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.

The next two Daytime Emmy ceremonies to be given out virtually this year have announced their hosts.  The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today revealed that Jai Rodriguez, producer and actor best known for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy will host the Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony honoring Digital Dramas.  That event will be live-streamed this coming Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 9:00 p.m. EDT.

In addition, The Real’s Loni Love  will host the Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony for Children’s, Lifestyle & Animation programming.  That event will be live-streamed Sunday, July 26, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. EDT.

Photo: NATAS

In a statement, Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS shared: “The far-reaching consequences of the global pandemic have challenged our industry and our community in ways never before imagined, These unprecedented circumstances demanded new and exciting ways to recognize the great talents creating Daytime television. Building on the success of our Daytime Emmys telecast on CBS, we continue to applaud and acknowledge the contributions of our diverse field of incredible nominees.”

NATAS also announced today more dates for their annual awards –  the 41st Sports Emmy Awards will live-stream on Tuesday, August 11th, at 8 p.m. EDT.  Meanwhile,The 41st News & Documentary Emmy Awards will stream in mid-to-late September, followed by the 71st Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards in mid-to-late October.

Two dedicated specials will also debut in the fall of 2020: one recognizing Lifetime Achievement honorees in Daytime, Sports, News & Documentary and Technology & Engineering programming, and the other recognizing Spanish-Language nominees across the genres.

All events will be viewable on desktop, mobile, and smart TV platforms via  TheEmmys.tv.

So what do you think of the choice of hosts for the Digital Drama Daytime Emmys this Sunday, and the Children’s, Lifestyle & Animation programming edition the following weekend? Comment below.

The ballroom dance-competition will look quite different when season 29 of Dancing with the Stars makes its return on ABC.

Longtime host of the series Tom Bergeron (he has been with the show since 2005) and sidekick and co-host Erin Andrews are not returning to the series.  Andrews joined as co-host in 2014 and was a previous contestant.

On Monday, Bergeron got ahead of the news addressing his departure on his Twitter account sharing: “Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me. It’s been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career. I’m grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made. That said, now what am I supposed to do with all of these glitter masks?”

On Tuesday, Andrews  put out a statement sharing:  “Thank you ABC and the entire Dancing with the Stars family for 6 memorable seasons.  Those years wouldn’t have been as special without my loving host Tom Bergeron, the talented dancers, and witty judges. I will always cherish my days on that set, even if I wasn’t the best at walking in heels.”

In a joint statement from ABC and producer BBC Studios, they thanked the duo: “Tom Bergeron will forever be part of the Dancing with the Stars family. As we embark on a new creative direction, he departs the show with our sincerest thanks and gratitude for his trademark wit and charm that helped make this show a success. Erin will also not be returning, and we appreciate all that she brought to the ballroom. Fans have been rooting for her since she originally competed as a contestant back in 2010, and her signature sense of humor has become a hallmark of the show.”

Just how the dance-reality competition series will look comes this fall in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic remains to be seen.

So, what do you think of the departures of Bergeron and Andrews? Who do you think will be named hosts of the series for its upcoming season? Comment below.