Dancing With The Stars Finds Unique Way To Honor Len Goodman Amid ‘Restart’

Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) will begin its new season by honoring Len Goodman after his death in April. And the dancing competition found a very special way to pay tribute to Goodman.

Find out what will change on Dancing With The Stars this season. And learn what the exec producer shared about honoring Goodman below.

DWTS Honors Len Goodman

Dancing With the Stars wanted to find a way to honor Len Goodman after his death at 78. And so DWTS renamed the highly sought Mirror Ball Trophy.

As a result, contestants on Dancing With The Stars this season will compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, executive producer Conrad Green told USA Today.

“The Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy will now be lifted on Dancing With the Stars like the Vince Lombardi trophy is lifted at the Super Bowl,” revealed Green. “We wanted to make Len a permanent part of this show, to always remind people the importance he’s had to Dancing With the Stars and how much he meant to all of us.”

And the DWTS exec producer described the show’s premiere as including a “really moving moment” featuring the renaming of the trophy. “Len loves this show and will always be there, looking down on us, added Green. “Len always had a twinkle in his eye and a brilliant turn of phrase. He was very fair and knew what he was talking about.”

https://twitter.com/officialdwts/status/1704571129644396675

DWTS Features A ‘Restart’ In 2023

In addition to renaming the trophy in Len’s honor, Dancing With The Stars will feature other changes. However, Green also shared that during the season, DWTS will offer a “look back” at Goodman’s career, complete with video tributes and performances. But he feels that all the changes suit “a season that is a bit of a restart.”

Because season 31 of DWTS streamed exclusively on Disney+ in 2022, the reference to a restart stems from a change in the three-year deal to stream only on Disney+. And instead, the dancing competition will return to ABC. It also will stream live on Disney+, becoming available for streaming the following day on Hulu.

And in another change, ABC’s last season of DWTS filmed in a studio without an audience because of COVID-19 protocols. But this season will bring back the live studio audience. And Green views that as “so important for bringing that live energy.”

DWTS Plans Guest Judges

Original judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli will return to DWTS, with professional dancer Derek Hough joining them. However, no plans exist to add a fourth judge. But Green revealed that DWTS will “occasionally bring in extra guest judges for a fresh opinion.”

And the hosts will change as well. Tyra Banks has left, with Julianne Hough as her replacement. Alfonso Ribeiro will also host, serving as the main emcee. And Green praised Julianne for her “skills and depth of knowledge, [which] will bring insight.” 

Because both hosts possess professional dance experience, the exec producer feels enthusiastic about the “really dynamic pairing that will allow them to dance in opening numbers and at other show moments. It’s all about the show’s evolution.”

The celebrity cast will include Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix and former Bachelorette Charity Lawson. They will compete against Zoey 101 star Jamie Lynn Spears and How I Met Your Mother actress Alyson Hannigan. Other contestants include reality TV star Harry Jowsey, NFL running back Adrian Peterson, supermodel Tyson Beckford, singer Jason Mraz, and Marvel star Xochitl Gomez. Actress Mira Sorvino, YouTuber Lele Pons, Brady Bunch star Barry Williams, Veep actor Matt Walsh and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Mauricio Umansky complete the line-up.

Tell us what you think. How do you feel about DWTS renaming the trophy to honor Len Goodman? And after you share your views, check back on our site for more Dancing With The Stars news.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com