Key Insights:
– Former Press Secretary Sean Spicer featured as a guest on Cheryl Burke’s podcast.
– During the show, Spicer discussed his needs from ABC network before agreeing to join Dancing With The Stars.
– Despite heavy criticism, ABC stood by Spicer, ultimately leading to host Tom Bergeron’s departure.
Sourced from [Heavy.com](https://heavy.com/entertainment/dancing-with-the-stars/sean-spicer-stand-by/), Sean Spicer, who found himself at the center of controversy during his stint on season 28 of “Dancing With the Stars,” has opened up about his experience on Cheryl Burke’s “Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans” podcast. The former White House Press Secretary, best-known for his service under the Trump administration, had a frank discussion about the public backlash he faced during his time on the ABC show.
### Unfolding the Controversial Casting of Sean Spicer
Spicer revealed that before signing on to the show, he requested a strong sense of solidarity from the network, namely ABC and Disney, in the face of the impending controversy. With Hollywood and the entertainment industry largely leaning away from the right-wing, Spicer was well aware his casting would invoke strong public responses.
During his conversation with Burke, Spicer also touched upon his dialogue with the show’s executives and casting director Deena Katz. Stressing that he was only interested in participating in a spirit of fun and enjoyment, Spicer raised concerns about the inevitable public uproar, requesting assurances that the network wouldn’t rapidly distance themselves from him, declaring him a casting error.
### Spicer’s Acknowledgement of the Varying Responses
In his conversation with Burke, Spicer shared his knowledge that the feedback to his casting would be quite “different” from the controversy that past participants had stirred. Despite the divisive political climate, ABC’s executives agreed to support him unconditionally and admitted they were ready to confront the coming storm.
The controversial casting indeed led to mixed reactions, with some fans even threatening a show boycott. One major dissenting voice was from Tom Bergeron, the then-host of the show, who was staunchly against Spicer’s casting and the potential politicization of the show.
### The Fallout and Bergeron’s Exit
It is important to note that Bergeron’s opposition was not personal against Spicer, but rather due to his disagreement with featuring political figures in the entertainment show. When the executives bypassed his concerns and included Spicer, Bergeron decided to separate from the show he had been a part of for many seasons.
Bergeron conveyed his thoughts to Variety, expressing his unfortunate discovery of Spicer’s inclusion after a discussion with the showrunners about refraining from politicizing “Dancing With the Stars.” Bergeron saw this as a breach of trust and a deviation from the show’s traditional apolitical stance — a respite from the divisive political climate. Having voiced his outright disapproval of the Spicer’s casting, Bergeron took his farewell, standing firm on his belief that the show had traversed far past its permissible threshold.
In a surprising confession, Spicer shared his admiration for Bergeron and expressed that he wished Bergeron had continued as the show’s host. Despite the controversies and host upheavals, Spicer ultimately went on to compete in the show and was eliminated by the 6th week, partnered with ballroom professional Lindsay Arnold.
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