It seems like the “Dancing with the Stars” ballroom just got a whole lot more exciting. After five years away, Tom Bergeron is making his grand return; but not to host. Instead, he’ll be stepping behind the judges’ table for the show’s massive 20th Birthday Party Night on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Yep, the man who helped make DWTS a household name is back, but this time, he’s not worrying about the “technical stuff.”
He’s Making a Big Comeback
In an interview with ABC News’ Diane Macedo, Bergeron said his original showrunner, Conrad Green, “offered me on the 500th show an opportunity to come sit in the audience, and that didn’t feel right. I thought I’d be too fidgety sitting there. So, I suggested for the 20th coming back as a guest judge.”
That decision definitely feels very Bergeron. Because he’s never been one to just sit still, and clearly, he wanted to make this return meaningful. Both for himself and for the fans who’ve missed him.
Tom Bergeron: Not Counting Steps
So what kind of judge will Bergeron be? Definitely not the one handing out technical critiques. He made that crystal clear, telling Macedo, “I think, look, the technical stuff the other three are going to handle. I’m into, what did you… Did you move me in any way? Did you make me laugh, cry, goosebumps? Did you make me look for the exits? It can go anywhere. But that’s kind of where I come from.”
In other words, Bergeron’s judging style is going to be pure feeling. Forget foot placement; he’s there for the magic. And honestly, that’s kind of refreshing. The show’s other judges (Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli) already have the technical side covered. Bergeron? He’s bringing the heart.
And when Macedo asked if he’d be willing to hand out some honest criticism, he didn’t hesitate. “Oh, yeah. Oh, sure. Yeah. Bashfulness has never been my issue,” Burgeron said, laughing. Sounds like we can expect the same witty, no-nonsense energy fans loved during his hosting years.
Getty (Emma McIntyre)A Celebration Worth Tuning In For
This return isn’t just about nostalgia… it’s about celebrating the DWTS legacy with one of the people who helped build it. Bergeron hosted the show from 2005 to 2019 and became a huge part of why fans fell in love with the series in the first place.
And after his 2020 exit, it seemed unlikely he’d come back. But now? He’s doing it his way; instead of asking for a big appearance fee, Bergeron pitched something a little more meaningful. Back in July 2025, he told the New York Post, “At lunch with Conrad, I offered a way that I’d feel comfortable going back for one night. I said, ‘I’m not even going to charge you a lot of money. You pay me scale, and then you make a generous contribution to the Motion Picture and Television Fund, and I’ll be there.’” Class act, right?
Let’s be real; seeing Tom back in the ballroom feels like a full-circle moment. He’s not just revisiting his old stomping grounds; he’s reclaiming them, laughter and all. And something tells us, he’s going to make this one heck of a party.
Fans can catch Tom Burgeron’s “Dancing with the Stars” return for the show’s 20th Birthday Party Night next Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 8:00pm ET on ABC and Disney+, streaming next day on Hulu.
