Rob Wade Talks On Who Is Staying And Who Is Leaving Dancing With The Stars, More Finale Interviews
There has been much speculation about Cheryl Burke and whether she will be back on the next season of Dancing With The Stars. According to Executive Producer Rob Wade, she’s decided to exit the show. Tuesday night was her last night. Below is more from The Wrap. Note that he also says Len Goodman and Julianne Hough will be returning to judge full time next season.
ETA: You can read more with Rob Wade at this link. He talks about ratings, his vision for the 10th anniversary, and more.
Wade feels that the popular pro’s exit gives the series a chance to highlight other dancers.
“We’ll only survive as a show if we keep innovating and changing. It’s very sad to see cast members leave, but again that gives you the opportunity to grow. So, I’m quite positive about having the opportunity to bring new people in or bring back some of the old faces.”
Additionally, head judge Len Goodman, who took a several weeks off this past season due to conflicts with shooting the show’s U.K. version, will be back full-time on Season 20. And although there’s some scheduling conflicts still to be resolved, Julianne Hough is also contracted to return in the spring to the judges’ table.
“A judging panel isn’t about individuals. It’s about chemistry. That has happened remarkably quickly for Julianne in that role,” Wade said. “I couldn’t be happier.”
“I think the ballroom experience and the dance experience and the star quality and vibrancy that Julianne has brought to the panel has been exceptional,” he continued. “I also think that the way that Carrie Ann [Inaba], Bruno [Tonioli] and Len have embraced her and have individually been so great this season, as well, has been wonderful. I think it shows their character that they can do that. The three of them have been absolutely wonderful in welcoming Julianne in and I think it has been lovely to watch.”
Sad, I’m going to miss Cheryl. I hope she changes her mind…especially for my Dad’s sake. For the full article, see The Wrap. Thanks to Lisa for the heads up on this news. Below are some interviews with The Wrap from last night as well….
Cheryl had an awesome run on the show and definitely will be missed. I really hope that Sharna gets her spot and they go back to twelve couples though.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Cheryl. There’s been seasons when I kinda didn’t like her but there’s also been seasons where I just loved her to pieces (Jack Osbourne). Kinda bittersweet to hear she won’t be back but like Vin said, she’s had a great run. Two mirrorballs under her belt so I wouldn’t complain 😛
Now I know it is too early to make wish lists on the pros but with Cheryl gone then I would like Lindsay to replace her. I just think she deserves another shot as a pro and see how it goes. So for me, I’d want Lindsay, Witney, Peta, Emma, Sharna, Karina and Allison. Lots of blonde hair… I know… Lol.
Interesting Len will be back. Still not a fan of 4 judges though!
The spring season is MUCH easier on Len. The fall season…I can’t even imagine. Flying back and forth to the UK is brutal from the Central time zone…I can’t imagine doing the round trip every single week from the pacific time zone. And I”m WAY younger than Len. I can’t even.
So I guess judging is out of the question for Maks. I still have a feeling we’ll see him back as a pro when his acting career goes nowhere. Jewelry pimper isn’t enough of a spotlight for him and his ego.
Will miss Cheryl. 🙁 Her and Edyta were the pros that got me started on the show.
While I love Cheryl and a lot of the older pros, I am excited about new pros (though I hope we can get some more pros who aren’t just from the SYTYCD factory). However, for a 20th season, it would be cool for it to be all old pros just to bring them back. Maybe do a giant cast of 20 and have a few double eliminations then shorten the season. Sorry I’m rambling lol
I am going to miss Cheryl too. I loved that special way she had of whipping her partners into shape. She wasn’t afraid to tell them what she thought. She had me cracking up continually with Rob Kardashian especially.
Thanks @Princess Heidi for the info. I couldn’t do flying back and forth either.
I read they may be bringing back the results show? I think that’s a mistake to do that. I also hope it’s not an ‘All Star Season’. I want to see new people!
I’d love to see them bring back the results show as long as it’s not silly filler and musical guests I’ve never heard of. I’ll take 55 minutes of pro dances and Tom/Erin outtakes and 5 minutes of elimination!
Regardless of how well Rob Wade thinks Julianne did as a judge, I still think 4 judges is one too many, its too chaotic, and I miss the tight chemistry among CAI, Len and Bruno. i’m glad Len will be back for Season 20. I feel he is the glue of the judges panel. I will also miss Cheryl. I loved how she got her celebrity men in line and made dancers out of them. She didn’t take any nonsense from them. It’ll be a loss not to have her not the show, but I really wish her all the best in her new endeavors.
20th anniversary season seems like a fitting time for Len to bow out, 20 seasons is an amazing effort.
Cheryl will be missed, would like to see her as a guest judge or a fill in for Julianne if she needs to miss a few shows
I’ll miss Cheryl..her last few seasons, she did pretty good! Only season, I didn’t really care for her was the OTT sexuality with William Levy in S14. I don’t care for it when Peta does it either, tbh.
I think Julianne should PERMANENTLY replace Carrie-Ann. CAI uses her loins when judging certain male contestants. I think she’s lost ALL objectivity and is overcome with emotion by the fake ‘showmances’.