Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast

Episode 9: 20th Birthday Party Breakdown

Release Date: November 13, 2025
Host: Jordan Kimball (with guest host and interviews)
Key Guests: Derek Hough, Tom Bergeron, Andy Cohen & Emma Slater

Episode Overview

In this milestone episode, the official podcast celebrates 20 years of Dancing with the Stars with a special birthday party edition. Jordan Kimball hosts a packed show featuring exclusive cast reflections, behind-the-scenes stories from the monumental birthday episode, an emotional sit-down with six-time champion Derek Hough, the return of original host and guest judge Tom Bergeron, and a heartfelt farewell to Andy Cohen and Emma Slater. With candid discussions on the legacy, evolution, and emotional impact of the show, this episode captures both the glitz and depth that has defined two decades of DWTS.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The 20th Birthday Episode — Production, Nostalgia & “Family”

(00:34–10:19)

• Jordan introduces the celebration, noting the return of many familiar faces and champions.
• Derek Hough shares an inside look at crafting the show’s opening number, emphasizing the show’s family-like culture:
  • The number honored the DWTS theme (“that melody from season one has been there. So let's honor the song, but let's recreate it,” 02:13–02:42).
  • Choreographic challenges: Only three hours with exhausted pros, working at 7 a.m., making the “miracle” of live TV possible (04:26–04:49).
• Tribute & Nostalgia:
  • Derek highlights the emotional moments: “It was really this moment where we kind of prime our emotions... and then we lead up to this powerful moment where Tom Bergeron returns to the ballroom” (03:40).
  • A heartfelt tribute to late head judge Len Goodman, with a recreation of the “beam of light on his chair and the classic Viennese waltz” (03:20–03:37).
• The role of collaboration: Derek credits his musical background—“before I danced, I was a drummer…” (06:19)—for his teamwork with musical director Ray and for making routines special.
• Evolution of the Pros: Derek discusses how Julianne Hough changed the show’s format, injecting fresh energy and new styles (09:14–10:16).

2. Derek Hough’s Emotional Journey & Reflections

(10:19–15:38)

• Derek opens up about what DWTS means to him:
  • “Dancing with the Stars, like, saved my life. And I don’t really, I don’t say that lightly... It kept me focused. It gave me purpose. It taught me how to teach, to coach, to create. It taught me how to be a better person. It was. It’s not just a show. This was my life.” (10:44–11:26)
  • He recounts growing from a 22-year-old pro to a judge and the privilege of sharing this legacy with others.
• Anecdotes: The classic Len Goodman scoring story—after requesting a step, Len still gives Derek a six, fueling fan votes and highlighting the unpredictable drama of the show: “this is a show that is... fun and it is dramatic and it is unpredictable” (14:10–14:36).
• On Judging: Derek discusses the challenge of giving meaningful feedback in limited time. “There’s so much I want to say... you get lost in the moment, and then you look at the clock and you’re like ‘oh, there’s no time’...” (15:38–16:09)

3. Ballroom’s Cultural Impact & Derek’s Upcoming Tour

(17:00–20:52)

• Ballroom goes global: Derek reflects on how the genre went from niche to national prominence: “We became ballroom dancers because we loved it. We didn’t do it for money. You did it to lose money... To have the show come along and to reward these dancers, to reward this genre of dance in such a special way, and to see ballroom dance explode into people’s homes...” (17:15–18:35)
• Personal growth: Derek shares stories from his childhood and teases his next tour, “Symphony of Dance: Encore,” scheduled for June 2026—emphasizing fan interaction and family:
  • “If you don’t like my scores and you disagree with my judging, you come tell me.” (19:14)
  • Plans to tour with his soon-to-be newborn after consulting with fellow pros who are parents.

4. Tom Bergeron Returns to the Ballroom

(21:44–33:22)

• Tom reflects on his guest judge experience: “It was oddly comfortable... I’ve certainly been in the company of the judges for... a decade and a half, so I kind of got the gist of it.” (22:03)
• Production insights: The pressure of live TV, hitting time cues, and the host’s sensitivity to the entire production.
  • “There’s a little timer clock, like at an award ceremony, and you have, what, 15 seconds?” (22:28)
• Legacy & Bonds: Tom discusses being a “dad” figure to younger pros and the strong “work family” (“I was kind of, you know, like, me and Len were the real veterans...” 24:21), as well as Len’s blend of authority and warmth.
• Iconic moments: Tom recounts the famous Kirstie Alley kiss post-Emmy win and his wife’s deadpan response days later:
  • “‘What did you think about Kirsty kissing you?’... it wasn’t the answer she wanted to hear, but I said it was great TV.” (29:38–30:07)
• Show’s origin story: Tom reveals his initial skepticism and ultimate buy-in after seeing the UK’s “Strictly Come Dancing”: “I can't tell you what I actually said, but suffice it to say, I was skeptical... [but] I thought, this could work.” (26:54–28:37)

5. Elimination Reaction: Andy Cohen & Emma Slater

(33:53–48:53)

• Andy & Emma join for a candid, bittersweet goodbye, reflecting on Andy’s unexpected DWTS journey:
  • “I just kept kind of putting the yard marker further and further... I’m so happy and so thrilled and cannot believe I got this far… we were making people happy.” (34:03–35:36)
  • Andy on criticism: “Like people trying to insult me, like, you're the worst dancer there. Oh, really? This is news to me. ... I know that. But this is a TV show. You know, everyone's like, it's a dance contest. Yeah. In a TV show.” (00:17, 35:21)
• Emotional growth: Andy and Emma share how the partnership changed both their lives:
  • Andy: “...I started loving it, and I started walking around feeling, like, buoyant... I'm going to continue to challenge myself...” (38:38–41:06)
  • Emma: “Well, you know how you said, oh, I felt like a little part of me was stuck? Well, that was me too... you reminded me that I love to laugh, and I've missed that... you made me feel so comfortable, and we laughed so much.” (41:27–43:02)
• Signature Moments:
  • The pair veer from laughter to tears and back, underlining the emotional rollercoaster of ballroom (“It was just a joy to come do this very difficult thing that hurt... And she's just such a beautiful, magical person. And then it did quickly become about just, like, loving each other...” 37:40).
  • Shirt-ripping comic relief, with Andy joking about his outfit’s quirks (43:18–43:33).
• Gratitude: Both express deep appreciation for the DWTS community:
  • Andy: “The beautiful pros on this show made me feel that I belonged here and that I deserve to be here... I just couldn’t feel more gratitude to just the beautiful people on this show.” (44:17–45:53)
• On Fan Support: Andy acknowledges the “Fandies” and reflects on the power of bringing joy: “I gave people joy, I experienced joy and I let them. And they came with us while we did it and that, that's what, that's why they were making signs and that's why they were putting knee straps on their babies, you know... because we were making people happy.” (45:58–47:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Derek Hough on the show's impact:

  “Dancing with the Stars, like, saved my life. And I don’t really, I don’t say that lightly... It kept me focused. It gave me purpose.” (10:44)

• Tom Bergeron on returning:

  “I feel like I’ve been eulogized without the pesky business of dying.” (23:49)

• Tom Bergeron, after Kirstie Alley’s famous on-air kiss:

  “‘What did you think about Kirsty kissing you?’... it wasn’t the answer she wanted to hear, but I said it was great TV.” (29:38–30:07)

• Andy Cohen reflecting on criticism:

  “Like people trying to insult me, like, you're the worst dancer there. Oh, really? This is news to me.” (00:17, 35:21)

• Emma Slater on Andy’s partnership:

  “You came into my life and we laughed so much, and you just reminded me that I love to laugh, and I’ve missed that.” (41:27)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|----------------------------| | Derek Hough on opening number, family | 01:39–04:26 | | Tribute to Len Goodman & Tom Bergeron | 03:20–03:40 | | Production challenges explained | 04:26–04:58 | | Derek on his musical background & process | 06:19–07:01 | | Julianne Hough’s influence | 09:14–10:16 | | Derek on the show “saving his life” | 10:44–11:26 | | The classic “Len’s 6” judging moment | 14:10–14:52 | | Derek on judging challenges | 15:38–16:25 | | Ballrooms’ cultural impact | 17:00–18:41 | | Derek’s 2026 tour plans | 18:56–20:52 | | Tom Bergeron on being back as guest judge | 21:44–23:09 | | Tom on DWTS legacy & family | 24:19–25:33 | | Kirstie Alley spontaneous kiss story | 29:06–30:07 | | Show’s origin story with Tom | 26:54–28:37 | | Andy Cohen & Emma Slater’s candid exit | 33:53–48:53 | | Andy on growth, joy, comedy | 34:03–41:06 | | Emma’s tribute to Andy | 41:27–43:02 | | Fandies & gratitude segment | 45:53–47:00 |

Tone & Language

The episode is upbeat, honest, and heartfelt, capturing both humor and sentiment. Banter is light, authenticity and mutual appreciation run deep, and the joy of shared achievement shines through each segment—whether it’s Derek’s passion for dance, Tom’s wry warmth, or Andy and Emma’s touching goodbye.

Summary for New Listeners

If you haven’t caught the 20th birthday bash, this episode is a must-listen for DWTS fans old and new. You’ll get backstage stories straight from the biggest names in the show’s history, warm tributes to absent friends, tight-knit camaraderie, reflections on how dance can change lives, and a whole lot of love for the art and community of dancing. This is the perfect celebration of two decades of sparkle, sweat, and surprise on America’s favorite dance floor.