Dancing with the Stars returns Tuesday night, but there will be one noticeably empty seat at the judges’ table this season.
The beloved Len Goodman, who retired from the series at the end of last season, will be sorely missed.
While many shows have recently dealt with new hosts along with slight changes, the only change DWTS plans to implement is a tribute fit for a ballroom king.
Conrad Green, executive producer of the dance competition series, explained there was never any intention to replace Goodman, even before his death.
“I’ve always felt Len is irreplaceable,” he told EW. “He’s such an important part of the history of the show and such an important part of the reason the show is successful [with] his honesty, his specialist ballroom knowledge, and him coming genuinely from that world. His legacy of what he’s brought to the show is amazing. It was never in my mind to replace him.”
In the wake of his absence, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough will man the judges’ table, and they will occasionally be joined by guest judges throughout the season.
In addition to keeping his seat open at the judges’ table, the show plans to honor him in several ways over the course of the 32nd season. During its premiere DWTS will unveil its new trophy, the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
“The Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy will now be lifted on Dancing With the Stars like the Vince Lombardi trophy is lifted at the Super Bowl,” Green told USA Today. “We wanted to make Len a permanent part of this show, to always remind people the importance he’s had to Dancing With the Stars and how much he meant to all of us.”
Green said there is also plans to dedicate an episode to the ballroom legend.
“We’re working on [it] at the moment, [it will be] something really heartfelt from the dancers themselves, a performance.”
If you enjoyed reading this story, check out one of the first cast members named for season 32!
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- “Dancing with the Stars” judge Len Goodman predicted his own death 4 months before he passed
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Len Goodman was a treasured man who was loved by so many in the ballroom community. He will be deeply missed, but I have no doubt Dancing with the Stars will do its best to properly honor his legacy.
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