PureDWTS Season 21, Week 4: Tom Bergeron to Miss Tomorrow’s Show, Alfonso Ribeiro Filling in
It is with a heavy heart that we report that, tomorrow night, Tom Bergeron will miss hosting DWTS for the first time – due to an illness in the family:
All of us at Pure are sending love, light, and prayers to Tom & his family during what is inevitably a very tough time. We will certainly miss him tomorrow night – but if he must miss it, I can’t think of any better way to spend that time than with family in need.
People is reporting that Alfonso will be filling in tomorrow night, which is a probably a surprise to just about NOBODY considering that someone asked me on Twitter who would be filling in for Tom tomorrow night, and I jokingly said “Alfonso’s probably available, lol”. And not 10 minutes later, People posted this.
Though host Tom Bergeron will miss Monday’s episode Dancing with the Stars, there will still be a co-host working alongside Erin Andrews.
Season 19 champion Alfonso Ribeiro is stepping in while Bergeron is spending time with his ailing father, a DWTS source confirms to PEOPLE.
Let the bitching & moaning commence…but I would keep this in mind: there probably weren’t a ton of relevant, available tv hosts on speed dial for TPTB to call in at the 11th hour, and as annoying/arrogant/etc. as some of you might find him, the dude does love DWTS, and always avails himself when they need him.
Perhaps the box that Victor stood on to talk to Erin is still available. lol
Prayers to Tom and his family, I’m sure Alfonso will do fine, family comes first
Praying for Tom and his father. Can’t imagine what he is going through now. Family is always first so I’m happy to hear he wants to be with his father. My thoughts are with him.
On the topic of Alfonso, as soon as I saw that Tom would miss tomorrow I knew they’d get him to fill in for him. I love Erin and all but I’m glad she won’t be hosting the show all on her own. I know people are sick of Alfonso being all over DWTS, but I guess I can take him for one more night. I think he’ll be more fun as a host than as a guest judge.
On second thought, couldn’t we get Miss Piggy instead? He he he..
I’m surprised Maks didn’t call and ask for it so he’d have an actual reason to be there on show night LOL!
LOL at Donna, post #4. I was just about to say the same thing. It would be more productive for Maks to host instead of just hanging out in the red room trying to stay out of everyone’s way like he usually does.
I don’t really care who hosts. I am glad Tom is where he needs to be and am sending my prayers to he and his family.
As annoying and arrogant as I find Alfonso, I’m glad he made it easy for Tom to be where he needs to be. Sending prayers to Tom and his dad!
I will miss our beloved Tom Bergeron; but he needs to be beside his father. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his father and family.
Oh God! Poor Tom! Hope his dad’s OK. Nothing against Alfonso, but more variety in guests couldn’t hurt.
I don’t think I hate anyone more — Alfonso was completely unbearable as guest judge last week– wish it was drew lachey!
Blessings to Tom and his family at this difficult time.
Ahhhhh Alfonso again 🙁 Well I really liked him in SSn19 but now I don’t know anymore can’t imagine anyone who can fill in Tom’s shoes.
So sorry to hear about Tom’s father, and I hope they both can find some comfort and love in the time they spend together.
While Tom is the glue that holds our silly dance show together, and his poise and empathy will be missed on what will surely be an emotional night – Alfonso is a fine replacement on short notice. While *I* may not like him at all – never have, and likely never will – he’s immensely popular, experienced at hosting, and well-known to the DWTS world. Makes perfect sense to me. Plus as much as I didn’t care for him as a judge, I’m pretty sure he’s better suited for the hosting, keeping-things-moving-along role than a judging one.
And hey, he happens to be filling Tom’s shoes in another show – in case you didn’t know (that part is sarcasm).
Exactly, Fig – I can’t think of anyone better equipped to handle the job on such short notice. Seeing a lot of “But why couldn’t they have gotten [insert random person here] instead???”, and I don’t think people realize that TPTB had less than 24 hours to come up with a replacement – and it’s not like every celeb that has ever done the show (and would make a suitable host) is just sitting around in L.A., waiting for the phone to ring.
Exactly – and some of the more likely candidates are not only not as likely to be available – they aren’t necessarily used to the current regime – like Drew Lachey and Joey Fatone. It’s been YEARS since they were on the show, whereas Alfonso is fresh and comfortable with the machinations of the present day infrastructure and personnel – and again, years of hosting experience, plus the added benefit of seeing him host to promote AFV. It’s the perfect scenario for an unfortunate situation.
Sending comforting thoughts to Tom and his family and hoping for the best outcome for them! Knowing Alfonso is covering for him will relieve Tom’s mind.
Most memorable year is a particularly tricky night for the host. So having someone who is both experienced at hosting and has been through the DWTS experience is pretty important. Hopefully he’ll be able to provide the calm support and encouragement that the celebs need.
Alfonso is almost certainly the best possible fillin. I’m only worried about what happens when they get to Alek.
It’s not easy doing Tom’s job on the show. He makes it LOOK easy, because he’s so awesome it. Alfonzo is clearly comfortable on camera and on the show. Considering the short notice, it’s sort of a no brainer having Alfonzo fill in.
Sending comforting thoughts to Tom and his family.
Lol wait, what? Maks hangs out in the red room? How have I not noticed this! 🙂
I think Alfonso will have broader appeal as a host than a judge, as long as he isn’t overly serious.
Thanks Alfonso for filling it, I’m sure it gives Tom as much peace of mind as is possible right now.
He may not be my favorite and Tom’s shoes are impossible to fill, saying that, you could tell by his judging comments that he’s seen every episode this season so he’ll have some sense of continuity, that with his own experience on the show, experience hosting the tour, and other hosting experience, I agree that he’s the best choice under the circumstances.
Agreed Cidra- that on an emotional night such as Memorable Week – it requires a deft touch and I do think Alfonso will be just fine.
I was just thinking about Bindi’s dance tonight and Tom’s situation and I already became emotional. I lost my father at seven due to a sudden accident (drunk driver hit him as he was crossing the street) and I really appreciate how Bindi has approached her life – not feeling sorry for herself, but rather appreciating what time she did have him and using his influence as a guiding light – I’ve tried to do the same – and I’m sure Steve would be so proud of her.
So sad about Tom. I went through that a couple of years ago and you just have to be there. I never regret traveling to be with my dad at the end.
Alfonso is the only logical choice really and I don’t mind. I just thought some of his remarks judging sounded preachy to me. He knows how the show works, no worries.
I haven’t seen Maks in the red room this season, but hasn’t been in Ohio for Peta’s surgery and rehab?
@Sam. Why exactly would Alfonso have a harder time when it comes time for Alek to dance?
Fig, I also appreciate how Bindi approaches her life and the example she’s setting for others. I, too, lost a parent young (my mother lost her life to cancer when I was 11). My dad (like Bindi’s mom) encouraged me to look back with joy (remembering the good times) but to live my life forward with positivity rather than regret. I was blessed to have my dad for many decades before he passed three years ago.
Sending thoughts and prayers to Tom and his Family. Having lost my father I would give anything to spend some more time with him now.
I don’t care who hosts tonight show. Alfonso loves the show. So it’s all good by me.
I do hope Erin is on the floor and Fonz is backstage .. She deserves a shot, just like how Tess is now the main host for strictly in the UK (she got promoted).
Thinking of Tom and his family
OzJustin, I disagree. I think Erin’s just fine where she is–playing sideline reporter is what she’s used to. She doesn’t have the experience to handle Tom’s role. Besides, I doubt Alfonso would be willing to play Robin to her Batman.
#22 Jill, Maks is hanging out in the hallway outside the red room this season. You can usually see him on the red room camera several times during the course of the show loitering outside the door. I guess he doesn’t want people thinking he hangs out in there or anything LOL
As far as people being doubtful that Alfonso would be “Robin to Erin’s Batman”…during his season for the group dance I do believe he allowed Mark to “call the shots” and choreograph even though he & Witney were the group leaders. He knows what it takes to get it done. Tom likes Alfonso and obviously so do producers. I’m guessing tons of DWTS fans do also as I don’t recall anyone having to get “Ralphed” during his season. A la season 20.
Will definitely miss Tom this week but glad he’s able to be by his dad’s side as that’s whats most important. Wishing he and his family the best.
@Jill: I’m not saying that Alfonso will be a trainwreck, merely that I don’t know if he’ll be able to “switch gears” the way Tom did with his “just be a dad” moment with Willow, if that proves necessary.
I can’t imagine what’s going through Alek’s head today.
Lex, Yes, Alfonso knows what it takes to get things done. He wanted to win, so he let the more seasoned pro (Mark) take the lead in the group dance. This just reinforces my point that he wouldn’t want to play second fiddle to Erin. In this situation Alfonso has more cred as an entertainment host than she does. So I think he’d feel it would be in the show’s best interest to have him in Tom’s role and Erin in her usual role rather than having two people in unfamiliar roles.
Sam, I doubt Alfonso will have to do anything out of the ordinary for Alek. Not only is Alek a 22-year-old man (not a 14-year-old girl), he’s also a soldier. He’s been trained to not let his emotions control him.
I think what Lindsay does is *more* important. Hopefully she’ll remind Alek not to listen to the intro and help distract him during the inevitable overly melodramatic package TPTB will play right before they dance.
Add me to the list of well wishers for Tom, that He and his family take care of themselves the best they can. Let’s all stay positive and enjoy tonight’s show…Tom would want that!
I’ m hoping that they just don’t give to much attention to this tragedy in Oregon. Publicity to these kind of things inspires more crazies to shoot up school.
They guy who killed the reporter and camerman said he was inspired by the church killings. I hope they don’t give it a lot (or any) time.
@Jill – Considering that Alek left rehearsal on Thursday to return home to Roseburg and didn’t come back to LA until yesterday, I doubt you’re going to get your wish of the show ignoring the shooting completely. It will likely play a major role in Alek’s package tonight – as it probably should.
Just now tuning in on the west coast and saw Alfonso subbing for Tom. Sending my thoughts to Tom, his father and family. <3