Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron is apparently not pleased producers chose to cast former White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Season 28 of the show.
ADVERTISEMENT
Amid backlash and criticism of Sean's casting from viewers, Tom -- who has hosted Dancing with the Stars since its 2005 debut -- took to Twitter to express his opinion on the political figure dancing for the mirrorball trophy this fall.
RELATED LINK: 'DANCING WITH THE STARS' PROS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS: WHO'S DATING OR MARRIED TO WHOM!? (PHOTOS)
"Some thoughts about today. A few months ago, during a lunch with DWTS' new Executive Producer, I offered suggestions for Season 28," Tom, 64, tweeted.
"Chief among them was my hope that DWTS, in its returning following an unprecedented year-long hiatus, would be a joyful respite from our exhausting political climate and free of inevitably divisive bookings from ANY party affiliations. I left that lunch convinced we were in agreement."
ADVERTISEMENT
Tom continued, "Subsequently (and rather obviously), a decision was made to, as we often say in Hollywood, 'go in a different direction.'"
Tom clearly doesn't agree with the decision to allow Sean to compete given many viewers are incredibly angry over his participation.
"It is the prerogative of the producers, in partnership with the network, to make whatever decisions they feel are in the best long term interests of the franchise," Tom explained.
"We can agree to disagree, as we do now, but ultimately it's their call. I'll let it to them to answer any further questions about those decisions."
One of the most recognized former staffers in the Trump administration, Sean built a decades-long career in Republican politics.
ADVERTISEMENT
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP MARRYING? (PHOTOS)
"Spicer made his way up through the ranks and has experience at every level in Washington," ABC teased when announcing the lineup of Season 20 celebrities.
"Few are as well-equipped as Spicer to pull back the curtain and dissect what's really happening in the nation's capital."
Tom concluded his Twitter post by saying he wants Dancing with the Stars to always be "a two hour escape" for viewers from their hassles and struggles in life.
"That's a connection, and a responsibility, which I take very seriously, even if I occasionally season it with dad jokes," he wrote.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Hopefully, when Erin Andrews and I look into those lenses again on September 16, you'll be on the other side looking back, able to enjoy the charismatic pro dancers, the unpredictable judges and the kitschy charm that has defined DWTS since 2005."
ABC has yet to comment on the backlash, but Sean is clearly "excited" to join "a great cast and show." He noted on Twitter "it's time to have some fun."
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? (PHOTOS)
Dancing with the Stars is set to premiere on Monday, September 16 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.