Yesterday, we reported that Tom Bergeron, who had hosted the show “Dancing With The Stars” since its premiere in 2005, had been fired by the show. Now, Tom Bergeron’s replacement has been revealed, and the choice told fans everything they needed to know about why the beloved host was fired.
Tom Bergeron’s “Dancing With The Stars” Replacement Is Revealed
People Magazine reported that it was revealed on Wednesday morning that supermodel Tyra Banks will be replacing Bergeron and his cohost Erin Andrews as the solo host of “Dancing With The Stars.”
This was confirmed on today’s episode of “Good Morning America.” Banks will also take over as the show’s executive producer.
“It’s nice to be first so you can open that door and let so many people in after you.”
@tyrabanks says she’s excited to be the new host of @dancingABC!
Banks will be the show's first solo host and the show's first African-American female host. https://t.co/ZGK6MpSV6Z pic.twitter.com/O7fz8BeAAs
— Good Morning America (@GMA) July 15, 2020
“I am excited about hosting and executive producing — getting in there, live TV, you never know what happens on live TV,” Banks said today.
RELATED: Celebrities And Fans Hit Back After ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Fires Tom Bergeron
Tyra Banks Celebrates Being First Black Host Of “DWTS”
The 46-year-old went on to express her excitement at being the first black host of “Dancing With The Stars.”
“I like breaking these doors down so that we don’t have any more firsts, but it’s nice to be first so that you can open that door and let so many people in after you,” Banks said, going on to add, “I’m used to the model [firsts], but today’s the first time I’m hearing this first Dancing with the Stars black woman, I never even thought of that.”
Banks is conveniently ignoring the fact that the first season of “Dancing With The Stars” was hosted by Tom Bergeron and Lisa Canning, a black woman.
She’s not the first black host, season 1 Lisa Canning was the host. She needs to get her facts straight pic.twitter.com/Tsh4yexXyu
— Maria Rios-Peña 📚❤💃🏼🐶🐶🐱👩🏼🍳 (@chilosa2004) July 15, 2020
The former host of “America’s Next Top Model” and “America’s Got Talent” also let fans of “DWTS” know that she has some big changes in mind for the series.
“Let’s just keep this real, it’s gonna be so next level,” she revealed. “We’re doing all this crazy stuff, taking it to the next level, but still keeping the stuff America loves. But you need to get ready because it’s gonna be different.”
RELATED: Sean Spicer Defiantly Defends Conservatives As ‘Good People’ While On ‘Dancing With The Stars’
Why Was Tom Bergeron Fired?
So why would “Dancing With The Stars” fire the show’s wildly popular and longtime host? It certainly wasn’t job performance related.
Tom Bergeron not only won an Emmy for his work hosting DWTS, but was also nominated for eight others during his tenure.
Given this and his popularity among fans, it seems obvious to many why he was fired.
Tom Bergeron is a ‘privileged’ white male. And so this decision by ABC plays directly to the liberal outrage mob demanding prioritization of POC.
At face value, Tyra Banks is a choice that satisfies both feminists and Black Lives Matter activists alike.
DWTS Fans Are Furious
Unfortunately for “DWTS”, this move already seems to be backfiring on them. While Banks offers an impressive resume, fans are not happy that she’s taking beloved host Bergeron’s job.
And those fans are making no secret of their unhappiness about Tom Bergeron’s replacement:
No thank you! She’s Uber annoying, terrible choice! You made a bad move DWTS, I vote you OUT.
— Juliette Salinger ❤️⚾️? (@DgrAzul75) July 15, 2020
So you fired two White people because they are white? You are racists. Do you now feel like you are good liberals? I like Tyra Banks but she isn’t a great host. Pandering is so pathetic.
— bukisan (@bukisan) July 15, 2020
Tom with his quick wit & Erin with her humanity were the constant bright point on the show. without them the show that has struggled will undoubtedly fall apart. I will not watch what is sure to be DWTS last season
— SB (@spot1goat) July 15, 2020
This is a GARGANTUAN mistake. Tom was the main reason we continued watching. His wit along with the chemistry he had with Erin and the cast was second to none. You did Tom and Erin wrong. Tyra is NOT a good match for this. #BringBackBergeron
— Chase McKinney (@chase_mckinney) July 15, 2020
It’s one thing replace a bad host with a black person, but it’s not ok to replace a well loved and successful host who has been there for 15 years just for the sake of satisfying the mob.
— Teresa❤️?? (@TeresaLynn0927) July 15, 2020
Will This Pay Off For ABC?
Bergeron had long been considered to be one of the most beloved people on the program. That’s why fans were shocked when he was unceremoniously fired this week.
“Tom Bergeron will forever be part of the Dancing with the Stars family,” ABC said in a statement about his departure. “As we embark on a new creative direction, he departs the show with our sincerest thanks and gratitude for his trademark wit and charm that helped make this show a success.”
It remains to be seen whether this move will pay off for ABC, but based on the response today from fans, it seems that the network may have made a huge mistake on this one.