Tom Bergeron, the original host of Dancing With the Stars, will make a one-night return to the ABC reality series as a guest judge. The appearance celebrates the show's 20th anniversary during a special episode airing November 11. Bergeron joins regular judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli.
Return Details
Tom Bergeron is set to guest judge on Dancing With the Stars for the "20th Birthday Party" episode, which airs Tuesday, November 11 at 8/7c on ABC. This marks his first return to the ballroom competition since his departure in 2020, though not as host but as a judge alongside the panel of Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli.
Bergeron credits executive producer Conrad Green for facilitating his comeback. "I have to give all credit to Conrad Green, who was my first showrunner back when we premiered in 2005," Bergeron told TV Insider. "I'm happy to say he's back in that role currently, and boy has he righted that ship. I mean, wow. The numbers, I texted [executive producer] Deena Katz and I said, 'I'm particularly enjoying watching the show beat 'The Voice.'"
He described his judging style as "somewhat loose and unpredictable," similar to his hosting approach. Green, who returned as showrunner for Season 31—the show's first exclusive Disney+ season—has helped restore the series' success.
Background on Bergeron's Exit
Bergeron hosted Dancing With the Stars for 15 seasons until 2020, when he was let go amid reported tensions. In a 2023 interview on Cheryl Burke's podcast, he stated he would "never" return, citing changes in the show and broader world. A key issue was the Season 28 casting of Sean Spicer, Donald Trump's former White House press secretary, ahead of the 2020 election.
"I said, 'Guys... don't go there,'" Bergeron recalled. "'This is not the right time, play to our strengths, be the show that gives people a break from all this bulls–t.'" He publicly expressed disappointment, viewing it as a betrayal that signaled the end of his tenure. Despite past friction, Bergeron noted recent outreach from Green has mended relations, leading to this guest spot.