‘DWTS’ Tom Bergeron Blasts Show Over Biased Scoring

Dancing With the Stars celebrated its 20th birthday this week, and the nostalgia was thick in the ballroom. Longtime viewers got a treat when Tom Bergeron—arguably the most beloved host the show has ever had—stepped back onto the DWTS floor.

But this time, he didn’t grab the mic. Instead, he slipped into the judges’ panel beside Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli for a night of memories, milestones, and just a little bit of controversy.

And in classic Bergeron fashion, he didn’t waste the opportunity to speak candidly about the show he helped shape.

He’s Glad to Visit—But Hosting Again? “No, I’m done.”

Tom Bergeron’s 2020 firing still stings for many longtime fans, especially when he was replaced by Tyra Banks—a casting choice that sparked backlash and never quite found its footing.

Today, DWTS is helmed by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, two people with deep DWTS roots. But does Bergeron want the job back now that the show has stabilized?

Not even a little.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter ahead of his return to the ballroom, he shut down the idea immediately:

“No, I’m done. I’m done.”

Bergeron went further, making it clear he’s happy watching from the sidelines:

“They have a permanent host, and he’s really good. I have no desire to host anymore. I’m always open to being surprised, but it would not be that show, because they have great people doing it. But honestly, to go back as a guest judge, I’m just thrilled about.”

So while fans might hope for a legacy comeback, Bergeron himself has officially turned the page.

Why He’ll Never Compete on DWTS—Ever

If Bergeron is done hosting, could he at least join the growing roster of older stars who compete for fun—and for fan love? His answer to that was even sharper:

“Because why would I? I know what they go through; I don’t need that kind of aggravation.”

He made sure to uplift the celebrities who do take on the challenge, pointing to comedian Andy Richter:

“Look at Andy [Richter] this season. Andy has brought his passion, his love for the show, his desire to learn, all of which I think those are foundational elements of why the show works.”

But admiration doesn’t equal willingness.

The former host reminded everyone he’s been there—once, and never again:

“It’s a lot of work, and I’m older than Andy. So (laughs) no. I would never do that. I danced once in season two, that was plenty. It was the world’s slowest quickstep and as Len even said, it was better suited for America’s Funniest [Home] Videos.”

That settles that.

Bergeron Calls Out One of DWTS’s Most Controversial Changes

While Bergeron is done hosting and dancing, he’s far from done weighing in on the show’s evolution. And he has thoughts about this season’s scoring—echoing what many viewers have been shouting on social media.

Season 34 has faced ongoing complaints about inconsistent judging and lowball scores, but Bergeron believes the real issue goes deeper than a few questionable paddles. For him, the fix lies in bringing back something the show scrapped years ago: the two-night format.

“The ratings have proven it’s time to bring back the results show,” he said.

He didn’t hide how much he missed the Tuesday-night tension:

“I always mourned the loss of that Tuesday show. I thought it made the voting more fair across the country, because the West Coast can’t vote now unless they’re watching on wherever the hell you’d watch it streamed live.”

The current voting window only allows East Coast viewers to cast ballots in real time—a move made after radio host Bobby Bones controversially won Season 27. Since then, West Coast viewers have been forced to vote blind, not based on the actual performance they’ll see hours later.

Bergeron’s stance? The system was better—and fairer—before.

A Familiar Face, A Fresh Perspective

Tom Bergeron may never return as host, and he certainly isn’t signing up for a foxtrot anytime soon. But his presence still feels like home in the DWTS universe.

His candid take on fairness, his respect for contestants, and his refusal to sugarcoat changes to the show all remind fans why they’ve missed him.

He may be “done,” but he’s not checked out. And clearly, Dancing With the Stars still shines a little brighter when he’s in the room.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening on DWTS now. Come back here often for all DWTS spoilers, news, and updates.