Former Dancing With the Stars host Tom Bergeron returned to the ballroom on Tuesday as a particular visitor choose for the present’s twentieth anniversary celebration, marking his first look since his departure in 2020 over artistic variations with the producers.
At first of the present, Bergeron welcomed the viewers to the present earlier than being joined by present co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough.
Hough then introduced to the viewers that Bergeron would function the night’s “honorary visitor choose.” As she welcomed her longtime good friend again to the stage, she teared up and leaned on him for assist.
“Hello sweetheart, I’m thrilled to be right here—what a rush,” Bergeron advised Hough.
Their friendship spans almost twenty years. Julianne was a professional dancer from seasons 4 via 8, whereas Tom hosted the present from seasons 1 via 29, from 2005 to 2020. Hough turned a number in 2023.
After the relay dance, Bergeron determined to speak to the community as an alternative of the contestants. “You guys have been nice, however in my final feedback as a choose, I wish to communicate on to the community.”
Turning to the digicam, he added, “This present is setting scores information once more, so subsequent season, deliver again the outcomes present. Let the entire nation vote. Let everyone vote.” The dwell viewers responded with enthusiastic cheers.
Bergeron is referring to the previous two-episode format of DWTS. Up to now, the performances can be held on one night time, the place viewers might vote for his or her favorites. The following night time, a outcomes episode would reveal the eradicated couple.
DWTS put an finish to the outcomes present in 2013 and adjusted the format to a single, two-hour episode every week. Now, the eliminations are included on the finish of the weekly present.
Bergeron not too long ago spoke to The Hollywood Reporter in regards to the voting concern saying, “I all the time mourned the lack of that Tuesday present. I assumed it made the voting extra honest throughout the nation, as a result of the West Coast can’t vote now except they’re watching on wherever the hell you’d watch it streamed dwell. The outcomes present was nice—it was like a range present with an elimination on the finish. I believe the scores now would actually communicate to it being time to deliver that again.”
Reflecting on his departure from the present, he advised the late Bob Saget’s podcast in 2021, “In all candor, the present that I left was not the present that I beloved. So on the finish of the season that turned out to be my final season, I form of knew. I took every little thing out of my dressing room that I actually wished… It was form of apparent that we have been form of butting heads [behind the scenes]. It wasn’t a nice [experience].”
On November 12, a day after the reunion, Bergeron posted a video on his Instagram web page thanking followers. “Generally even I’m confused. Thanks all SO a lot 🥰,” he wrote.
Within the video, he began off joking that remarkably, he wasn’t hungover from the after-party. He then bought choked up whereas thanking followers for his or her optimistic reactions to his return to the present. “I simply wished to take a second to thank all of you as a result of the social media response… thanks,” he stated.
Hough commented, “Your presence was every little thing! Love you a lot, Tom ❤️.” A fan added, “Tom! Having your voice, wit & heat there final night time meant EVERYTHING to all of us followers. Joyful tears have been shed! Really felt such as you by no means left. You’re the very best to ever do it! ❤️❤️❤️.”
One other chimed in, “Tom, you being there was such a second of sunshine and happiness. We miss you on DWTS! Your wit, class, and empathetic strategy have been such an unimaginable match. All of the feels! Thanks for coming again!”
