Tom Bergeron didn’t hold back in a candid conversation with The Hollywood Reporter on November 10. “I’ll be honest with you. I did not like the showrunner,” he confessed. “He knew that. I didn’t like being lied to, and he did that. So when he got fired, I think when Twitter was still a thing, I posted, ‘Karma is a b—h.'” This past feud, however, hasn’t deterred Tom from returning to the world of ballroom dancing.

The question arises: Why would Tom consider a comeback to the show after such a contentious experience? The answer lies in the return of a familiar face. When Conrad Green, the original showrunner for Dancing with the Stars, resumed his role for season 31 after departing the series at the end of season 27, Tom felt a renewed sense of confidence.

“I couldn’t be happier that the people who are running the show now are running the show,” Tom explained, expressing his satisfaction with the current leadership. “But to be honest, the 20th anniversary, in other people’s hands, would not have lured me back.” His endorsement of Green is a testament to the trust and respect he holds for the showrunner’s vision.

Tom elaborated further, saying, “It was really because Conrad’s there, and you can tell. Just look at what the show is doing. It’s having a resurgence. It’s doing things that I can’t imagine many, if any, 20-year-old shows have done. They’ve been on a ratings tear.” The success of the show seems to have exceeded even Tom’s expectations.

Reflecting on the show’s current achievements, Tom added with a touch of humor, “You’re more likely to see a zebra playing the piano than watch the success they’re having.” His colorful commentary underscores the remarkable resurgence and popularity that Dancing with the Stars is enjoying under its revitalized leadership.