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- [00:01]
Derek Hough
Dancing with the Stars, like saved my life. And I don't really, I don't say that lightly.
- [00:10]
Tom Bergeron
Three or four days later, we're in bed and she's reading and she goes, what did you think about the Kirsty kissing you?
- [00:18]
Andy Cohen
Like people trying to insult me, like you're the worst dancer there. Oh, really? This is news to me.
- [00:34]
Jordan Kimball
Hey, party people. Welcome to the 20th birthday party episode. Here on the Dancing with the Stars official podcast sponsored by Sonic. We are celebrating two decades of dance and a whole lot of joy. We had so many familiar faces back in the ballroom tonight. From the season one OGs in the opening number to the returning champs in the relay round, myself included. It was a jam packed show and it was so incredible to be back on stage tonight. I had the best time with Alex tonight. Team Jordan, Team Dillon and team Robert won the relay rounds, which means two points were added to each of their scores. So that means Dillon, Robert and Whitney landed at the top of the leaderboard. But unfortunately we had to say goodbye to Annie and Emma. They'll be joining me right here in just a bit. And later, tonight's very special guest judge Tom Bergeron will also be here to chat with me. You do not want to miss that one. But my first guest holds the record for the most Emmy nominations for choreography in TV Academy history with 13 nominations and he's a four time Emmy winner. He also holds the record for the most Dancing with the Stars mirrorball victories with six. You see him every week at the judges table. It's Derek Hoff.
- [01:39]
Derek Hough
Joey, how's it going?
- [01:41]
Jordan Kimball
It's good, man.
- [01:41]
Derek Hough
All right.
- [01:42]
Jordan Kimball
Jackson, I'm glad you're here.
- [01:43]
Derek Hough
You were on extra in my little, my territory. Now I'm on your territory.
- [01:46]
Jordan Kimball
I know. It's good though. I love it, man. I like it. I'm glad you're here, man, because we have a lot to talk about, obviously. 20th birthday episode. Unbelievable. But the opening number was incredible. Thank you. Can you talk a little bit more about how you're feeling about it all after that?
- [02:00]
Derek Hough
Woo. I feel great, obviously. It's just great to be part of the show, you know, I really mean that, you know. And after this show tonight, we always talk about how this show is a family and it's not just a show, it's a family. Yeah. And I kind of like panned over and I showed the floor and it was filled with past celebrities, past pros, past makeup artists, hair department, film, every area. And there were just hugs and relationships and love. There was. And it was that it was like a snapshot of, like, what we talk about, about it being a family. And this opening number for me, when I first found out that we're having a 20th birthday celebration, and they said, we'd like you to choreograph the opening. The first question was, well, what's the song? What's the song gonna be? And I thought about it, and I was like, it has to be the theme song, because that's been the through line from day one. Is that that theme, that melody from season one has been there. So let's honor the song, but let's recreate it. Let's find different styles. Let's find different things. And then the other question was, now, how do we honor the journey? Yeah. And the second answer to that was, bring back the original pros who started this journey and bring them into the fold. And then there's a moment where it kind of passes off to the future, and we're here in season 34. And that was kind of the genesis for that. That moment. And then the next question. When I found out that Tom Bergeron was gonna be back, I said, well, hold on now. We have to have a moment where we honor him. But before we do that, we have to honor Lane Goodman. There's that moment. It's a throwback to the Lennon tribute with that beam of light on his chair and the classic Viennes waltz, and then that little cannon that leads up to Tom Bergeron. So it was really this moment where we kind of prime our emotions. We're in this emotional place, and then we lead up to this powerful moment where Tom Bergeron returns to the ballroom. Because this man helped build the show. He helped build the show. We would not be here if it wasn't for Tom. And I wanted to honor that and let him have that moment. And it was really special. It was really special. And of course, what people might not know about this, though. You choreographed this piece. I did the music with Ray. You choreograph it, and then you only have three hours with the pros to teach them everything.
- [04:26]
Jordan Kimball
I know.
- [04:28]
Derek Hough
And they're exhausted because they have their dances that they're working on. They have their routines they're working on. And by the way, this rehearsal's at 7am in the morning till 10. So it's a miracle. It's literally a miracle that these type of performances happen, because there's such little time to get it done. But we get it done.
- [04:49]
Jordan Kimball
You get it done, and it is crazy. Would you say that's the Most challenging part of the opening number is the little amount of time you actually have with the pros and the people that are in the number.
- [04:59]
Derek Hough
Without a doubt, I think. Well, I think one of the most challenging parts about any type of routine or choreography or a piece that you want to create is. Is really one. The music, figuring that part out and then just the journey, you know what I mean? Because we also. That wasn't a track we just picked up and go, oh, we used that. We had to create it. And there's about 20 different versions. You know, you hear, like, the 25th version. That's what you hear, the final product. But there's 24 versions of it where I'm like, oh, that feels too long. Ooh, we gotta extend that part. Ooh, that crash cymbal's in the wrong place. Ooh, let's have a bass line that goes ba doom, doom, doom, doom, doom, doom, doom, doom. With a, you know, or like a snare here or like a kick drum there or a tom, tom there. All those things are added and, you know, subtracted. And then the choreography starts to reveal itself. And then you gotta teach it. And so it. There's so much that goes into it. And then when it happens, it's just, you know, flies. Magic.
- [05:55]
Jordan Kimball
And there's levels, like you say. And I love that you talked about that, because we had Ray in here last week, and he was giving you all the flowers possible about how when you create something with him, how you guys really work together. And he was explaining it exactly, of what you just did, the sounds you would make, the feeling you would have. And he said he loves that you guys have the ability to really talk to one another. Like, you guys have the ability to have that language of dance and music because you understand it so well.
- [06:19]
Derek Hough
Well, fortunately, before I danced, I was a drummer. I played drums when I was 8 years old in a Beach Boys tribute band in all the state Utah county fairs. And so percussion, rhythm, timing was sort of my first thing. And then I got into dance, so. And I played piano and played guitar and stuff. So I understand music, which really helps to articulate and to communicate with the musician. And that's been really helpful. And honestly, that's been very helpful in my entire Dancing with Stars journey to, you know, with the musicality, with the choreography. It's very customized. You know, not always, but sometimes I get inspired. I want to really customize every element of it, and usually those ones turn out really special.
- [07:01]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah. And there was a lot of customization. I also Love that you said it was a story like how you described it in the beginning. It really is a story that you put together. The dance with you and Danny, you and the Argentine tango section.
- [07:14]
Derek Hough
I took the Ferrari for a spin.
- [07:15]
Jordan Kimball
Oh, yeah, you did. It was crazy, dude.
- [07:18]
Derek Hough
Thanks, man. Thanks.
- [07:19]
Jordan Kimball
It was unbelievable. And I love seeing you dance again. Like, it's something that just feels right, but there's something about it.
- [07:24]
Derek Hough
Well, this is kind of of a fun fact that people might not know, actually. So Daniela, she was in the competitive Latin dance world, and I went and saw her, and I knew her a little bit, and we did a project together called Naturals, Like a concept video on YouTube. You can go check it out. And I remember dancing with her being like, you're incredible. This is amazing. I said, do you want to go on tour with me? So in 2019, she came on my very first solo tour.
- [07:52]
Andy Cohen
Wow.
- [07:52]
Derek Hough
As a dancer. And she was kind of my. My Latin dancer, you know, and we were partners in that whole thing. And then from that tour, they were like, you know, producers for the show.
- [08:01]
Jordan Kimball
Were like, oh, that girl's really good.
- [08:03]
Derek Hough
She's great. Get her on. So it's been really amazing to see her, because I remember when we first started, I was like, we're doing this style. We're doing this thing. She goes, oh, I don't do those type of things. I don't do lifts. I don't do tricks. You know what I mean? Because she was a competitive Latin dancer, right? And we don't do all those flips and tricks and things. So we're doing all this stuff, and she's like, whoa, this is. This is crazy. Wild. And then I think about the tangle that she did tonight with Dylan, and I'm like, oh, she's doing all the tricks now. She's. She's incredible. So it was awesome to get. To get on that dance floor with her again, and. Yeah, man. Yeah. And by the way, that. That combo that we did was kind of a throwback. That same combo we did in my 2019 tour. Oh, no way. Because we had no time to choreograph it. So I said. I said, hey, we got something. 2019 in the can. And our bodies. We just did it. We didn't have to rehearse it. It was just like muscle memory. It was kind of crazy.
- [08:54]
Jordan Kimball
That's awesome. And that is actually crazy to me to think that Danielle Karagach does not have lifts in her prior training, because when I think of her dances, I think of her having these crazy, awesome Lifts. So that's unbelievable.
- [09:07]
Derek Hough
Yeah, it's wild. It's wild to see the growth. The genesis of the show is extraordinary. And speaking of that too, just based off the pros.
- [09:13]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah.
- [09:14]
Derek Hough
Reflecting on the show and the journey of the show, Julianne, when I think about my sister, really, from an unbiased point of view, because this is also what producers have said. She came on season four of Dancing with the Stars, this 18 year old blonde girl from Utah, and she shook the entire format of Dancing with the Stars forever. She really changed the trajectory of the show in the sense that it was a different kind of dancer where this charisma, this energy and also different styles. She brought different styles than just Latin, a ballroom. And she became kind of like the model of like, oh, we want more of that. And now when you look at the show, you know, you see all these amazing dancers and you go, wow. Like, you can see that sort of formula. You know what I mean? And what she really started in a way and changed everything. So big props to my sis, honestly, because what people might not know too, she came on the show before me and after seeing her win, I was like, well, I got it. Hold up.
- [10:16]
Andy Cohen
You won.
- [10:17]
Derek Hough
Let me get in there. You know?
- [10:18]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah.
- [10:19]
Derek Hough
Pretty extraordinary.
- [10:20]
Jordan Kimball
It's cool, like you said, to see how it's evolved. And I want to talk about your experience on the show because I saw it in the package tonight and I love that moment where you grew up on this show, Right. So you came 20. How many years ago were you on the show?
- [10:33]
Derek Hough
I joined Secret.
- [10:34]
Jordan Kimball
22 years old, right?
- [10:35]
Derek Hough
Yes.
- [10:36]
Jordan Kimball
And did you ever, like, expect to. What's come now to go through the whole experience on the show to now be the judge? Like, how was that journey for you?
- [10:45]
Derek Hough
You know, without getting too. No, let's get deep with it. I said this recently and I said that Dancing with the Stars, like, saved my life. And I don't really, I don't say that lightly because without going into much detail, but this show 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. You know what I mean? Like, we did two seasons, a year, two tours a year, no days off. Like, this was literally my life and I learned so much. I had amazing relationships that were built from partners to dancers, to film crews, to lighting crews, everybody. And so when we talk about this show, I have such an emotional attachment to the show that I will always go at bat for this place, I will always defend it, I will always stand up for it and I will always love it with every inch of my being, truly. And so to have the journey that I've had, which has been extraordinary, you know, to win the show six times, to know what that feels like and to share that with so many other people, to dance with people like Amy Purdy, you know, the Paralympian. Amazing Paralympian. And to do extraordinary things and then to return to the show in a way where I get to sit next to Len and I get to joke with him and talk with him and be backstage with him and just have that beautiful moment together, and then to be here without him and to honor him, you know, it's really. It's really extraordinary. I'll start a fun. A fun story, actually. I love it. I was dancing with Kellie Pickler and Bruno. I did this pasa doble. I think it was like a trio. And Carrion and Bruno stood out of their seats and Kevin gave Kelly a hug. And they're like, this is the best thing we've ever seen. Oh, my go. They're like tens. And Len was like, oh, by the way. Oh, so sorry. Let's rewind this story for a second.
- [13:19]
Jordan Kimball
You're good.
- [13:20]
Derek Hough
You're good. The week before, the week before, I see Len, he goes, what do you got next week? I said, the pasta dole. He's like, derek, why don't you do, like, a coupe in there? I haven't seen that in a long time. Like, you got it, Len. I'm going to put it in the routine, no problem. So I put it in the routine, we do the pasta dole, and I'm like, oh, yo, we have an in with Len this week. This is going to be amazing. We'd finished the dance and Bruno and Carrie Ann love it. They're like tens and, like, incredible.
- [13:45]
Tom Bergeron
Oh, my gosh.
- [13:45]
Derek Hough
Best thing you've seen. And then Lennon goes, what was that? Rubbish. This is an abomination. Where were the twist turns? Where were the chasse capes? What was going on here? Derek, you were letting her down and all these. And I was like, you betrayed me. I couldn't. It was like I. But you'll see, my face was like. I was almost, like, laughing because I was like, what is happening? Right, this is cr.
- [14:10]
Jordan Kimball
I thought.
- [14:11]
Derek Hough
And then Bruno and Kieran gave us tens and Len gave us a six.
- [14:15]
Andy Cohen
Whoa.
- [14:15]
Derek Hough
And this was in the semifinals. Like, this is. Or quarterfinals. It was like, right towards the end. So I Was like, len, what? But again, it was a great reminder that it's. This is a show that is. Is fun and it is dramatic and it is unpredictable.
- [14:36]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah.
- [14:37]
Derek Hough
And also what I learned too, is that that 6 really was helpful for Kelly and I. It actually was more helpful than getting a 10 because fans were really disappointed in Len and so they supported Kelly.
- [14:51]
Jordan Kimball
Kudos to you, Len.
- [14:53]
Derek Hough
I love and I love. I love Len so much.
- [14:55]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah, man, it was really cool to see you guys pay tribute to him tonight. What's not to love about an ice cold Coca Cola? And now at Sonic, you can try any Coca Cola flavor combo, free with any purchase in the Sonic app. You can go spicy like a Coke with strawberry and jalapenos, which is what I have today. Or you can go sweet with bourbon and caramel or maybe like cherry and vanilla flavors. Whatever you choose, create a Coca Cola your way, any size, any flavor, free with any purchase in the Sonic app. Live free. Eat Sonic. Limited time Offer Seattle for details.
- [15:39]
Derek Hough
I guess one thing I would love to talk about, about being a judge is that because you have such a short amount of time, there's so much I want to say that. There's been so many times where I'm like, I'll want to say something positive and I have, like, some critiques, I have some notes.
- [15:52]
Andy Cohen
Right.
- [15:54]
Derek Hough
But you just get lost in the moment and then you look at the clock and you're like, oh, there's no time to talk.
- [15:58]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah.
- [15:59]
Derek Hough
And so you're like, it was amazing. It was incredible. It was amazing. And then like, all right, next person like, oh, but I didn't get to the notes and the critiques and the things that you need to work on. And then you're like, six.
- [16:10]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah.
- [16:10]
Derek Hough
And so everybody's like, wait, hold up. You said it was incredible and you gave him a six. It's because I didn't get to that part. And that happens all the time. It happens all the time. And then vice versa. Sometimes I start with the critiques and like 10, you know.
- [16:25]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah.
- [16:25]
Derek Hough
Or nine or something like that. And like. But I didn't get to the good stuff. So it's. It's funny hearing also to, like, some of the comments being like, hold on, that didn't make sense. You were saying that, but then you gave it. I was like, there was more there. I just didn't get to it or I ran out of time.
- [16:41]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah, it's understandable. You guys have a tough job. You have a little amount of time. You have to plug in that score. Right away, there's a lot that you have.
- [16:47]
Derek Hough
It sounds so ridiculous when you say, like, that's like, you have a lot to do. You got to talk and push a button.
- [16:52]
Jordan Kimball
But it is, though. Like, it. It sounds like it, but it's a lot.
- [16:55]
Derek Hough
No, but it's. It's actually funny because being a pro for 17 seasons, that's a lot.
- [17:00]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah.
- [17:01]
Derek Hough
When I was a pro, when I go home, my brain is going. It is going. I'm thinking about next week. I'm thinking about the lighting. I'm thinking about the costume. And thinking about the choreography doesn't shut off. So when you see people get emotional and you see people get, you know, ecstatic, it's because there's so much. It doesn't switch off for the pros. It's going constantly. And I have so much, so much admiration for them and what they've accomplished, what they've achieved. It doesn't just happen. It takes a lot of thinking and imagination and patience. It's really, really impressive. And so I commend all these pros, especially this season, with the extraordinary work that they've done. It's really, really impressive, and I'm just. I'm proud to see it. And again, too, ballroom dancing. Val said it tonight, and I want to sort of echo that statement. We became ballroom dancers because we loved it. We didn't do it for money. You did it to lose money. The costumes, the traveling, the competitions. The reward was so small for the amount of work that we had to put into it. And so 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. And now I'm at a basketball game, and this guy is like, yo, man, that pasta double was dope.
- [18:41]
Jordan Kimball
I'm like, oh, my gosh.
- [18:42]
Tom Bergeron
You know what?
- [18:42]
Derek Hough
Pasta doble is so cool. And little Derek, you know, when I was a young kid being bullied at school for being a dancer, like, I would never have dreamed of that.
- [18:53]
Jordan Kimball
I have to also ask. I saw an announcement today. Are you going back on tour?
- [18:57]
Derek Hough
Yes.
- [18:57]
Andy Cohen
Dude.
- [18:58]
Derek Hough
Oh, my gosh. Yes. No, no. I'm. I'm super excited. Next summer, 2026 in June. It's called Symphony of Dance. Encore. It's an amazing tour with amazing dancers. Live band. It's an amazing show. I'm really, really proud of it. But what's great about it is it's going to be right after the Dance with the Stars tour. So if you don't want the dance party to finish. You can go right after. I'll come to your city. We're going to have an incredible time. It's going to be amazing. If you don't like my scores and you disagree with my judging, you come tell me. You'd be like, you come see me. You'll be like, hey, Derek. No. And I'll be like, let's give me a hug. We're good, right? No, but you could go to DerekCuff.com, get your tickets. My VIP experiences, I really pride myself on those because I take a lot of time, a lot of time with the fans, you know, personal interactions, dances. It's really special. And then I'm going to have a little. A little one with me.
- [19:55]
Jordan Kimball
I was going to say, man, I have to say congratulations. It's so exciting. I cannot believe you're going to be a dad, man. I'm so happy for you.
- [20:02]
Derek Hough
I can't wait, man. You know, it's.
- [20:04]
Andy Cohen
It's.
- [20:04]
Derek Hough
It's amazing. And actually it's interesting because I actually talked to Jenna and Val and. And to Danny and Pasha. I said, hey, guys, what's it like? What's it like traveling with. With a newborn, with a. With a baby and stuff? And cuz I wasn't sure. I was like, hold on, you know, I don't know about going out on tour. And hold on, let me just see this. Let me check this out. And they were like, oh, no, no, dude, it's fantastic. It's actually fantastic to go on tour because one, you're doing what you love at night, but all day you're with that baby. You get spend all the time with them and it's actually the best thing. And I was like, okay, all right. Okay, let me think about this then. And then I talked to Haley and I said, what do you think, babe? She goes, let's go. I would love. I want to. I want to go on tour. And you know, she wants to do it too, because she's like, I want to get back out there and. And have something to like to. To. To work towards.
- [20:52]
Jordan Kimball
Well, Derek, as always, we appreciate talking to you, man. It's so amazing to hear your side of things and just how this show has changed your life. So thank you for talking with us today.
- [21:01]
Derek Hough
Thank you, man. Appreciate it. Appreciate it.
- [21:03]
Jordan Kimball
Stay right where you guys, because Annie and Emma will be here a little later. But up next, it's tonight's guest judge and the host of the first 28 seasons of Dancing with the Stars, Tom Bergeron. Will be here right after this. I was only 10 years old when the first season of Dancing with the Stars came out. And I used to watch with my mom. If you're an OG fan, you know this next guest, he was the host of the show for the first 28 seasons. And to see him return to the ballroom tonight was quite a memorable moment. I cannot wait for this conversation. It's Tom Bergeron. Tom, how's it going?
- [21:45]
Tom Bergeron
I am just. I'm still sort of have that post show buzz.
- [21:50]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah, you know, it's usual. I feel like it was magic in the ballroom tonight. It was so cool to have you there.
- [21:55]
Tom Bergeron
Thank you.
- [21:56]
Jordan Kimball
What was it like to be in a different position tonight? To be in the judging position? Because you had a little host moment in the beginning, but you're behind the judges.
- [22:04]
Tom Bergeron
Yeah, it was. It was oddly comfortable. I mean, it, you know, I. I'd certainly been in the company of the judges for, you know, a decade and a half, so I kind of got the gist of it. And I also was sensitive to Alfonso's need to move it along. You know, sometimes they actually. What you folks can't see at home, there's a. A little timer clock, like at an award ceremony, and you have what, 15 seconds or something?
- [22:28]
Jordan Kimball
Theoretically, depending on where you're at. Theoretically.
- [22:31]
Tom Bergeron
Right. And I think some of the judges have long distance vision issues because they.
- [22:38]
Jordan Kimball
Could go on that or they just ignore it.
- [22:39]
Tom Bergeron
Yeah, there was that too. But everybody was on their best behavior tonight. I thought it just seemed to flow well and the dances, I mean, everything. You were great out there too.
- [22:50]
Jordan Kimball
Thank you. I appreciate it.
- [22:51]
Tom Bergeron
Yeah. And I have to. You know, I didn't watch your season, so that was the first time I saw you in action.
- [22:56]
Jordan Kimball
I love it.
- [22:57]
Tom Bergeron
And I get why you won.
- [22:58]
Jordan Kimball
I do love that you talked about that. You were quick. I did notice tonight you were on point with your comedy comments. They were always very sharp. But I was like, this is a host right here. He knows that he's got to get to get over it and move on.
- [23:09]
Tom Bergeron
And I started as a DJ in radio.
- [23:11]
Derek Hough
Oh, really?
- [23:12]
Tom Bergeron
So in those days, you'd be talking up a record, you know, so you're talking over the instrumental to hit the post, we'd say when the vocal starts. So there's an internal timer always going on in my brain. And. And I, you know, just as. As a host, being sensitive to the whole production, not just my own little time on camera.
- [23:31]
Jordan Kimball
What was it like being back tonight? Because you come into this from. I mean, it's been how many years since you were on the show now?
- [23:38]
Tom Bergeron
Well, my last season ended in November of 2019.
- [23:43]
Jordan Kimball
2019.
- [23:43]
Tom Bergeron
So six years, really.
- [23:45]
Jordan Kimball
What was it like getting back into the mix? And it all started, I'm sure, at GMA not that long ago was the buzz of it.
- [23:50]
Tom Bergeron
Yeah. That announcement created this. I feel like I've been eulogized without the pesky business of dying response I've gotten not only from the family here, but from you guys there. It's just been wonderfully heartwarming.
- [24:07]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah. It's not only from the fans, but I can see it. When you walked into the ballroom, you've created so many amazing relationships here with the pros, with people that work on the show. Why do you think those relationships are so strong still today?
- [24:20]
Andy Cohen
Well, I.
- [24:21]
Tom Bergeron
When this show started, I had just turned 50, right. Back in 2005, so I had had a career in both local and regional television and national television and all that. So I was kind of, you know, like, me and Len were the real veterans, and I would sometimes, like, I would. I remember one, one of the pros took me for a ride in her new Tesla and I went full dad on her. I said, you know, these shows don't necessarily last forever. It's like, you guys are professional athletes, really, the dancers, and an athlete needs to know that you save for tomorrow, so you might want to get a Fiat. So I've just found myself almost being in that dad role with the pros who were just coming on because, like, Derek was in his early 20s, you know, and I chronologically could have been their dad. So I think that helped and lent. Just had such a wonderful charm and sense of authority, but always with a twinkle and that, you know, that enables you to have a relationship and to build kind of a work family feeling.
- [25:34]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah. And it is a family here. And I do love that you touched on Len. I want to talk about that. The moments tonight, the ability to pay tribute to him and the legendary status that he was. How was that to see that in the ball?
- [25:44]
Tom Bergeron
Well, it's good. And sometimes I would do it in little ways, like seven, you know, and the critique that he gave me for the one dance I did do at the Quick Step, which he would. That was. He wasn't wrong, by the way. It really did belong in America's Funniest Videos. But, yeah, I. I do miss him. I do miss him. I. I just felt that when we'd be between seasons, I always looked forward to that day when I'd run into Len in the offices, and. And we'd catch up. And he just had a unique mastery of the art and a mastery of the medium, but also such a big heart. So even when he was giving. And I would tease the hell out of him on the show, on the air all the time, and he took it in great stride. One of the ultimate ironies to me in the early years of the show. I would tease Len for being the oldest person on the show. Guess who the oldest person was tonight?
- [26:41]
Jordan Kimball
I'm gonna take a guess, but I don't want it.
- [26:42]
Tom Bergeron
Yeah, he's sitting with you.
- [26:45]
Jordan Kimball
When you heard about this show because you were here since season one, what did you think when you found out, like, okay, we're gonna do this show where they're gonna be stars coming into a ball?
- [26:55]
Tom Bergeron
Well, it kind of unfolded a little bit differently. My agent knew I can be a little curmudgeonly about things, and she said, and I was already doing America's Funniest Videos. Yeah. So I was in the ABC Family, and she called me and said, abc wants you to do a summer show, and you're gonna do it. I went, oh, am I okay? I said, what is it? She goes, it's live, and you love live television. I said, well, that's true. What is it? She go, it's a big hit in England. I said, I like English people. What is it? She goes, you have to promise me you're not gonna answer until you look at a DVD of the British show. I said, all right, that's fair. Now that I've promised, will you tell me what it is? She said, it's a celebrity ballroom show. I went, oh, for. I can't tell you what I actually said, but suffice it to say, I was skeptical.
- [27:45]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah.
- [27:46]
Tom Bergeron
But then the next day, I get the DVD of Strictly Come Dancing. I don't think I was 15 minutes into it, and I thought, this could work. I grew up watching variety shows, many of which were shot on this lot. CBS Television City. And then there's reality show element. But also, for me, it had a sense of humor about itself. The host in England at the time was Bruce Forsyth, and he had an almost vaudevillian approach towards it. He was like kind of the Regis or Johnny Carson of England in that era. And I thought, okay, that's a wheelhouse I'm comfortable in. But I didn't think it would go beyond a summer show. I thought, every six weeks in the summer, I'll have an extra gig, you know, But. But it was really that Quick. After my initial reticence, I could see the promise of it.
- [28:37]
Jordan Kimball
That's amazing.
- [28:38]
Tom Bergeron
Yeah.
- [28:38]
Derek Hough
Yeah.
- [28:39]
Jordan Kimball
You could tell because it is. It's. It's a format and a foundation that's just growing. When you get the right people in here, you get the right partnerships. Yeah. That's key.
- [28:46]
Tom Bergeron
Because it had a little rickety time.
- [28:48]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah.
- [28:48]
Tom Bergeron
And it's just kind of had a resurgence, which I'm thrilled about.
- [28:53]
Jordan Kimball
I am too. And I see it still going this way. I think it's in the best spot it could be. Speaking of, like, partnerships, are there any things you look back on or performances that you remember that you were just like. That was the one. Like, do you have any that you still hold on to?
- [29:06]
Tom Bergeron
Well, see, here's the problem. I'm at the point in my life where I hide my own Easter eggs fair, so. So it all kind of. It all kind of blends together as a. Almost a collective experience. I'll tell you one thing that it's not dance related, but the Emmys. The night I won the Emmy for hosting Dancing the Stars, the very next night was going to be our premiere. And Kirstie Alley, the sweet, late Kirstie Alley, was part of the cast. And she came up to me after her dance, and I had no idea it was gonna happen. She locked lips with me.
- [29:39]
Jordan Kimball
I do remember that.
- [29:40]
Tom Bergeron
And it was like, you know, it was a serious. And my wife was in the audience, interestingly, Lois. And it got a lot of play, a lot of coverage. Lois didn't say a word until like three or four days later, we're in bed and she's reading, and she goes, what did you think about Kirsty kissing you? And, you know, I. I answered honestly. It wasn't the answer she wanted to hear, but I said it was great tv.
- [30:07]
Derek Hough
There you go.
- [30:08]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah. Yeah, I was. That was the first thing that came to my mind when you said that. When it happened, I was like, that was great. Absolutely. Yeah. That is. There are moments on this show which I know you appreciate so much because you love live. I like when it's not perfect. I like when things break down. I like when things get a little awry because it's. It's. It's the magic in it.
- [30:25]
Tom Bergeron
It's interesting times when friends of. Even friends of mine who knew I would always say live from.
- [30:32]
Jordan Kimball
You know, sounds so good that, that.
- [30:34]
Tom Bergeron
That it was so smooth that they didn't believe that it was really live life. So I would say to the producers, look, when I'm up in the Balcony shoot over my shoulder and we go to commercial. Let's see the crew breaking down the set because that's the dance show within the dance show. They're brilliant at that. And. And it got to a point sometimes we were a little too heavy with the extra production stuff, but I wanted the audience to see how masterfully the crew would work. A live TV with the ticking clock. A live TV show.
- [31:06]
Jordan Kimball
I mean, we had the stage managers on an episode earlier this season and I tried as much to let people know how amazing what they do. The ability to change those sets in such a short amount of time. Unless you go to the ballroom, you don't really get to see that magic.
- [31:20]
Tom Bergeron
One of the real advantages of technology is that massive LED screen because that took a lot of the physical needs out of the production and you still have the wonderful effect, but it's done.
- [31:34]
Jordan Kimball
Much more quickly now, a little more efficient. I think I can do bigger and crazier things. Well, let's get into tonight. I mean, you were in a great position to be able to be at the judges table. Was there anyone that really surprised you tonight when you're out there watching?
- [31:46]
Tom Bergeron
Well, again, I watched the last few weeks to kind of get ramped up. So everybody kind of did what I thought they would do proficiency wise. And that's because the level of dancing this season is remarkable.
- [32:00]
Jordan Kimball
It really is.
- [32:01]
Tom Bergeron
And, you know, I probably have a similar dance ability to Andy. So I felt very much a kindred spirit with Andy and I thought he handled tonight so eloquently and with such grace. And I think that the people who are in the semifinals deserve to be there.
- [32:20]
Derek Hough
Yeah.
- [32:20]
Jordan Kimball
No, Andy's someone that is just special and what he was the heart of the show. They called him the people's princess for a reason. But in the moment when he opened.
- [32:28]
Tom Bergeron
His shirt, that was hilarious.
- [32:32]
Jordan Kimball
I was up dancing next and I was like, I don't even want to go right now. I just want to take this in. Yeah, it's just unbelievable. I really don't know where it's going to go. I think these next two weeks are going to be really surprising and interesting to see what's going to happen, who's going to make it to that finale, who's going to ultimately end up winning it. Do you have anyone on, on your card right now? Anyone that you feel like has a good chance? You don't have to name one. You can give me a few names.
- [32:53]
Tom Bergeron
Boy. I think at, at this point, three couples come to mind.
- [32:57]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah.
- [32:58]
Tom Bergeron
Yeah, that I would. I Would think that it, it's going to be a real spray tanned horse race.
- [33:06]
Jordan Kimball
I like that. You're gonna hold on to those three couples. Are you gonna share them?
- [33:09]
Tom Bergeron
No, I'm gonna hold on to him.
- [33:11]
Jordan Kimball
Smart man. On tv. Yeah, yeah. Tom, thank you so much.
- [33:14]
Tom Bergeron
My pleasure.
- [33:15]
Jordan Kimball
We really appreciate it.
- [33:16]
Tom Bergeron
Yeah, no, this whole experience has been wonderfully heartwarming and very much like coming home again.
- [33:22]
Jordan Kimball
I love it, man. Well, it's good to have you home. Hey, come on.
- [33:25]
Tom Bergeron
And I'll watch you next time.
- [33:26]
Jordan Kimball
I appreciate it. Don't go anywhere, guys, because up next, Andy and Emma will be right here. Chat with me. My next guests were truly such a joy to watch and I am very sad to see them go. It is Andy and Emma. We love you, Jo. I love you guys.
- [33:53]
Andy Cohen
I was hoping we never had to come in here.
- [33:56]
Jordan Kimball
Andy, I'm going to be honest. I was hoping it too. I get it. Did you ever think you were going to get to this point right now? Cuz I'm proud of you. I know she's proud of you. No, no, no.
- [34:04]
Andy Cohen
I, I mean, well, it depends on when you're talking about what expectations I had for this, but certainly it, it evolved from before I started going like, I hope I get out in the first thing so I don't have to do this anymore. Then to immediately being like, well, you know what, I'm probably not going to stick around long. But like, maybe I'd get through one elimination. That would be kind of nice. And then just as we started doing stuff together and I started to just become invested in this project that we were doing and I was like, I would like to stay for that next night. And then it got to be, I would like to stay for dedication night because my daughter was going to dance. And then after that, we'll see. And then I was like, well, you know what? I really would like to stick around for the Halloween, you know. So I just kept, I just kept kind of putting the, the yard marker further and further. But it's. Yeah, no, I'm so happy and so thrilled and cannot believe that I got this far. And just, you know, just because I know we were making people happy. You know, we were making people happy. Like people trying to insult me, like, you're the worst dancer there. Oh, really? This is news to me. So, I mean, I'd like, I know that, but this is a TV show. You know, everyone's like, it's a dance contest. Yeah. In a TV show. And people get to pick. Like, I liked what they did. I want to see more of that.
- [35:37]
Jordan Kimball
Exactly.
- [35:37]
Andy Cohen
And that's what we were doing. And. And it wasn't even, like. It wasn't a big, calculated thing. And that's, you know, as I said before, we were doing Tiktoks and we were dancing.
- [35:48]
Derek Hough
Yeah.
- [35:48]
Andy Cohen
There's no, like, media plan. There was no. We never, like, well, this is how we can stick around. And it was just like, we just kept doing what we were doing, and I kept falling in love with this process and falling in love with dance, which if you told me in, like, July, you're going to fall in love with dance, I would have been like, police, you know? But there is something, like, really magical that happens when you dance and when you give yourself over to it and you kind of work at it and know what you're doing is there's something very magical that, like, there's a reason we've been doing this as human beings for ever.
- [36:28]
Emma Slater
Yeah, totally.
- [36:29]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah.
- [36:29]
Andy Cohen
Yeah.
- [36:30]
Jordan Kimball
It's crazy how you can really fall in love with it. I was shocked by it, too, last season, how much it just. You just enjoy dancing. You look forward to doing it every week. You should be so proud of how much better you got. Thank you. Quick step is a style I never did. I never even did it on the show. I was afraid of that style. It was amazing tonight. I felt like it was just a different level of where you guys kept growing. And I think there's so much to be proud of.
- [36:52]
Derek Hough
The feathers are here.
- [36:53]
Jordan Kimball
And I loved at the end of the show, too, Andy, how much you said Emma changed your life.
- [36:57]
Andy Cohen
She really did.
- [36:58]
Jordan Kimball
You can see that in this partnership. I want you to be able to talk on that. And then, Emma, I want you to talk how it was. Obviously.
- [37:03]
Emma Slater
Well, I don't want to cry, but.
- [37:05]
Andy Cohen
You go, why not? Because, you know you're going to, well, go on YouTube and I probably will, too. No, I came into this thing and I heard, you know, I knew that I was going to get him. And, like, I have friends that were. That are fans who are like, oh, my God, you're so lucky. Like, you're. You want Emma, Get Emma. Yeah. And then I told her, when I start. Started here, people like grips, security people, promo people would walk by me and go, you got the best one.
- [37:40]
Jordan Kimball
Like.
- [37:40]
Andy Cohen
Like it was on the down low. Like, it couldn't spread around. And I quickly realized that that was right. And I mean, and just. It was just a joy to come do this very difficult thing that hurt, you know, a lot of the time. And she's just such a beautiful, magical person. And then it did quickly become about just, like, loving each other and, you know, a friendship and a relationship that, like. And it's like. It's weird because it's not. It's family. Ish. You know? Yeah. I mean, I'm not her dad. She's got a dad. And she's not my sister, because I have a sister. But it's in there.
- [38:23]
Emma Slater
It's family.
- [38:24]
Andy Cohen
It's in there, definitely. And. And I keep saying to her, you know, I said it tonight, like, what are we gonna do tomorrow when we don't have, you know, we're not gonna see each other?
- [38:34]
Emma Slater
It's gonna suck. Like, I've done the show so many times. It's gonna really suck.
- [38:39]
Andy Cohen
And we just, you know, we laugh. We get together and we laugh, and I. You know, and like I said, I started this thing inert. I started this thing, and, you know, and I didn't have a terrible life. You know, I love my family, I love my wife, and I have a nice. But there was a part of me that was kind of stuck and especially, like, with physicality, you know? And I went into this. I said yes to this because I knew it was forcing my hand. It wasn't because, oh, this will be great exposure for me as a TV guy. It was because this will force my hand to move my ass around and be better at that. And I've had, you know, I mean, I've had. I get a hip that needs replacing, and now I've my. I kept this from my doctor, but this knee needs replacing, too. He was like, why didn't you tell me about the knee? One thing at a time. But I just started doing this, and I started loving it, and I started walking around feeling, like, buoyant, you know, Like. And I am. I don't know that I've ever felt buoyant. I'm not. You know, Like, I always think, like. You know, especially, like, sometimes Bruno, when. Because, like, Bruno would, like, laugh at me or something, and I kind of would feel like, you know, I'm like a rhino in a gazelle contest, you know, cut me some slack. But, I mean, I'm gonna leave this, and I'm gonna continue not only to challenge myself in terms of doing things that I didn't think I wanted to do, and then I judged. It's like, nah, that's not for me. Which was all just fear. Was all just fear and my own insecurities and. And I'm gonna continue to challenge myself and I'm not gonna. Because I did start to. I don't know how other. You know, but in life, you kind of make a laundry list of things you're gonna do. And I. I'm in my late 50s, and there were things on that list that I started to feel like. I don't know if I'm gonna get around to that. And I was heading towards dying disappointed. And a ballroom dance competition changed that for me, you know, and she changed it for me, you know, and.
- [41:06]
Jordan Kimball
Yeah. That's just so special, man.
- [41:08]
Tom Bergeron
Yeah. Thank you.
- [41:08]
Emma Slater
About the nicest thing I've heard. Wow. Sorry.
- [41:14]
Andy Cohen
Right in the mic. Right into the mic.
- [41:17]
Jordan Kimball
Take a second, Emma. I can't even imagine what it feels like to hear those words and now know how much you changed Andy's life. And you can feel it, though. It's like, it's. It's so authentic, the partnership, so.
- [41:27]
Emma Slater
Well, you know how you said, oh, I felt like a little part of me was stuck? Well, that was me too. You know, it's not just a job for me. I. I've been doing this my whole life, and I'm. I dance because I love it. And so sometimes I feel like life really happened to me, which is a beautiful thing, and it's the way it should be. But I. I also do get stuck. And we. 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. I've just. I've missed that joy and that friendship. You filled, like, a massive, like, family friendship hole for me. And I've got the most amazing family, but they are back in England, and so it was just awesome to then have now somebody who immediately, I think, through, like, laughter and just humility, and you spoke just like a regular human, and you stripped everything back, and nothing was fake, and everything was just so real and genuine. And you made me feel so comfortable, and we laughed so much about just nonsense stuff that it's like, that's what's real in life. And so I got stuck, and I was missing that. And now I feel so inspired just about every facet of life. Now I'm like. Well, kind of like what people are saying online. If Andy can be the way that you are, then I can.
- [43:02]
Andy Cohen
I love you.
- [43:03]
Emma Slater
I love you too.
- [43:07]
Andy Cohen
Can you guys just go away? We're having a moment.
- [43:11]
Jordan Kimball
I don't feel like I want to be here right now, but Andy's six pack is poking out, too. It's hard not to see.
- [43:18]
Derek Hough
Look at that.
- [43:19]
Andy Cohen
You Know this. This thing, that's one thing. But you know that. Look at the back of this thing.
- [43:25]
Jordan Kimball
Is there what's on the back?
- [43:27]
Andy Cohen
Supposed to be.
- [43:28]
Jordan Kimball
It's a line. Just a line.
- [43:30]
Andy Cohen
But I mean, it looks like. Like a crack over an orifice or something.
- [43:34]
Jordan Kimball
Oh, my gosh. It wouldn't be fitting if.
- [43:36]
Andy Cohen
It's definitely better in the front.
- [43:37]
Jordan Kimball
It's fitting that it's you two. And we just had the most sentimental, like, honestly, special conversation we've had on this show. And then you rip your shirt off.
- [43:44]
Andy Cohen
After we constantly make each other cry, and then immediately like, yeah, yeah, it's.
- [43:52]
Jordan Kimball
I love it. I love it, though, because it is crazy. Like you said, it's a ballroom competition. Yeah. Some people might still be watching this right now and be like, what are these guys even talking about? But unless you experience it, you don't understand how much this show opens up your emotions. The fact that you just loved it so much you could feel it.
- [44:10]
Andy Cohen
Yeah.
- [44:10]
Jordan Kimball
It's just not going to be the same, guys. I'm sad. I'm sad. Should we go talk to someone? Should we find a way to get you back on Justice?
- [44:18]
Andy Cohen
Well, we could. Nancy Kerrigan, somebody. I don't even know if it works that way. No, I did and I did tonight. I said, like, no, this was fun. And it did get fun. And, yeah, there were times when it was really nerve wracking and it's a ton of work and it consumes your life. And there were times when we were going further and it was like, are we gonna keep sticking around? And I had moments of like, like, you know what? Maybe I would like my life back. You know, maybe that would be a good thing. And then it just got to a point where a. Well, first of all, I have to say, the beautiful pros on this show, the beautiful pros on this show made me feel that I belonged here and that I deserve to be here. And they said it so early and so often that I had no choice but to believe them.
- [45:13]
Jordan Kimball
You did.
- [45:13]
Andy Cohen
And it. And was it. And it made all the people that were mad that I was still here. It made it absolutely insignificant because the people that know which are the pros that are here embraced me and made me feel so loved and so valuable to the whole thing. Like, I didn't feel like, oh, I'm like this kind of charity case that they're helping along. They're like, no, you. You're a member of the team that is keeping this show, that is making the show a juggernaut. You know, that's like getting more votes than ever. And I, and I just couldn't feel more gratitude to just the beautiful people on this show.
- [45:54]
Jordan Kimball
You did have a bunch of fandies this season, which is a great name for your fans. Yeah, I do have a message.
- [45:59]
Andy Cohen
It took long enough for somebody to figure that out. Just, I mean, obviously, thank you. Thank you. And that it is an honor that they, first of all, all the creative ways that they showed their appreciation and Halloween costumes and signs at the, you know, at marathons. But I just feel like I won a big prize in that people. 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, and headbands on their babies. It's just because we were making people happy. And I mean, I. What else, what else in the universe in the history. What better thing is there, you know.
- [47:01]
Jordan Kimball
The most important thing you get to do every week? Is there anyone you're pulling for for the rest of this competition?
- [47:08]
Andy Cohen
Well, you know, it's so hard to do that because they're all great. They're all great. But I will say that Robert Irwin is sunshine personified. He's just such a beautiful person and is so positive and so lovely and brings warmth and love and light everywhere he goes. And, and he's also a hell of a dancer. Yeah, it's like a world class athlete.
- [47:38]
Jordan Kimball
I know.
- [47:38]
Andy Cohen
You know, it's crazy from jumping on crocodiles, I guess.
- [47:41]
Jordan Kimball
I know. I was like, where's the dance experience? I guess it was dancing around crocodiles.
- [47:44]
Derek Hough
Right, Right.
- [47:45]
Jordan Kimball
No, he's, he's a star.
- [47:46]
Andy Cohen
Yeah.
- [47:47]
Emma Slater
Yeah.
- [47:48]
Andy Cohen
But I mean, I, I would be thrilled if anybody that's left one. It would be a beautiful story. It would be a deserving person and, and I would cheer my head off for them.
- [48:02]
Jordan Kimball
But you do deserve to be here, Andy. There would be no season 34 without Andy. And that's very, very true. And I just, I love, I do.
- [48:09]
Andy Cohen
Feel bad that the whole thing's gonna go downhill for you.
- [48:11]
Emma Slater
Yes, I know.
- [48:12]
Jordan Kimball
Hey, not your fault.
- [48:14]
Derek Hough
Yeah, can't complain.
- [48:15]
Andy Cohen
We tried, but, you know, well, sorry, ratings plummet.
- [48:20]
Jordan Kimball
Well, we are so excited to see you guys dance again in the finale. I cannot wait for that. I know you're gonna have something cooked up that's gonna be amazing.
- [48:27]
Emma Slater
I guess. Yeah, I'll find out soon. Something that'll be fun.
- [48:30]
Tom Bergeron
Yeah.
- [48:30]
Andy Cohen
I did everyone was saying goodbye to me. I was like, I'm just taking a week off. I'm contractually obligated to be here the week after. So I'll be. I'll be back. I'll be back.
- [48:42]
Jordan Kimball
It'll be a tough one.
- [48:43]
Andy Cohen
They better leave the sign by my parking space.
- [48:47]
Jordan Kimball
That sign's always there for you, man. You're going to be welcome back anytime. But thank you for sitting with us. Thank you.
- [48:51]
Andy Cohen
Thanks for having us.
- [48:53]
Emma Slater
Thank you.
- [48:54]
Jordan Kimball
Well, guys, that's the end of tonight's 20th birthday party. And dancing Dance with the Stars is another year older. It is amazing that the show has been around for this long. And thank you to all of you who have been such incredible fans over the years. We will be back here next week for the Season 34 semifinals, which means there are only two more weeks until we crown the next champion. Who's it going to be? As always, make sure to catch Dancing with the Stars every Tuesday live on ABC and Disney and the next day on Hulu. And then get your exclusive look behind the scenes right here on the Dance with the Stars official podcast every Thursday on Disney plus and Hulu. And wherever you get your podcasts, we'll see you guys next week. This has been a BBC Studios production for ABC and Disney plus.