Tom Bergeron explains why he returned to DWTS | TV Shows

Tom Bergeron returned to Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday night time, 5 years after he was fired, to have a good time the truth dancing competitors collection’ twentieth anniversary.

The 70-year-old tv character hosted the first 28 seasons, from 2005 to 2020, and was let go after clashing with showrunners over the casting of Donald Trump‘s former White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, in Season 28.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Tom explained why he returned to the show after his stunning firing and spoke about whether or not he would ever return to the beloved celeb ballroom dancing competitors, which achieved its highest rankings in over eight years during Season 34.

After Tom’s exit from the show in 2020, Tyra Banks took over as host and served as govt producer for three seasons, until 2022, when rankings started to tank. Dancing with the Stars is now hosted by Fresh Prince of Bel Air star Alfonso Ribeiro and skilled dancer and two-time winner Julianne Hough.

Tom’s look on the anniversary particular was met with roaring applause from the viewers, and Julianna held back tears as she welcomed him back to the show for the first time in 5 years.

Tom was reportedly canned after talking out against casting political figures, both conservative and liberal, to compete on the show, as he felt that the show needs to be a protected space of escapism from the turmoil of America’s political panorama.

“It pissed me off. I’ll be honest with you,” he admitted. “I did not like the showrunner. He knew that. I didn’t like being lied to, and he did that. So, when he got fired, I think it was when Twitter was still a thing, I posted, ‘Karma is a b—h.’ So I couldn’t be happier that the people who are running the show now are running the show. But to be honest, the 20th anniversary, in other people’s hands, would not have lured me back.”

He went on to say, “If the previous regime was still in charge of the show, I wouldn’t go back.” Tom explained that govt producer Conrad Green, who began during the show’s inaugural season and returned for Season 33, was the one to “extend an olive branch.”

DON’T MISS

Tom Bergeron begs DWTS producers to ‘bring back’ standard relic from show’s past

DWTS viewers model Prince William’s shock cameo a ‘jumpscare’

DWTS twentieth birthday particular sees spectacular stars return to the dance flooring

When requested if he would ever return to the show to host, he replied with a snigger, “No, I’m done. I’m done.”

Tom continued, “I have no desire to host anymore. I’m always open to being surprised, but it would not be that show, because they have great people doing it. But honestly, to go back as a guest judge, I’m just thrilled about. But no, I would never host it again.”

The twentieth anniversary particular also introduced back a number of celeb alums who returned to the dance flooring, including former champions and fan favorites like Joey Graziadei, Rumer Willis, Xochitl Gomez, Apolo Anton Ohno, Kaitlyn Bristowe, and Rashad Jennings. Many other former contestants, skilled dancers, and judges returned, ncluding Derek Hough, Karina Smirnoff, and Mark Ballas, among others.

New episodes of Dancing With the Stars Season 34 air and stream on ABC and Disney every Tuesday at 8 PM EST, and stream the next day on Hulu.