‘Dancing With the Stars’ Fans Debate Adding New Judges, Replacing Old Favorites
Fans are already hotly debating what to expect ahead of season 31 of Dancing With the Stars. They are concerned over the returning panel of judges, the pros who will coach, and the newest batch of competing celebrities. Will Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Len Goodman make the switch to the series’ new home on Disney+ or will the longstanding foursome be replaced with new faces?
Both Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli confirmed their return for season 31
In separate interviews, Hough and Tonioli confirmed their return for Dancing With the Stars season 31.
This season of the reality competition series will be the first to stream on Disney+.
Hough told Entertainment Tonight he was “excited” to be a part of this “new phase in television.”
“At first, I was like, ‘Wha? What does that mean?!’ But within 10 seconds, I was very excited about it,” Hough shared. “I think that’s where many things are moving toward,” Hough shared.
“Dancing With the Stars has always been a trailblazer. They’ve always been the first to do things,” he added. “So to move into this area is very bold, very brave, and I’m very excited about being a part of that new phase in television!”
Tonioli told The One Show that he was leaving his post on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and would continue his judging duties on Dancing With the Stars.
“Dancing With the Stars has moved to Disney+, which is a big deal,” Tonioli shared. “It will be streaming live, which is a big deal. It is very, very exciting.”
‘Dancing With the Stars’ fans debate adding new judges, replacing old favorites
In a Reddit post titled “new judges,” fans debated whether or not Dancing With the Stars should remain with its current roster of judges or bring in some new names.
“I’m surprised we haven’t heard anything about when the show is coming back yet. Derek’s returning due to his ties with Disney, and Bruno said he’s going to do the show, but he is unsure about the rest. I can honestly see a shake-up at the panel. My feeling is Len could go because they want someone younger, and maybe Carrie Ann or Bruno,” wrote one follower.
“I would have moved Derek to be the head choreographer and have three new judges,” penned a second viewer.
“Cheryl (Burke) and Maksim Chmerkovskiy should come in as judges, at least for a season to try it out,” shared a third Reddit user.
“Disney+ needs to get back to basics, bring back the core of what made the show popular, and work from there. They can still evolve and try to stay relevant, but they don’t have to completely change the show from what it was,” deduced the fourth fan.
Has there been an official start date for season 31 of ‘Dancing With the Stars’?
Get the Mirrorball ready. 🤩 Dancing with the Stars is moving to a new home when it returns this fall as the first LIVE series on #DisneyPlus! #DWTS 💃🕺 pic.twitter.com/CKmfgSgOZF
— Disney+ (@disneyplus) April 8, 2022
Disney+ has not yet announced an official start date for season 31 of Dancing With the Stars, nor has there been word on the series’ returning pros or competing celebrities.
However, Dancing with the Stars will most likely stream live on Disney+ in its traditional two-hour time slot from 8-10 p.m. EST on Monday evenings.
Dancing with the Stars will stream exclusively on Disney+ this fall.
