DWTS Exec Responds to Tom Bergeron’s Plea for Results Show

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Dancing With the Stars isn’t changing up its routine anytime soon.

Following an appeal from former host Tom Bergeron on the November 11th episode to reinstate a results show, co-executive producer Deena Katz stated that the reality competition series is currently doing well.

She said in a recent TV Insider interview that while revisiting past projects would be enjoyable, she’s very happy with their current work. ‘I’m thrilled with what we’re doing,’ she explained.

Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars, featuring contestants like Robert Irwin, Dylan Efron, Alix Earle, Elaine Hendrix, and Jordan Chiles vying for the Mirrorball trophy on November 25th, now has one two-hour episode each week. Previously, the show aired two episodes – performances on Mondays and a live results show on Tuesdays. This new format of one episode per week began with season 17 back in 2013.

Deena, a producer on the show since 2006, said she used to enjoy when two episodes aired each week, but maintains the series will stick to a single episode per week going forward.

She said she used to really enjoy the results shows. They were a lot of fun – like a big, lively variety show with music, dancing, and everything you could ask for. She thought they were fantastic.

Deena isn’t the only one who likes the show’s outcomes – Tom, who hosted the series from the very beginning in 2005 through its 28th season in 2019, feels the same way.

The 70-year-old told The Hollywood Reporter in a November 10th interview that the show had a lot of potential. He described it as a variety show where contestants were eliminated each week, and believes it’s time to revive the format given current ratings trends.

He also mentioned being upset that the show no longer airs on Tuesdays, as the live episodes aren’t accessible across the country when people are voting.

Tom explained that this change made voting fairer nationwide, as people on the West Coast now need to watch a live stream to participate.

You know, watching the 20th anniversary of Dancing with the Stars, I was really touched by what one particular contestant did. He used his time on the show to actually suggest a change to the format – a really brave and thoughtful move, if you ask me! It showed he was thinking about the show’s future and how it could be even better.

As my time as a judge comes to an end, I want to address the network directly,” Tom said, looking into the camera. “The show is performing incredibly well in the ratings, so for next season, please bring back the live results show and allow viewers across the country to vote. Let everyone participate in deciding the outcome.”

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following Dancing With the Stars for years, and let me tell you, a lot happens behind the scenes! The show has definitely evolved over time, but the changes aren’t the only surprises. I’m excited to share some of the secrets about this popular ABC series with you.

In 2019, Variety reported that contestants on Dancing With the Stars initially earn around $125,000 for rehearsals and the first two weeks of the show, with payouts increasing weekly for those who continue. Sources at the time said the maximum potential earnings were $295,000.

However, Bobby Bones, who won season 27 with Sharna Burgess in 2018, claimed he earned significantly more.

On Jason Tartick’s Trading Secrets podcast in September 2025, Bones revealed the pay structure: no money for the first episode, $10,000 for the second, and increasing amounts each week, potentially reaching $50,000 per episode if a contestant lasts. He stated that, in addition to a base salary of around $110,000, he ultimately made nearly $400,000 from the show.

ABC has not officially verified these figures.

Details about how much the professional dancers earn aren’t widely available. However, like the celebrity contestants, it appears their earnings increase the longer they stay on the show.

Even if a pro dancer is eliminated early, they still receive payment.

Jenna Johnson explained on the June 2025 episode of the The Morning After podcast (hosted by Kelly Stafford and Hank Winchester) that professionals are guaranteed pay for a certain number of weeks, though contracts can vary. She added that she couldn’t speak for all the pros.

It seems professional dancers on Dancing with the Stars don’t earn extra money for winning the show, despite what you might think. While winning the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy is a great achievement, the real financial benefit comes from making it to the finale. As pro dancer Cheryl Johnson explained on The Morning After, dancers are paid for the entire season if they reach the end, and they also receive a bonus. Winning doesn’t come with a large cash prize to split with their celebrity partner – it’s mostly about the trophy and the bragging rights!

That doesn’t seem to be what happened. Dancer Lindsay Arnold shared on the podcast Trading Secrets in 2022 that her pay was reduced by more than half when she moved from being a professional dancer to a troupe member.

Professional dancers have very little say in who they’re partnered with on shows like Dancing With the Stars. Lindsay explained on the Hot Smart Rich podcast that pairings are simply assigned – “Here’s your partner. Make it work.” Jenna added on The Morning After that the pairings are usually kept secret until the last minute to capture a genuine reaction. Dancers don’t even know who their partner is until they meet them, and the show aims to keep the cast list under wraps to avoid leaks.

According to former showrunner Rob Wade, the Dancing With the Stars team considers height, body type, personality, and compatibility when making these matches. They avoid pairing people who are likely to clash, as the experience is too intense for everyone involved. Unlike shows like The Bachelor, the goal isn’t to create drama; they want a positive experience for the celebrity, the viewers, and themselves. They’ve learned from past mistakes where incompatible pairings led to a miserable experience.

Dancing With the Stars requires a huge time commitment. Rylee Arnold, who danced with Stephen Nedoroscik in season 33, explained on the Lightweights Podcast With Joe Vulpis that rehearsals typically last four hours, either from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., or 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. But the work doesn’t end there – she often spends additional time with producers, perfecting choreography, or studying dance routines. Rylee says it consumes her entire life, but she loves it and finds it incredibly fulfilling. The schedule is relentless, with rehearsals happening Tuesday through Sunday, camera blocking on Monday, and then back to showtime on Tuesday. It’s a job that demands dedication every single day.

Emma Slater and Britt Stewart confirmed in a September 2025 Instagram video that it’s mostly happening, but it’s a project they’re working on with the show’s producers.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always fascinated by the behind-the-scenes magic of shows like ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ and the costume department is truly something else! It’s a whirlwind – much faster paced than anything the dancers experience, honestly. The designers, like Daniela Gschwendtner, start by collaborating with everyone – set designers, lighting, and of course, the dancers themselves – to create a story with each outfit. Then comes the sketching, and they have just five days, maximum, to create all the costumes. That’s half a day per piece, and that doesn’t even include the time spent adding all those gorgeous rhinestones! They have a team of around 20 people, plus an external tailor shop, just to keep up. It’s a huge operation! Steven Norman Lee shared that dancers often don’t even try on their costumes until just hours before they hit the dance floor. While they might re-use pants for the male dancers, almost everything is custom-made each week. Daniela also explained they do reuse items for group numbers or promotional shoots, but never for the competition itself. They really strive to keep everything fresh and new each week to keep the show exciting and visually stunning.

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2025-11-25 02:17