Tom Bergeron recalls the divisive casting of Sean Spicer on Dancing with the Stars and how it led to his firing
Former Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron recently reflected on the chain of events that preceded his abrupt departure from the show before the 2020 season. In a candid conversation with former DWTS pro Cheryl Burke on her podcast Sex, Lies and Spray Tans, Bergeron described a disagreement with producers over the casting of a controversial political figure for Season 28 and how that breach of trust ultimately changed his relationship with the program he had co-hosted since 2005.
Bergeron said that, during planning meetings for the 2019 season, he asked executives not to cast politicians or other overtly political figures from either party. With the country polarized and political tensions high, he felt strongly that Dancing with the Stars should remain a neutral, joyful escape for viewers rather than another arena for political confrontation. He recalled that producers initially agreed with that approach.
However, according to Bergeron, he later received a phone call from the showrunner at the time, Andrew Llinares, and another producer who were reviewing the roster of celebrities set to compete. To his surprise, the final name on the list was former White House press secretary Sean Spicer. Bergeron said he reacted immediately, reminding them, “Guys, this is exactly what we said we wouldn’t do. Don’t go there.” He argued that the show should play to its strengths and offer viewers a respite from the constant political noise.
Guys, this is exactly what we said we wouldn’t do. Don’t go there
Bergeron recalled the exchange in detail: the showrunner prefaced the reveal by telling him to sit down, and when Bergeron asked why, they named Spicer. He reiterated that he believed the casting choice was a misstep given the timing and the divisive climate. Bergeron said the producers ultimately refused to reconsider their decision.
When he protested, Bergeron offered to step away from the season. The producers responded by telling him he could be released from his contract if he wanted to leave. That reaction, he said, deeply angered him. “That’s how strongly they felt,” Bergeron told Burke, and he added that their stance “really pissed me off.”
“They f*****g lied to me”
Feeling betrayed by the reversal, Bergeron said he initially tried to remain neutral, describing himself as attempting to play “Switzerland.” But as frustration mounted, he decided to go public. He posted a statement on Twitter (now X) to inform fans that he had been misled by producers. In that statement he said he had hoped Season 28 would be “a joyful respite from our exhausting political climate” and free from divisive bookings tied to party affiliations, and that a decision had been made by producers to “go in a different direction.”
Bergeron emphasized that his message did not name any individual or political party. He explained that the post simply conveyed that he had been told certain assurances and that those assurances were later broken. He said he acknowledged producers had the right to cast whomever they wished, but he wanted viewers to understand his perspective and why he felt disappointed.
“They had screwed me. I’m gonna screw them”
When asked if producers were warned about his public statement in advance, Bergeron said they were not, explaining, “They didn’t deserve to know.” He admitted his post was retaliatory in tone, a response to what he felt was a serious breach of trust: “They had screwed me. I’m gonna screw them,” he told Burke, stressing that his objection would have been the same regardless of party affiliation.
“This is probably my last season because of that one betrayal”
Despite the dispute, Bergeron stayed on for Season 28, but he said he believed the betrayal marked a turning point. He told Burke he suspected it might be his final season on the show because the dynamic behind the scenes had changed. Indeed, in the following season Bergeron and co-host Erin Andrews were replaced; Tyra Banks stepped in as host and served as an executive producer for her time on the series.
Bergeron also reflected on how the decision to cast Spicer affected the show’s atmosphere and public reaction. Spicer’s participation drew strong responses from different corners of the political spectrum, and Bergeron described the controversy as predictable given the political profile involved. He noted that Spicer remained in the competition through the Top 6, despite polarized public sentiment and criticism of the choice.
Bergeron’s account highlights the tensions that can arise when entertainment programming intersects with high-profile political figures. His experience serves as a reminder of the delicate balance producers must weigh between casting choices, audience expectations, and the trust of long-standing talent. For Bergeron, what began as a request for a neutral, feel-good season became a catalyst for a public rift that changed his role on the show he had helmed for years.