Television July 16, 2020
Will the Original ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Judging Panel Be Back for Season 29? Carrie Ann Inaba Answers!
ABC Television
“Dancing with the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba is opening up about her future with the show.
Inaba has been on the show since its 2005 debut, the same amount of time as former host Tom Bergeron. Will she be back for the upcoming season with fellow judges Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman?
In an upcoming episode of “The Talk,” airing July 21, Inaba revealed, “As of now, that is the plan. I just want everybody to know Len, Bruno, and I, that is the plan that we're coming back. But they're going make the official announcement in a few weeks.”
Carrie continued, “They're just going to keep letting us know all the details. I don't want people to worry. It seems like everything is OK.”
As for her reaction to Tom and Erin Andrews' exit from the hit show, Carrie commented, “I feel like it was just such sudden news. My heart breaks for Tom and Erin. I cried when I heard the news, as well as, I think, a lot of our fans did.”
Though she has to say goodbye to Tom and Erin, Carrie had wonderful things to say about new host Tyra Banks, who is also serving as executive producer. She raved, “All the energy she has. She's like a visionary, she's a strong, powerful woman… I think we're in good hands. It's different. The fans are going to have to get used to it, I understand that, but I think we should welcome her.”
Earlier this week, “Extra's” Billy Bush spoke with Samantha Harris, who co-hosted the show with Tom for eight seasons. She reacted to the news, saying, “Well, you know, first of all, Tom is sort of a fixture on that show for 28 seasons. He is the glue that has held that show together… So it had to be blindsiding and devastating.”
Harris added, “But at the same time, you know, they have to change it up. They've got to keep it fresh, from a producer standpoint. They've got to get the eyeballs glued.”
Samantha was confident with Banks taking the reins. She said, “[Tyra]'s going to bring it… She knows how to host a show, she knows how to bring fresh viewers… She has her own built-in audience, and she's also donning that executive producer hat, which I'm sure was a stipulation to come on as host. Tyra doesn't do anything partway.”
