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Tyra Banks Named New Host and Executive Producer of ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Photo: JPI

On the heels of the departures of Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews as hosts of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, comes word of just who the new host will be!

That gig is going to none other than former America’s Top Model host. Tyra Banks, who will also serve as the ballroom-dance competition’s executive producer for its upcoming 29th season set to air later this fall.

DWTS is watching very closely the coronavirus pandemic of just how and when they can begin production and how the show will look.

With the pick of Banks to helm the show,  ABC said that the team is planning to refresh the format, while “honoring the show America loves”.  DWTS is produced by BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm, alongside Andrew Llinares.

In a statement, Tyra Banks expressed: “I’ve been a fan of DWTS since its beginning. The fun mixed with raw emotion, seeing celebrities push past their comfort zones, the sizzling dance performances, it’s always transported me to my days of turning it up 10 notches on the catwalk. Tom has set a powerful stage, and I’m excited to continue the legacy and put on my executive producer and hosting hats.”

Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment shared: “Tom has been an integral part of the ABC family for nearly two decades, from hosting AFV to Dancing with the Stars – we are grateful for all he and Erin have done to make Dancing a success.  As we gear up for the show’s 29th season, we can’t wait to welcome Tyra Banks to our Dancing stage. Tyra is an award-winning multi-hyphenate whose fierce female prowess and influence across many industries have made an indelible mark. Her fresh take on America’s favorite dancing competition will surely bring more than a ‘Smize’ to fans everywhere.”

Valerie Bruce, general manager, LA Productions, BBC Studios, added, “Tyra Banks is an icon whose powerful presence, trademark confidence, and industry-leading achievements inspire us. We are proud to partner with ABC to welcome her as the new host of Dancing with the Stars. This represents a landmark moment in our 28 seasons producing Dancing with the Stars as we take this iconic show in a new creative direction. We offer our sincere thanks to Tom and Erin, whom we will always consider part of the Dancing with the Stars family.”

So, what do you think of Tyra as the new host and EP of Dancing with the Stars?  How will she liven up the format of the show? Comment below.

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Tom Bergeron was the main reason to watch the show, especially since they have so few actual “stars” on it anymore. Who are these contestants? Tyra Banks = ugh! No reason for me to watch now; and one very big reason to not tune in.

Big big mistake, Tom made the show what is is. Won’t be the same at all. A big fail now. I’m sad as it is my favourite show Look forward to watch each week. I may now give it a pass . Will miss Tom & Erin

OMG! Well, I for sure have watched my last DWTS! I don’t understand why they dumped Tom Bergeron . He was excellent at that job…so quick-witted, and came up with the best comments at the drop of the hat.
Tyra? Really??
I’ve always found her to be a bit nauseating!

Big mistake. I guess they’re trying to change things up. I am not going to watch.

Tyra said she’s proud to be the first black host on DWTS. Lisa Canning, I haven’t forgotten about you! Tyra needs a history lesson.

Dancing with the Stars (2005) one season co-host

“Thanks” this should be noted

What did Tom and Erin do to be replaced? I know this, if these two talented TV hosts were black and replaced by two white people, there would be hell to pay! Tom IS the show. BIG mistake!

^^^ THIS ! “…Tom IS the show”

w/his humor… sly : it was easy to overlook the cheese

oh wait ; the men need to undress

This show should’ve been put out to pasture about 3 years ago.

No interested in dwts anymore..bad choice

when did Tyra… Ms. “BANKS” get a sense of humor ? a requirement for this sparkly doowop

turn off

when she sashayed off her America Top Model. we thought isn’t she tired

Victoria Secrets can call

They’d have done better putting out a seniors edition of Dancing With the Stars – No contestants under 50. It was always so unfair to put the older contestants against the young kids. What older contestants give up in athleticism they would make up with creativity and a sense of romance. They could always bring Tom back to host it. Tyra Banks is an interesting choice as the next host. If they wanted a black female host I’d have gone for Vanessa Williams who actually trained as a ballroom dancer. But I wish Tyra and the show the best.

Dancing … will always be a FREE form of self expression.. you had to will yourself get up and do

this stance just took a bite out of

gawd.. high school doowop !!! that open of asking someone to share

@ABC / Disney / DWT STAR ??? the glitter just took a hit

anyway… sorry.. this is not on any one post… how hurt is it to take another shared show and make a dent on thought ??? I enjoyed this with you.. gawd… for crimony sake… i don’t dissect every thing

Really

There’s a two-word answer as to why Tom and Erin were fired: They’re white!
ABC is proving itself racist now. I’m sad to say that I won’t be watching DWTS ever again.

Tom was probably let go because he had Tweeted out that he thought having Sean Spicer on the show was a bad idea. I haven’t really watched the show in ages but from her volatile reputation I don’t see Tyra Banks as a good choice.

There’s been at least one right wing political hack on every season, and Hell knows they weren’t chosen for their dancing abilities.

If Tyra Banks puts an end to that practice, then God bless her.

And believe me, a Devil doesn’t use words like that very often!

Tyra Banks will undoubtedly have zero input into who the contestants are, Satan, just as Tom did, and I doubt any contestant, right-wing, left-wing, no-wing, whatever, is chosen with his or her dancing abilities in mind, or at least as the primary motivation. I suppose in one sense I can’t blame the show’s producers for inviting people like Sean Spicer and Bristol Palin, because they apparently do draw ratings–but the last few seasons it has seemed that that’s about ALL the show was trying to offer viewers, and I’ve lost a lot of interest, because the wing-nutters certainly never were a draw for me.

Tom B.’s departure is the last straw. I might have overlooked it had he departed on his own, but he really was one of the few reasons left to watch. His departure message was classy, and I was pleased to see that he took the high road, although it is better than his bosses deserved.

I’m lol, I only saw season one because it had Kelly Monaco, and it was new in the summer and short and yes Kelly totally deserved to win. I haven’t watch since its to corny with the back stories and just to long and not my thing, so its not a big deal to me, but I’m lol because I can totally see Tyra turning a dance show into a runway modeling show, everything she does she thinks it involves modeling or smizing, so I’ll watch the highlights on shows like gma and E.T, not investing my time, no thank you.

Well at least they didn’t choose Mickey Mouse, which I thought ABCDisney might. I will only check it out if absolutely nothing else was on, but this show Tom or no Tom jumped the shark long time ago.

I won’t be watching DWTS anymore. Even when the celebrities were people I didn’t know or care for, Tom Bergeron made you laugh. What is he going to do now? Does Tyra Banks care? She’s the executive producer she could have said something to help them.

Firing Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews from DWTS was bad enough…hiring that ANNOYING DIVA Tyra Banks as both the new host and the new Executive Producer is an EVEN WORSER IDEA!!!!! I see nothing but TOTAL DISASTER written all over this!!!!! Beyond yuck.

Later.

Did not like her on AGT.. Who thinks she makes a good host?

Breaking News

Haley Pullos Receives 90-Day Jail Sentence Following DUI Charge And Wrong-Way Car Crash

Former General Hospital actress, Haley Pullos (ex-Molly Lansing-Davis) is going to be doing time in jail, exactly one-year after her arrest from a hit and run wrong-way car collision.

The crash resulted in bodily harm and damages to the other driver, and now Pullos who pleaded “no contest” to the charges and will serve 90 days in jail. She was taken in custody on Monday, April 29th, after the ruling.

According to Haley’s attorney, Mark Daniel Melnick, the 25-year-old actress struck a plea deal and after her three months in jail will be sentenced on July 29th. As part of that sentencing, she must serve five years probation, 200 hours of community service and pay $8,260 in restitution to Courteney Wilder, the other driver in the crash and her driver’s license is revoked for a year.

Courtesy/ABC

According to TMZ, the plea deal for Pullos has the “no contest” to one DUI, while the judge dropped the felony DUI causing bodily injury and misdemeanor hit and run charges.

Melnick said in a statement to PEOPLE, “Haley is very grateful to the court for a minimum sentence and for recognizing her remorse and the strides she has made in her sobriety.”

Pullos had played the daughter of Alexis Davis (played by Nancy Lee Grahn) on the ABC soap opera since 2009, but after her car crash and DUI she was replaced by three different actresses until the show finally settled on the current Molly, Kristen Vaganos.

Photo: Pasadena PD

Back in April 29 of 2023, and at the scene of the crash, the police found edibles and mini-bottles of tequila in Pullos’ vehicle and that she was intoxicated. As it turned out, this was to be the second hit and run in the evening for Pullos who had an earlier collision with another car.

The courts decision follows a year-long legal battle with Haley’s pleas changing throughout it, ranging from “not guilty” to “no contest”. She sought treatment for her drinking at a rehab following the crash.

Nancy Lee Grahn, who portrayed Pullos’ on-screen mom took to X on Monday night, April 29th and shared on the sentence and the specific jail, Haley will be serving time: “As Haley’s TV mom I can tell some truths about her as I’ve loved her since she was little girl. She made a HUGE mistake, knows it, owns it & has spent the last yr doing EVERYTHING imaginable to take responsibility 4 it. It’s not that I oppose jail. It’s that I oppose this jail.” The jail in question by Grahn is the L.A. county jail.

So, what do you think about Haley Pullos serving a 90-days jail sentence, and the other rulings that will be part of her sentencing? Comment below.

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Marla Adams, The Young and the Restless’ Dina Mergeron, Dies at 85

Marla Adams, best known for portraying matriarch, Dina Abbott Mergeron on CBS’ The Young and the Restless for 37 years, died on April 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. The news came from Y&R’s Director of Media and Talent, Matt Kane.

Throughout her veteran soap opera career, Marla appeared had appeared on Secret Storm (in her other longest running soap role as Bell Clemens from 1988-1974), The Bold and the Beautiful (ex-Beth Logan), Days of our Lives (ex-Dr. Claire McIntyre), Generations (ex- Helen Mullin), General Hospital (ex-Mildred Deal) and Capitol (ex-Myrna Clegg).

However, it was her role as Y&R’s upper crust Dina, who abandoned her children and her marriage to John Abbott (the late Jerry Douglas) that was her most memorable role. Throughout the years, Dina would have several romantic reunions with John, but in 2017, the character returned to Genoa City to reunite with her estranged family. Dina was the on-screen mother to Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson), Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman).

Photo: JPI

As for Adams, she joined Y&R in 1982, but left the soap three years later her contract expired. She returned to Genoa City for stints in 1991, 1996 and 2008 before being asked by then Y&R head writer-producer Sally Sussman to return in 2017, which would begin the top-rated daytime drama telling the story of Alzheimer’s disease. Through Dina, the show shed light on a person going through the perils of the illness, and how the family copes and tries to come to terms with its fate.

In fact, Marla took home the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series in 2021 for her work in the storyline, She had previously been nominated in 2018.

Photo:JPI

Speaking with Michael Fairman TV, Marla shared on her final scenes on Y&R when Dina passed away and was reunited with John Abbott, “It was heart-wrenching for me.  In the story, Dina died when she went outside and to the front door of the Abbott home.  They did not tell me before-hand, and that’s why it was so wonderful.  I hope they came in for a closeup of that because I had no makeup on, it was beautiful, and then, Dina said, “Oh, John.”  I’ve done everything from movies, to daytime, to nighttime, to Broadway, but that was the iconic moment for me, to do this gig with wonderful, wonderful actors and friends, and to do this particular storyline.

Born in Ocean City, New Jersey, on August 28, 1938, Adams’ love for the stage was ignited after winning the Miss Ocean City and Miss Cape May pageants and finishing as a runner-up in the Miss New Jersey pageant. She also fondly remembered being the Miss Diamond Jubilee Queen during the 1954 celebration of the 75th anniversary of Ocean City’s founding.  A student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Adams appeared on Broadway in the 1958 production of The Visit at the Morosco Theatre with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne and starred as June in the 1961 feature film, Splendor in the Grass

Over the span of her decades long career, Adams starred in more than 40 productions including television’s: The Golden Girls, Hart to Hart, The Love Boat, The New Dick Van Dyke ShowHarry OAdam-12Starsky and HutchMarcus Welby, M.D.Barnaby Jones, and the feature film, Beneath the Leaves.

Photo: CBS

In a statement, Y&R’s current head writer and executive producer, Josh Griffith expressed, “On behalf of the entire company of The Young and the Restless, we send our deepest sympathies to Marla’s family. We’re so grateful and in awe of Marla’s incredible performance as Dina Mergeron as both Marla and Dina made an unforgettable mark on Y&R.

Marla is survived by her daughter, Pam Oates, son, Gunnar Garat, grandchildren, Gefjon and Stone, and her great-grandson, Remi.

Photo: JPI

Michael Fairman TV sends our condolences to Adam’s family, friends and co-stars. Now below, share your remembrances of Marla Adams, and watch a few of our interview with Marla from the set of Y&R during the show’s 45th anniversary celebration and on the red carpet at the Daytime Emmys below.

 

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REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital

For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.

According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).

Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.

Photo: ABC

After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared,  “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”

In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.

Photo: ABC

TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.

Photo: ABC

The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.

No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.

So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.

 

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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