso Ribeiro filled in for a week in Season 21. Losing either Bergeron or Andrews in a season of Dancing with the Stars would have been a big deal; losing them both should mean that DWTS will look very different in Season 29, on the heels of changes to Season 28.

Tom Bergeron actually broke the news of his departure before ABC and BBC released their statement, sharing this on Twitter:

While fans en masse are undoubtedly dismayed by the news, Tom Bergeron broke it with some humor that may soften the blow. That said, in response to somebody on on social media who asked if his time as host was ending because he was finally becoming a contestant, his response was a simple "Um...no." Does this suggest some bitterness about the end of his time on DWTS? Or just that it's difficult to imagine? Considering Bergeron competed in a season of The Masked Singer, I can't blame the fan for wondering.

At the time of writing, Erin Andrews hasn't posted anything on social media about the news of her departure from Dancing with the Stars. These changes do raise the question of whether more news about Season 29 will start releasing sooner rather than later. So far, pretty much all we know for sure other than Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews' departures is that former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe is on board, and Dr. Anthony Fauci is not.

At this point, I don't even know how ABC could replace Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, although my money is on some Dancing with the Stars veterans stepping in. Alfonso Ribeiro already filled in for Bergeron once, so he's definitely a candidate. Maybe Hannah Brown will continue her ABC reality TV streak! We'll have to wait and what else breaks about Season 29 ahead of the planned fall premiere.

For what you can watch during the wait for fall TV season, check out our 2020 summer TV premiere schedule!

Warning! The following contains spoilers for The Masked Singer's "Friends In High Places." Read at your own risk!

The Masked Singer rounded out its final round of eliminations for Group B, and thankfully, this week did not see the elimination of another legendary singer. I could argue The Taco was a bit of a legend in another regard, as television audiences know Tom Bergeron through his ABC stints on America's Funniest Home Videos and, of course, Dancing With The Stars.

Now that he has been unmasked, Bergeron is talking about his time on The Masked Singer, and how folks who had been involved with Dancing With The Stars helped conceal his identity. According to the host, they alerted him to some things about his natural habits that he wasn't even aware of.

Is this what celebrities mean when they thank "the little people" in Hollywood? While the tips from former Dancing With The Stars crew didn't necessarily improve Tom Bergeron's singing ability or ensure his survival on to the late stages of the competition, they sure did throw the judges off the trail. None of them were able to sniff out Bergeron, even with the more obvious clues of VHS tapes. Of course, The Taco's clues were awfully light on dancing, which I have to think would've made a difference.

While the former Dancing With The Stars staff was able to keep Tom Bergeron from falling back on his old habits physically, they may have gotten into his head a bit too much. Bergeron told TVLine he got so caught up in making sure he did stuff different in that regard, he completely forgot to change up another common identifier audiences may know him by.

You almost have to feel bad for Tom Bergeron, as he tried so hard on the other stuff! Alas, the internet was onto him pretty early in his run, so all the tricks The Masked Singer pulled really only stumped the judges. Honestly, that's all that matters considering there's no at-home vote, which could've been used this season to prevent some shocking eliminations.

The Masked Singer Season 3 airs on Fox Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET. Continue to stick with CinemaBlend for more on the show, and for the latest major news happening in television in general.

Valerie Harper meant a lot of things to a lot of people and the outpouring of support following her tragic death is a testament to that. The actress, best known for her roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and her own spin-off series Rhoda, was a television staple in the 1970s and loved making people laugh. Harper’s daughter, Cristina Cacciotti, confirmed on Friday that the beloved actress had died at 80.

Celebrities like Cyndi Lauper, Topher Grace, and Mia Farrow all expressed their heartbreak over the news of Valerie Harper’s death. Many other of Harper’s esteemed colleagues and friends took to Twitter and Instagram to bid her farewell and to offer their condolences to her family. Former The Mary Tyler Moore co-star and friend Ed Asner, also known for Elf and voicing Carl in Pixar’s Up, expressed his love for Harper in a moving post that touched upon the actress’s many attributes.

Dancing with the Stars co-host Tom Bergeron also paid his respects to Harper and how she “lit up the ballroom." Though she had just been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, the actress continued her run on Season 17 of ABC’s hit reality show.

Actress Marlee Matlin, known for her roles in The Magicians, Switched at Birth, and Quantico, called Valerie Harper the “epitome of strength and humor."

Charmed actress and activist Alyssa Milano also posted about Harper, citing how “gracious” and kind she was when they were both on Melrose Place together.

Documentarian and director Julie Cohen spoke about how much of an influence Harper was on her and that she wore a scarf similar to the actress all throughout the seventh grade because Harper was “so relatable."

It was confirmed by her family (via CNN) that Valerie Harper died after a long fight with cancer. Harper had battled the disease for many years and unfortunately had to contend with two forms of cancer. She was finally cleared of lung cancer in 2009, only to be diagnosed with brain cancer a few years later in 2013. However, Harper seemed to come from a very loving family and they were by her side throughout everything. Her husband of 40 years, Tony Cacciotti, passed along a message to his wife that their daughter Cristina shared on Twitter.

Valerie Harper will remain in the hearts of so many, in the iconic television characters she portrayed, and in the laughter and joy she brought to those close to her and to audiences across the country.

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer's big job before joining Dancing With the Stars Season 28 was answering (or dodging) tough questions and trying to find a positive spin on controversies. So this whole to-do about his inclusion in the 2019 cast is right in his wheelhouse.

The Dancing With the Stars cast was just revealed on Wednesday, and host Tom Bergeron reacted to Sean Spicer's inclusion without mentioning him by name. Bergeron said he had told the new executive producer he was hoping the show could return after its one-year absence as a "joyful respite" away from the current exhausting political climate, with no stars with any party affiliations.

Well, Sean Spicer's casting, and Tom Bergeron's reaction, only served to widen the current political divides. Spicer addressed Bergeron's statement during an appearance on Fox News:

Sure, but Sean Spicer was only cast on Dancing With the Stars because he's a "star" through his very public role in politics. There's no way to have a politics-free conversation about that. Instead, everyone already seems to be entrenched on their side, lobbing ammunition at The Other Side.

Sean Spicer isn't the first political figure to be on Dancing With the Stars, and every previous time a political figure showed up it was also divisive -- and, perhaps more to the point, they were usually lousy dancers!

I remember when painfully stiff House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was on DWTS in Season 9, got injured, and withdrew after three weeks. If you're going to send us political figures as obvious controversy bait, at least let them be decent dancers. Fox News talk show host Tucker Carlson was cast in Season 3 and was the first contestant eliminated. Bristol Palin was also cast from a political slant, since she was only famous at the time through her mother, former governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Bristol was stiff on the floor too, but her supporters got her to the finals of Season 11 and she returned for All-Stars Season 15.

We'll have to wait and see how Sean Spicer does. Will he be the first celeb eliminated, or will his supporters vote for him to continue?

In case you missed it, here's the full cast for Dancing With the Stars Season 28:

Each celeb's professional dance partner will be revealed on the premiere. But we do know the pros who will be dancing this season:

Dancing With the Stars Season 28 premieres Monday, September 16 at 8 p.m. on ABC, and we know to expect some format changes (but hopefully good ones). DWTS is one of the many fall 2019 shows to keep an eye on through our handy guide.

For the first time in nearly a year, ABC's Dancing with the Stars hit Good Morning America to reveal all of its celebrities and pro dancers who are heading to Season 28 in September. While many were expecting The Bachelorette's Hannah Brown to join the slightly different format, there were several surprises in the group, such as former White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

While the announcements made on Good Morning America went off without too many alarm bells ringing, things were a lot different on social media, where Sean Spicer's inclusion was met with confusion and disbelief. Shockingly, Dancing with the Stars co-host Tom Bergeron announced on his Twitter page his own disagreement with the choice to bring Spicer into Season 28, though without using specific names. Here's how Bergeron put it:

After spending so many years smiling up a storm on Dancing with the Stars, and formerly on America's Funniest Home Videos, Tom Bergeron seems like a super-affable and endlessly non-confrontational person. Never would I have expected him to take to social media to speak out against the show and its contestants in any way.

As it was made fairly firmly clear in his Twitter post, though, Tom Bergeron did indeed have some strong initial feelings about the kinds of celebrities Dancing with the Stars invited to compete. His ideal scenario would have been having all 12 celebrities coming from walks of life that steered wide of political subject matter, or likely any other personalities that would have sparked polarization within the viewership.

Instead of sticking with that reported plan, Dancing with the Stars' producers chose to recruit one of the most controversial former members of Donald Trump's administration. Serving as the White House's Press Secretary and later Communications Director during the months of January through July 2017, Spicer was accused various times of lying and/or being wrong during press conferences. He eventually resigned on July 21, and was replaced by the equally headline-friendly Anthony Scaramucci.

Having been portrayed multiple times on SNL by Melissa McCarthy, Sean Spicer returned to the public eye for a divisive appearance on the Stephen Colbert-hosted Emmy Awards in 2017. Since, he's kept mostly to himself, although he still pops up every so often to talk about making a return to the zeitgeist.

Spicer's White House moments aren't the kinds of memories that Tom Bergeron is wanting viewers to think about while watching Dancing with the Stars, of course. In his post, Bergeron continued speaking his mind by sharing what his own P.O.V. is during each episode.

Not that Tom Bergeron was the only one out there disappointed with ABC and Dancing with the Stars' decision to bring Sean Spicer into the mix. Twitter is currently lit up with posts from users declaring they won't be watching the new season if Spicer is allowed to remain a contestant.

Tom Bergeron himself had previously clued fans in on some big changes that were coming to Dancing with the Stars' new season, based on last season's backlash over several fan-favorite contestant pairings being eliminated, with Bobby Bones and Sharna Burgess winning out despite not doing nearly as well as their competition. Bringing in political figures likely wasn't part of the changes Bergeron was talking about, though.

2019 Fall TV Premiere Schedule: Dates For New And Returning Shows

Will ABC back down and replace Sean Spicer after the backlash surrounding his involvement, or is the studio thinking that all publicity is good publicity for the new season of Dancing with the Stars? We'll have to wait and see, but considering the show's premiere on ABC is on Monday, September 16, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Dancing With the Stars has been listening to the fans, and we should expect some changes in the Fall 2019 Season 28. Tom Bergeron didn't actually say "voting changes," but that's what I'm reading between the lines of his latest message. First, the DWTS host started with this general update on what's ahead this fall:

Fans replied with various questions, and Tom Bergeron addressed a few. Some viewers re-aired complaints related to last fall's Dancing With the Stars Season 27.

Not only was there shock when Juan Pablo Di Pace and Cheryl Burke were eliminated after perfect scores, there was outrage when the Fall 2018 Dancing With the Stars gave its win to Bobby Bones and Sharna Burgess, despite the pair having the lowest scores of the finale.

One Dancing With the Stars fan responded with support for Bobby Bones and the fact that fan votes got him the win. Tom Bergeron's response is what got me thinking we could see some changes ahead on that front:

"At that time." Does that mean the voting rules will change moving forward in Dancing With the Stars Season 28? I may just be reading into that. Some fans do love how the fans have the power to save favorite dancers rather than the "best" dancer. However, recent results seem to skew more toward popularity (Joe & Jenna, anyone?) than high-scoring dances. Should something change there or not? It's not like fans always trust the judges to get it right either.

Dancing With the Stars has always had a mix of older and younger contestants, including some naturally agile and rhythmic dancers and also people with two left feet. I've been entertained by the great dancers and I've rooted for underdogs. If people really wanted all athletic contestants, they had that option with the Spring 2018 Athletes season, which wasn't exactly a hit. (It also showed that not all athletes are good dancers.)

I like the mix of talents, although I completely understand the frustrations of Dancing With the Stars Season 27 -- especially Milo & Witney, Evanna & Keo, Alexis & Alan and their fans. Fans vote for any number of reasons, sometimes it's more about the pro than the celebrity. Sharna had never won before, and that was a factor last year.

ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke recently teased some "fun format changes" ahead for Dancing With the Stars 2019. We didn't get a spring season this year, which Tom Bergeron previously warned us about. However, taking that time away may help DWTS cast some bigger stars -- the very best of two seasons vs. splitting them across both spring and fall. We'll see how that turns out.

It sounds like Dancing With the Stars is putting a lot of thought into the Fall 2019 season, and we should hear a lot more about it toward the end of the summer. Maybe they'll even tease out some of the bigger names cast ahead of time to build interest.

One big question is which pros will return? Both Derek Hough and Julianne Hough are now judging other shows on NBC. He's on World of Dance and she's a new judge on America's Got Talent. The old guard seems to be moving on. We'll have to wait and see if more veterans return after a year away, or if fresh faces arrive.

Dancing With the Stars Season 28 premieres this fall on ABC.

After a controversial season finale, ABC's reality competition Dancing with the Stars may be dancing away from the spotlight for a while. News of a potential hiatus came by way of one of the show's hosts, Tom Bergeron. When a fan expressed hopes for Dancing with the Stars to return in the spring, Bergeron responded, saying:

The possibility of Dancing with the Stars not returning for a spring season is a huge deal. The reality competition has had a consistent presence on both ABC's fall and midseason schedules for well over a decade. It may not have been the first unscripted series to pull that off, but it certainly helped to popularize it, with NBC's The Voice and others also utilizing the twice-a-year strategy.

Dancing with the Stars premiered in the summer of 2005 and returned the following January. Following its second season in 2006, the show has consecutively aired both spring and fall seasons. Hence, its number of cycles comes out to a little more than twice the number of years it has actually been on the air.

Beyond the spring delay noted in Tom Bergeron's Instagram response, things possibly get even more troubling for Dancing with the Stars' future. Not to borrow trouble, but he says, "hopefully in the fall." That wording could be a sign that even a Fall 2019 season may not be a done deal. All of this inspires the question: Why would ABC be wavering on the series' return?

Maybe the network is not eyeing a spring or even fall return for the popular dance fest for a reason. ABC and show producers could potentially choose to rework the series as a summer event. That would see the popular series going back to what initially worked for it at the beginning of its run.

Dancing with the Stars broke out as a summer event series in those early days. After only finding so much success, though, the move was made to make it a bi-annual primetime entry, ultimately welcoming numerous stars from all walks of life to compete on the series.

There is another possibility for the potential scheduling shake-up as well. Perhaps, ABC is taking a step back to reassess things following negative fan reactions to Season 27's controversial finale, as well as the voting process in general. The highly criticized season-ender saw the mirror ball trophy given to a shocking winner.

Even before the finale, Dancing with the Stars had already shocked viewers with a jaw-dropping elimination. The penultimate episode saw seeming front-runner Juan Pablo Di Pace eliminated before the finale. Di Pace ended the competition just shy of the final four. Throughout it all, viewer outcry has been swift and relentless.

Tom Bergeron doesn't look too worried in his post, though.

Looking far ahead, Dancing with the Stars may not even have a spot set for itself in the spring. ABC has that another reality competition theoretically ready to roll in American Idol. The former Fox series was revived by ABC this past spring and has been renewed for a seventeenth season, which is expected to debut in early 2019, so Dancing with the Stars' spring spot could be its premiere slot.

There is a Dancing with the Stars connection to American Idol. Season 27's winner, Bobby Bones, announced earlier in the season that he would be a full-time in-house mentor on American Idol's second ABC season. So, while you may not be seeing Dancing with the Stars in the spring, you may be seeing its latest winner.

Whenever Dancing with the Stars returns, it will be on ABC, so stay tuned for more updates. While that show's fall run is over, new content is still arriving throughout this fall and the upcoming midseason.

If you're an American, then chances are that you've probably watched (and loved) America's Funniest Home Videos at some point in your life. However, it's not just the videos the sold the charm of the series; it was also the color commentary provided by the show's hosts. One of the most beloved hosts in the series' history was Tom Bergeron, whose voiceover work fell squarely into the wholly loveable "dad joke" category of humor, but now it seems that we finally know how the beloved host really felt about all of those puns and dorky jokes that we all grew up with.

Tom Bergeron came out and finally told everybody what he thought of all those jokes during a recent Reddit AMA session, and although Bergeron absolutely sold the humor of his puns with gusto during his tenure as the host of AFV, the jokes weren't necessarily his cup of tea. Anyone who has ever seen the show will remember that much of the AFV humor was aimed at children and squeaky clean adults, which means that the jokes mostly needed to be sanitized and suitable for everyone. Bergeron doesn't seem to mind too much though. Like he said, they paid him very well.

However, the fact that the humor on most episodes of AFV was aimed at children does not mean it always failed to get a laugh out of him. Elsewhere in the AMA session, Tom Bergeron would go on to admit that one particular segment involving some cat censorship totally worked for him:

In all fairness, who doesn't love a montage of cats? This leads me to believe that Tom Bergeron has a much dirtier sense of humor than his hosting persona would indicate. (Former host Bob Saget was well-known for being a filthy stand-up comedian, and he also had Full House going on at the same time.) Check out the video below to take a closer look into the world of America's Funniest Home Videos and see how Bergeron conducted his voiceovers -- complete with all of the cheesy puns you could ever hope for:

Although Tom Bergeron may no longer be the host of the long-running America's Funniest Home Videos, we love the fact that he still more or less looks back fondly on the experience of hosting the iconic series -- and of course that he was well-compensated for his wonderfully lame jokes. In an era before YouTube exponentially increased the ubiquity of cat videos and people getting blasted in the crotch, it was AFV and Bergeron who gave us all of the dumb humor we could ever want, and that's not a bad thing.

America's Funniest Home Videos has been an ABC staple for years. Over time, the show has changed out its hosts on several occasions, and in 2015 Tom Bergeron stepped down as the host of the viral video TV series and Alfonso Ribeiro signed on to lead the series in his place. Although Tom Bergeron is still an ABC personality, he recently made some candid comments about his time on America's Funniest Home Videos during an AMA. When asked why sometimes the funniest videos don't actually become finalists, Bergeron gave both a shocking and candid answer. Here's what he had to say about which videos are chosen to be finalists:

Alright, so re-airing a video might seem sketch, but considering that America's Funniest Home Videos often airs types of footage based on themes, it's not a huge shock that the show might need to repeat videos occasionally to fill gaps. However, what is a little more unbelievable is that the show picks out the finalists based on who can actually make it to a taping. I get that people have busy lives, but if Oscar winners can have someone else accept their award, you would think America's Funniest Home Videos would be able to extend the same sort of courtesy.

Instead, the series often picks finalists based on who is around and willing to attend a taping of America's Funniest Home Videos. I guess I never really thought about the nuances of taping an episode of AFV, but this wouldn't be the first time that an unscripted series took some flack for being a little bit unrealistic. Tom Bergeron is no longer with the long-running series, so it's hard to tell if this is still how the viral video series picks its winners now that Alfonso Ribeiro has taken over, but if something isn't broken, you certainly don't fix it. We're just going to just go ahead and assume the show still works on this sort of "TV magic" today.

So, if you see a really funny video on America's Funniest Home Videos and you can't for the life of you understand why another, much sillier video was called out as a finalist, we're here to say: it's not your sense of humor. It's more likely that someone from the truly funny video couldn't hop on a plane to attend a taping of the show. Whew, we feel a lot better now. You can check out more interesting comments like these in the recent Tom Bergeron Reddit AMA.

America's Funniest Home Videos is currently on hiatus, but is set to return with the rest of your favorite TV programs this fall. It's currently set to premiere on October 2 at 7 p.m. ET. In addition, you can find out when the rest of fall TV will be premiering with our full schedule.

Over the past decade, one of the few constants of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars has been host Tom Bergeron. As the face of the popular dancing reality series for the past twenty-one seasons, Bergeron has guided viewers through the dancing talents of celebrities large and small as they compete for the top prize. Unfortunately, Bergeron announced last night that he’ll be missing tonight’s episode of Dancing to spend time with his ailing father.

Dancing with the Stars first hit the airwaves in 2005 as an American version of a similar British series. Each season sees celebrity contestants paired with professional dancers to compete for the favor of the judges and the audience alike.

There has been a wide variety of celebrities, judges, and even co-hosts over the years, but lead host Tom Bergeron has been the presence to count upon each season. Guiding viewers through the dances from contestants famous and unfamiliar, it’s difficult to imagine Dancing without him. Now in the fourth week of its twenty-first season, Bergeron’s understandable absence may come as a disappointment to longtime funs.

Fortunately, his space as host will be temporarily filled with a familiar face for Dancing viewers. Reports indicate that Alfonso Ribeiro will be making a return to Dancing with the Stars. Although this will be his second appearance in Season 21 after a stint as guest judge in the third episode, he made a name for himself on the reality dance scene with his appearance in Season 19, from which he ultimately emerged as the champion.

Ribeiro’s victory came as no surprise to anybody who watched his progress throughout his stint on the show or immediately recalled the “Carlton” dance from his days on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Still, he showed considerable skill to prove that he was worth more than a goofy iconic dance from a 90s tv show, and he earned his victory with partner Witney Carson. Ribeiro should be far better than just a stunt replacement in Bergeron’s absence.

For now, we can think hopeful thoughts for Tom Bergeron and his family, enjoy Alfonso Ribeiro as temporary host, and spend the next several hours trying to get “In West Philadelphia, born and raised…” out of our heads.

Dancing with the Stars airs on Mondays at 8PM on ABC.

When it comes to TV series that will seemingly never end, the name that rises near the top of the list is America’s Funniest Home Videos, a show that has actually become more relevant than ever in this era of hilarious viral videos. But its hosts don’t last forever, and Sunday night’s Season 25 finale was the last outing for Tom Bergeron, who was joined by familiar face Bob Saget, who hosted the show for the first 8 seasons. Check out their scene together below.

It’s hard to think of a better way for America’s Funniest Home Videos to say goodbye to Bergeron, or vice versa. Following his teary-eyed exit from the confetti-filled stage at Disneyland, he hops into a cart with Saget, the man who first introduced the world to endless “kick to the crotch” videos, complete with high-pitched voiceovers. Jokes about dangerous trampolines and sleeping cats falling off of TVs don’t normally serve as awesome send-off jokes, but they were nothing short of perfect here, and the laugh shared between the two appeared as genuine as any of the chuckles that the show has provoked over the years.

Tom Bergeron joined America’s Funniest Home Videos in 2001, following the temporary cancellation that followed Daisy Fuentes and John Fugelsang’s brief tenure as co-hosts. (Wonder why nobody asked them to come back for this send-off scene…) His episode run kept the show quite popular, though not as highly rated as it was in the earliest years before Sunday nights became a lucrative place to air prestige dramas. Bergeron’s years gave us segments like “Tom’s Home Movies,” “AFV Dictionary,” “What’s Behind the Blue Blob?” and more. He also ushered the show into the digital age, with the episode-ending tagline “If you get it on tape, you could get it in cash,” changing to “Upload to us. Get rich, get famous,” in later seasons.

Fans of the show shouldn’t worry, though. ABC confirmed last week that America’s Funniest Home Videos would be coming back to Sunday nights this fall, though they have yet to find a new host. I can already imagine Mario Lopez’s name being on the list of potential candidates, and maybe even Saget’s Full House co-star Dave Coulier, who hosted the inferior video show America’s Funniest People back in the day.

And if you need your weekly dose of Tom Bergeron, you can still find him on Dancing with the Stars, which will return to ABC on Mondays this fall.