It’s time for dance fans to celebrate. Last week ABC officially renewed Dancing with the Stars for a 28th season after it was taken off the schedule for American Idol this spring.
ABC plans to freshen up the format of the show, which is hosted by Erin Andrews and Tom Bergeron, along with judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.
ABC Entertainment Chief Karey Burke revealed at the Disney Upfronts presentation on Tuesday:
“We have been pitched some really fun format changes for Dancing with the Stars by the executive producers but right now they are top secret. [Reality chief] Rob Mills and I had a meeting with them a couple of months ago and got very excited about some of the new ideas that they were talking about to freshen up the format. It’s still the show that audience knows and loves but they’ve got some good ideas in terms of how to surprise people in new ways.”
Burke added that it was “going after bigger stars than we have in a long time” as the series returns to its regular time slot on Monday nights at 8 pm. Much to fans chagrin, radio host and American Idol mentor Bobby Bones won the last season, beating arguably better dancers like Harry Potter alum Evanna Lynch, Disney star Milo Manheim and Instagram star Alexis Ren.
Stars who are interested in appearing on DWTS include I Know What You Did Last Summer star Jennifer Love Hewitt and gymnast and viral sensation Katelyn Ohasi.
Burke believes resting the show will have a positive impact: “Resting the show does help us focus on talent and we will go after people that we think will be the strongest. That has been a gift and the producers are chomping at the bit to bring it back next fall,” she added.
