‘DWTS’ Judge, Tom Bergeron Was Fired From Show Over Politics 5 Years Ago? Called It A ‘Betrayal’

Tom Bergeron was once synonymous with the fan-favourite reality show, Dancing with the Stars. Since his exit as host in 2020, many have taken over his responsibilities, but no one has ever been able to truly take his place. Now, Tom has returned to the show’s 34th season as a guest judge this week. Amid his appearance, people are curious to know why he was dropped as the host after DWTS season 28. Here’s the reason why Tom Bergeron was fired from Dancing with the Stars. 

Tom Bergeron was fired from DWTS over politics? 

Tom Bergeron had hosted Dancing with the Stars from its first season in 2005 to season 28 in 2019. The host was asked his opinion by a showmaker and the showmaker’s boss, both of whom have never been named by him, about the direction the series should take in the summer of 2019. Since the show would be broadcast right before the 2020 presidential elections, he had asked them to stay away from politicians. Tom had advised them that they should be people’s respite for two hours from the politics happening around them. 

However, when President Donald Trump‘s former press secretary, Sean Pricer, was booked as a contestant for season 28, Tom felt that he had been betrayed. In an earlier Bob Saget podcast as well, Tom had stated that he didn’t think the DWTS floor was a place for any political figure. To express his frustration, Tom had taken to his then-Twitter account and revealed the behind-the-scenes conversations with the channel chief. After which, he was promptly fired from the show:

“A few months ago, during a lunch with DWTS’ new Executive Producer, I offered suggestions for Season 28. Chief among them was my hope that DWTS, in its return following an unprecedented year-long hiatus, would be a joyful respite from our exhausting political climate and free of inevitably divisive bookings from ANY party affiliations. I left that lunch convinced we were in agreement. Subsequently (and rather obviously), a decision was made to, as we often in Hollywood, ‘go in a different direction.'”

Why is Tom Bergeron returning to Dancing with the Stars 20th anniversary episode despite being fired before?

In an interview with Tom Bergeron explained why he decided to make his comeback to the show. When asked if he was returning to commemorate DWTS‘ 20th anniversary, the former host denied this. Instead, Tom said a major reason he was returning as a guest judge was that Conrad Green had also returned as a showrunner. For the unversed, Conrad Green was the showrunner in the initial seasons but had left mid-way. Tom shared that Conrad had extended an olive branch towards him, and he had taken it. Tom stated:

“When Conrad Green came back as the showrunner — he had been my first showrunner back in 2005, and he came back on board when, I think it’s fair to say, the show was having a little bit of a rickety period. He kind of put everything back together again, Humpty Dumpty-style, and he started extending an olive branch to me.”

What are your thoughts on Tom Bergeron being fired from DWTS over politics? 

Also Read: ‘DWTS’ Judge, Cheryl Burke’s Before And After Pic Surfaces, Has Denied Using Ozempic And Surgery