"Dancing with the Stars" Triumphs Over Strikes, Set to Premiere Sept. 26
ABC has confirmed plans to proceed with the Sept. 26 season premiere of the reality show 'Dancing with the Stars', despite recent clashes with the Writer's Guild of America (WGA). The announcement followed news of a temporary agreement between the WGA and the show's studios on Sunday evening.
The show, entering its 32nd season, had faced uncertainties surrounding its celebrity cast, specifically dual SAG-AFTRA and WGA member, Matt Walsh. The 'Veep' star had recently "paused" his involvement with 'Dancing with the Stars'. However, a representative for the actor confirmed on Monday, "With the hopeful resolution and vote with the WGA, 'Dancing with the Stars' would no longer be a struck show, therefore all cast would be able to return. This includes WGA member Matt Walsh."
Last Thursday, the network had to create contingency plans for the show's return after actors in its celebrity cast, including Walsh, Alyson Hannigan, and Mira Sorvino, experienced pressure from striking WGA members. Variety shows like 'Dancing with the Stars' fall under the SAG-AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting, known as Network Code, affording them a separate collective bargaining agreement apart from the SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP negotiations that failed earlier this year.
The WGA protests, which targeted several rehearsals for the show, continued through Sunday, even as a deal was being finalized between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Following the agreement, however, all WGA picketing was suspended. The show's return signals a continuation from its previous season on Disney+, but with a live simulcast on Disney+ and next-day availability on Hulu.
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The Hollywood ballroom is once again alive and spinning, but not before the dance floor had to double as a picket line. It's been an unusual Viennese waltz down the red carpet, to say the least, as WGA strikes and Hollywood's work dance brought 'Dancing with the Stars' into the waltzing... I mean, striking rhythm.
Rest assured, dear readers, your sequined favorites are still set to hit the stage. This includes the dapper Mr. Walsh, who, after a brief 'Cha-cha-change' in his schedule, is confirmed to be putting back on his dancing shoes. Who knew a Viennese waltz could be so confounded by Writers Guild waltzing?
Yet amid all the turmoil, the special brand of glitz ‘Dancing with the Stars’ offers still prevails. As we all know, in showbiz, the motto is 'the show must go on'. And so it does, twirls, Cha-cha's and all. Like a skilled contestant transitioning from the Jive to the Rumba, ABC has artfully handled the situation, assuring fans and critics alike that no rumba, or picket line, could stop this show.
However, the strikes did cast a shadow over Dancing with Stars. But, as always in this industry, practice makes perfect. Unions, networks, and stars alike could do well to remember that smooth routines require every dancer's step to be heard, and counted.
The glitter ball is back in action, and it's about time! Waltz on over to your screens, folks! It’s Tango time in Tinseltown - strike or no strike. Dancing with the Stars will not only be a test of footwork, but the resilience of the whole industry itself.
