Dancing with the Stars Tangoes Past WGA Strike for Season Premiere

ABC's popular reality competition, Dancing with the Stars, will continue as scheduled with its September 26th season premiere. This decision came off the back of a tentative agreement reached between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the studios on Sunday night.

The 32nd season of Dancing with the Stars will star full celebrity cast, including Veep actor Matt Walsh, who holds dual membership in the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and WGA. Walsh had temporarily paused his involvement in the show up until last Thursday. Following the WGA's prospective resolution, a representative for the actor confirmed on Monday that all cast members, including WGA member Matt Walsh, would be returning.

Last Thursday, the network had planned to delay Dancing with the Stars' return, as the celebrity cast - notably Walsh, Alyson Hannigan, and Mira Sorvino - faced pressure from WGA strikers. The past week saw WGA protesters disrupting multiple DWTS rehearsals. Even yesterday, just hours prior to the announcement of the WGA-AMPTP agreement, about 35 writers picketed Dancing with the Stars at TV City in Hollywood, where producers were preparing for Tuesday's live season premiere.

Sunday night's tentative agreement with the studios resulted in suspension of all WGA picketing. Variety shows like Dancing with the Stars fall under the SAG-AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting, categorically separate from film and television collective bargaining agreements that SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP navigated unsuccessfully in the spring and early summer, triggering the current actors strike. This meant that ABC could still air Dancing with the Stars, and SAG-AFTRA members participate, without violating any strike rules. The show, employing one writer among its crew of 500, had its WGA affiliation make it a struck production.

Season 32 marks the return of Dancing with the Stars to ABC, with the previous season airing on Disney+. The upcoming season will not only be simulcasting live on Disney+, but also attainable on Hulu the following day.

Now, shifting gears to a little Hollywood insight...

While ensuring Matt Walsh could do-si-do on the dance floor without crossing picket lines was surely high on ABC's priority list, one can't ignore the strategic timing of this WGA-studio seal of approval. Coming hot on the heels of the Emmys, this triumphant announcement of Dancing with the Stars' return is like setting off fireworks in an already brightly lit sky.

Is this a sign that the entertainment industry is finally finding its footing amidst strike talks and pandemic obstacles? Or is it simply a testament to the die-hard dedication DWTS fans that have kept the show on its toes for 32 seasons?

While the sway of the dance floor - and the industry - remains to be seen, one thing is certain: come premiere night, more than a few Hollywood eyes will be tuning into Dancing with the Stars. And not just for the cha-cha. They'll be watching to see whether the stars shine not only on the dance floor, but in the intricate dance that is Hollywood dynamics.

And, let's be honest: who isn't slightly curious to catch Veep's Matt Walsh tackling a tango in sequins?