Tom Bergeron Returns to ‘Dancing With the Stars’ and Stands by the 2020 Stance

Lead

Tom Bergeron returns to Dancing With the Stars as a guest judge for the show’s 20th‑anniversary episode, five years after his 2020 dismissal. The comeback was confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter ahead of Tuesday night’s broadcast. Bergeron says he holds no regret for the actions that contributed to his exit and reiterated his long‑standing view that the program should steer clear of active political figures. His appearance revives a dispute that at the time centered on the casting of a former White House official.

Key Takeaways

• Bergeron hosted DWTS from 2005 to 2019, a 14‑season run that made him the show’s most familiar emcee.
• He was removed from the series in 2020 after publicly objecting to the casting of a former White House press secretary.
• The guest‑judge spot is for the program’s 20th anniversary; the return occurs roughly five years after his firing.
• Bergeron has consistently argued that the show should remain nonpolitical and provide a respite from national tensions.
• He told The Hollywood Reporter he would have objected to any sitting or recent major political officeholder being placed on the cast, regardless of party.

Background

Dancing With the Stars launched in 2005 and, across two decades, mixed celebrity competition with mainstream entertainment. Tom Bergeron became the show’s principal host soon after its debut and remained in that role through the 2019 season, helping shape its family‑friendly, variety‑driven tone. In late 2019 and early 2020, producers drew criticism for casting choices that intersected with national politics—moves Bergeron publicly challenged.

Bergeron’s objection was framed not as opposition to any single individual but as a matter of principle: he said casting active or high‑profile political figures risks turning an entertainment program into a flashpoint. That dispute culminated in his departure in 2020. Since then, political polarization in U.S. media has intensified, making the question of mixing politics and light entertainment more sensitive for networks and talent.

Main Event

The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Bergeron will sit on the judges’ panel for the show’s 20th‑anniversary episode airing Tuesday night. Producers invited him as a guest judge, a one‑off return that places him back on the DWTS stage after a half‑decade away. Bergeron accepted the invitation while making clear he remains committed to the view that the program should avoid politicians as contestants.

Speaking to THR, Bergeron emphasized that his objections were about preserving the program’s escape value rather than targeting any political figure. He said he had warned producers that including partisan public figures would heighten tensions on a show intended as light entertainment and camaraderie among cast members. Bergeron recounted having told producers he would have been uncomfortable if the show had cast prominent partisan figures from either side.

Bergeron described the 2019 casting decision as a breach of an assurance he said he had been given—that the show would not move in a politicized direction. He characterized the casting as the last straw and said he left the role without regret. The return for the anniversary episode does not signal a new permanent hosting role but a limited reappearance under the producers’ current invitation.

Analysis & Implications

Bergeron’s return highlights an ongoing tension between entertainment programming and political visibility. For a long‑running series, the calculus of casting known political figures carries audience risk: it may draw short‑term attention while alienating viewers who seek diversion from politics. Networks must weigh ratings possibilities against the potential erosion of a show’s nonpolitical brand.

For Bergeron personally, the guest appearance allows him to reclaim a public part in the show’s history while repeating his position that DWTS should remain apolitical. That stance may resonate with viewers fatigued by constant political debate, but it also places him at odds with a media environment where producers sometimes court controversy for visibility.

On a broader level, the episode tests whether the public still prefers a clear separation between politics and prime‑time competition. If the anniversary broadcast draws strong viewership and positive response to Bergeron’s role, producers might be encouraged to avoid future overtly political casting. Conversely, if reaction centers on political controversy, networks could be tempted to repeat such casting for publicity.

Comparison & Data

The simple timeline above contextualizes Bergeron’s tenure, subsequent absence and limited return. Across these phases, the central issue has been whether the program should include figures whose primary public identity is political. The 2025 anniversary slot functions as both a ratings opportunity and a barometer for audience tolerance of political crossovers into entertainment.

Reactions & Quotes

Bergeron’s return prompted responses from fans and commentators who recalled his long association with the series and debated his decision to speak out in 2019. Media observers have framed his stance as a defense of format integrity at a time when casting choices increasingly intersect with partisan identity.

I objected to bringing active political figures into what should be two hours of escape and camaraderie, not a platform for political theater.

Tom Bergeron, in interview with The Hollywood Reporter

Some viewers on social platforms saw Bergeron’s return as a reconciliation, while others interpreted it as a symbolic reminder of past tensions over casting. Entertainment columnists noted that the anniversary broadcast gives the franchise an opportunity to remind audiences of its original entertainment focus.

The anniversary edition will show whether the show’s core audience still values a nonpolitical variety format or prefers programming that courts controversy for attention.

Entertainment commentator (analysis)

Unconfirmed

• Whether Bergeron’s appearance signals a longer negotiation or reconciliation with DWTS producers remains unconfirmed.
• It is not publicly confirmed that producers have adopted a formal policy to exclude politicians from future casts.

Bottom Line

Tom Bergeron’s guest appearance for Dancing With the Stars’ 20th anniversary is both symbolic and practical: it reunites a familiar host with a franchise he helped shape while reiterating his objection to political casting that he says cost him the job in 2020. The episode will serve as a test of audience appetite for the show’s traditional, apolitical format at a moment of heightened polarization.

For producers, the primary takeaway is pragmatic. If viewers embrace Bergeron’s return for what it is—a celebratory, nostalgia‑driven episode—the network may be encouraged to keep the series’ casting choices within entertainment spheres. If controversy predominates, DWTS and similar franchises will face renewed pressure to choose between short‑term publicity and long‑term brand stability.

Sources

• HuffPost (online news report summarizing interview and program details)
• The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade — original confirmation of guest‑judge booking)