Tom Bergeron Shares Details of Wild ‘DWTS’ Cast Parties

Former “Dancing With the Stars” host Tom Bergeron is dishing on the parties he used to throw for the show’s cast and crew. “At the heyday of the show, [I wanted] the different departments to mingle,” he told TV Insider. “The benefit was that, post-party, I’d hear stories of hangovers and hookups.”

Bergeron admitted he got a little too wild himself sometimes, at one party in particular. “I must admit, I partied a little too hardy, and another staff member and I were walking down the stairs,” he explained, adding that he suddenly realized he was very drunk.

“The paparazzi was at the bottom of the stairs. And thankfully, whoever the coworker was, tripped and fell down the stairs,” the veteran host continued. “All the cameras turned to him. I think it ended up on TMZ. I got off easy.”

Bergeron Shared Some Memorable ‘DWTS’ Moments

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Bergeron hosted “DWTS” from its debut season in 2005 until season 28 in 2020. He was let go from the series after a controversial casting decision, and has been outspoken about his feelings on the matter.

Bergeron took issue with the show’s choice to cast former press secretary Sean Spicer, not wanting any political discourse to be associated with “DWTS.” It’s not about my political beliefs. It’s about what is this show at its best,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.

But Bergeron doesn’t seem to have lingering hard feelings, and has very fond memories of the show.

“There were pleasant surprises, like Jerry Springer [in Season 3], who turned out to be the sweetest — he did the show to learn how to waltz for his daughter’s wedding,” Bergeron told TV Insider. He also bonded with a sitcom icon during season 11. “Florence Henderson and I had a friendship,” he shared. “After she competed, she’d come back and we’d go drinking. Boy, did she have stories.”

How Bergeron Feels About Current Host Alfonso Ribeiro

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As for how Bergeron feels about Alfonso Ribeiro, his successor on “DWTS,” it turns out he’s a huge fan.

“I’m a big Alfonso advocate,” he said. “When I decided to leave ‘America’s Funniest Videos,’ I [told] ABC, ‘This is the guy who should follow me,'” Bergeron revealed. “He had just come off the [‘DWTS’] win. He’s the perfect family-friendly host. We’ve stayed good friends.”

Bergeron was coy, however, when it came to the question of whether he’d ever return to the show in any capacity. “I’m going full Ringo: peace and love,” he said. “I have great fondness for the impact that ‘DWTS’ had on my career and the friendships that resulted.”