Dancing With the Stars just wrapped up its 29th season, its first without longtime host Tom Bergeron, though fans hoping for his return shouldn’t hold their breath.
Bergeron, 65, who was inexplicably let go after hosting the season since its inception in 2005, spoke with TV Guide (via TV Insider) about the possibility of a return.
The host, whose co-host Erin Andrews was also let go, both replaced by Tyra Banks, made it clear there is no chance he’s coming back, in his first interview since leaving.
No more dancing: Dancing With the Stars just wrapped up its 29th season, its first without longtime host Tom Bergeron, though fans hoping for his return shouldn’t hold their breath
No chance: The host, whose co-host Erin Andrews was also let go, both replaced by Tyra Banks, made it clear there is no chance he’s coming back, in his first interview since leaving
‘When people say, “I’m not gonna watch until you’re back,” I say, “Well, there’s really no ‘until’ here.” This train has left the station,’ Bergeron said.
‘I appreciate the sentiment, and I don’t hold it against anybody if they [watch],’ he added.
The longtime host, who also hosted ABC’s America’s Funniest Home Videos and Hollywood Squares, thought DWTS would mark the end of his hosting days, but not like this.
Train: ‘When people say, “I’m not gonna watch until you’re back,” I say, “Well, there’s really no ‘until’ here.” This train has left the station,’ Bergeron said
‘I always thought Dancing would be where I end my hosting tenure,’ Bergeron said of his 28 seasons on the show.
When asked what the future holds, Bergeron said whatever may come next, he doesn’t think it would be in the hosting realm.
‘I’ve hosted every format imaginable. There’s no real fire in my gut to do it again. Having said that, I’m always open to surprises,’ he said.
Hosting tenure: ‘I always thought Dancing would be where I end my hosting tenure,’ Bergeron said of his 28 seasons on the show
Bergeron started his career in broadcasting as a disc jockey in New England in the 1980s and early 1990s before he moved into national TV.
He hosted Hollywood Squares from 1998 to 2004, which overlapped with his hosting duties on America’s Funniest Home Videos from 2001 to 2015.
He also dabbled in acting, with small roles in Gremlins, Star Trek Enterprise, Castle, while also recently appearing on Fox’s The Masked Singer.
Career: Bergeron started his career in broadcasting as a disc jockey in New England in the 1980s and early 1990s before he moved into national TV
Longtime host: He hosted Hollywood Squares from 1998 to 2004, which overlapped with his hosting duties on America’s Funniest Home Videos from 2001 to 2015
‘My career path looks like a hostage note cut and pasted from a bunch of different magazines,’ Bergeron joked.
‘I regarded myself as a broadcaster and was very fortunate that wonderful opportunities presented themselves. I’ve been on two network shows for the better part of 15 years each, so life’s been good,’ he added.
When asked if he was planning to write another book, after his 2009 memoir I’m Hosting As Fast As I Can,’ he joked, ‘I think the sequel should be I’m Relaxing as Slow As I Can.’
Hostage note: ‘My career path looks like a hostage note cut and pasted from a bunch of different magazines,’ Bergeron joked
Relaxing: When asked if he was planning to write another book, after his 2009 memoir I’m Hosting As Fast As I Can,’ he joked, ‘I think the sequel should be I’m Relaxing as Slow As I Can’