DWTS’ premiere plans revealed after furious fans call for show to make major schedule change
DANCING With the Stars has revealed its final plans for the Season 32 premiere.
But fans and union members have called for the show to make a schedule change.
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Despite pushback from the Writer’s Guild of America, DWTS will keep its premiere date of Tuesday, September 26.
This is the first time the show will air on Tuesdays instead of its typical Mondays.
The WGA is currently on strike, and causing many shows to halt production because they don’t have writers.
However, Variety reported that the competition show employs over 500 people, and only one writer.
A source told the outlet that DWTS “will be working in compliance with SAG-AFTRA rules, and a key focus is not to put talent in a tough spot, given that many Season 32 cast members are part of the actors’ guild.”
This season’s contestants such as Matt Walsh and Alyson Hannigan are part of the SAG-AFTRA.
Another insider added: “Another major key consideration was ensuring that the large staff would not be out of work.”
“Everyone’s focus is to keep 500 people employed,” a production source told the outlet.
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They also added that the writer, who works only with the hosts, will be back to work as soon as the strike ends.
DWTS still aired during the last strike in 2007 to 2008.
FOLLOWING SAG RULES
Contestants are still allowed to compete because DWTS is under a different contract, according to the SAG-AFTRA rules.
The show runs on the National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting, or the Network Code, which allows SAG actors to appear on that show.
Many of the reality and competition shows follow this practice.
Along with Matt and Alyson, Jamie Lynn Spears, Barry Williams, Mira Sorvino, Ariana Madix, and Xochitl Gomez are also part of the SAG union.
A source also told Variety that none of the competitors packages will include clips from their past TV and film projects, in compliance with the SAG strike rules.
So, fans won’t see clips of Barry in The Brady Brunch or Alyson in Buffy or How I Met Your Mother.
GETTING CALLED OUT
DWTS has gotten called out for not delaying their new season, despite many others, including talk shows pushing back their premiere dates.
WGA member David Slack blasted the show on X, formerly Twitter.
“Dancing with the Stars is a WGA-covered show. Its writers are on strike, and they can’t make the show without scab writing. Hope @alfonso_ribeiro @juliannehough @misterhough @MiraSorvino @alydenisof & @jason_mraz do the right thing and refuse to cross our picket line. #WGAStrong,” he tweeted.
David continued: “By appearing on a WGA-covered show using scab writing, anyone appearing on Dancing With the Stars will be emboldening the AMPTP to refuse to make deals while they wait to see if scab writing works. Please don’t cross our picket lines @mrmattwalsh @tysoncbeckford @carrieanninaba.”
Former pro, Cheryl Burke, also spoke up about DWTS airing Season 32 on the original premiere date.
“At the end of the day, we have to stick together because that’s the only way to ever make any significant change. I don’t think it’s gonna be good for the show, to be quite honest, in the long run,” she told Variety.
“I understand what they’re thinking and I get it. It’s a business, but there is no business without the rest of the business… I think they should hold tight. I think we need to stand as one. We need to unite for real and not just say we’re united.”
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