With casting that has already sparked controversy, and many changes to the venerable show, Dancing With The Stars is set to launch the fall 2020 season on September 14.
In previous years, many star celebrities have surprised viewers with their dancing skills, while others have unexpectedly tanked. That’s part of the show’s appeal – dazzling professional dancers, with non-dance celebs standing in for the rest of us.
DWTS dancing pro-Derek Hough didn't seem to mind the time off, but most fans are eagerly waiting for the next season to begin after such a long wait.
What's new this time around?
Casting Bombshell – Tiger King's Carole Baskin
Former NBA star Charles Oakley, rapper Nelly of Hot in Herre fame, and Chrishell Stause of Selling Sunset will be taking part in DWTS 29, among others. But, when the cast announcement was made on Good Morning America, it was just one name that immediately hit the headlines – Carole Baskin, the woman who now owns the Tiger King’s zoo.
Social media immediately erupted in a furor over the casting because of persistent rumors that Baskin was involved with the disappearance and presumed death of her former husband. It’s one of the main storylines that had reality TV fans riveted when Tiger King was released on Netflix.
According to TMZ, Carole has been preparing for her time on the show by watching YouTube videos, along with signing up for a virtual training app.
AJ McLean of Backstreet Boys fame will be joining the dancers this season, along with actress Anne Heche, and Kaitlyn Bristowe (The Bachelor). Also appearing this season will be Monica Aldama (Netflix’s Cheer), actress Skai Jackson, Justina Machado (One Day at a Time), Jeannie Mai (The Real), Nev Schulman (Catfish), Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir and Super Bowl champion Vernon Davis.
New And Returning Faces In Front And Behind The Camera
One of the biggest changes both in front and behind the camera sees Tyra Banks, former host of America's Next Top Model, take over as show host and executive producer. She's replacing long time host Tom Bergeron.
According to a statement quoted by Newsbreak, network ABC was looking for a "creative refresh", and found it in the glamorous former top model.
Former co-host Erin Andrews also left the show in the sweep of changes that brought Tyra Banks to its helm. She is quoted in People as saying that her exit from the show "was a surprise".
The list of professional dancers this season features both returning faves and new faces, and includes Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten, Sharna Burgess, Cheryl Burke, Artem Chigvintsev, Val Chmerkovskiy, Sasha Farber, Jenna Johnson, Daniella Karagach, Keo Motsepe, Peta Murgatroyd, Pasha Pashkov, Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater and Britt Stewart.
Britt Stewart represents a first for DWTS – the reality TV show’s first Black female dance pro.
Three married couples – who will be competing against each other – are on the list: Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson, Emma Slater and Sasha Farber, and Pasha Pashkov and Daniella Karagach.
When it comes to the judges, Tyra Banks recently spoke to ETOnline.
“Carrie Ann [Inaba] is definitely back, and Bruno [Tonioli], who I can’t wait to vibe with because he is just as crazy as I am,” Banks told Entertainment Tonight. “At the moment, we’re trying to figure out how to incorporate Len Goodman because he is in England, and there’s all these travel restrictions because of COVID-19. So we’re trying to figure that out.”
Former dance pro-Derek Hough is returning in a role that has yet to be explained. Some fans hope he’ll be sitting on the judge’s side. Banks was coy about his role in the ET interview. “I am very excited about that because I know Derek and he’s fun,” she said. “But you just gonna have to wait and see how he’s coming back.”
New Precautions For The New Normal
Dancing and social distancing don’t seem to go together very well. According to former DWTS dance pro Lindsay Arnold, who spoke to Good Housekeeping magazine, the show's producers have made a slew of adjustments to keep the stars and dancers safe.
To begin with, the show is likely to air without a live audience, although that may be evaluated later depending on whether conditions change. Backstage, there will be no more hanging out and chilling with fellow contestants or dance pros. Contestants will be kept apart as much as possible.
Perhaps most disruptive, the show's producers have asked the three married couples who will be dancing and competing against each other as pros to quarantine and stay in a bubble separate from their spouses. It avoids the risk of cross-contagion.
Dancing With The Stars 29 begins airing on September 14 on ABC.
