The fans are divided on the Dancing With The Stars 2020 changes that include a new host, a replacement judge, and a virtual audience. This year, ABC decided to give a new look and feel to DWTS. Some of these decisions were just production choices, while others were somewhat forced upon the show given the current state of the world. On one hand, a series that has been running for 29 seasons is perhaps in need of a few changes to keep things fresh for the viewers at home. Alternatively, it's hard to argue against a tried-and-true format that has kept a TV show running for 15 years.
Regardless of the reasoning behind these changes, the fans are split on some of the new elements that were introduced to Dancing With The Stars season 29. While the show tries to honor its traditions while also altering a few things, the fans are entitled to reacting to what they're seeing on TV and voicing their opinions. At the end of the day, the DWTS fans just want to watch famous people learning a new skill and pushing themselves in a new way. For that exact reason, some of the modifications made to the format are perhaps getting in the way of viewers simply enjoying a show that they keep coming back for.
The biggest changes on DWTS 2020 include the show's new host, the panel's replacement judge, and the lack of a real audience to clap and boo. This season has introduced Tyra Banks as the new host of the show. She is replacing Tom Bergeron, who hosted the show for 28 seasons, and Erin Andrews, who was brought on as a co-host on season 18. Certain fans didn't like Tyra as a host at all, but other viewers are just upset that they don't get to see Tom hosting the show anymore. The other big change is the replacement of longtime judge Len Goodman with veteran DWTS professional dancer Derek Hough. It is of note that Len has been replaced because he is unable to travel from the United Kingdom to the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's fair to say that the Dancing With The Stars fans love Derek as a dancer, but they also miss Len as a judge.
The last major reaction that the Dancing With The Stars fans are sharing has to do with the lack of a live audience during this season. Unfortunately, this choice has nothing to do with production but everything to do with the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. Shows like Big Brother have done away with a live audience completely, but DWTS has introduced digitally-inserted claps and boos that are rubbing some of the fans the wrong way.
Nonetheless, it's great news that Dancing With The Stars 2020 is finally back on TV. The show must go on even in the midst of a health pandemic, and the network was left without too many options when it comes to some of these decisions.
Dancing With The Stars season 29 airs weekly at 8pm EST on ABC.