Last month, fans of “Dancing With The Stars” were left shocked after host Tom Bergeron was abruptly fired from the reality television competition, which he had hosted since it premiered back in 2005, and replaced by supermodel Tyra Banks.
Afterwards, various alumni of the show spoke out to offer their support to Bergeron, including former Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek, who said he felt “lucky” to have gotten to compete on the show before the host was fired. Now, Bergeron is speaking out to thank the actor for his kind words.
“Thanks, buddy. I think I can speak for @ErinAndrews that WE felt lucky to be there when YOU were on,” Bergeron tweeted in response.
https://twitter.com/Tom_Bergeron/status/1296552635059896320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1296552635059896320%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpopculture.com%2Freality-tv%2Fnews%2Fdancing-with-the-stars-tom-bergeron-reacts-james-van-der-beek-kind-comments-erin-andrews%2F
This comes one week after Van Der Beek spoke out to praise Bergeron and Andrews, who was fired as well.
“I loved Tom and Erin,” Van Der Beek told US Weekly [1]. “That is such a crazy experience that show. I mean, it’s a hundred percent live. It’s just a dance floor and a couple of judges and a dance thing you learned six days prior. One shot, no do-overs, no nothing.”
In this hectic environment, Van Der Beek said he found comfort in Bergeron and Andrews.
“In the middle of that was this guy who was so quick on his feet, so funny and so big-hearted,” the Varsity Blues actor explained. “Then you would go to Erin who just kept it a hundred percent real and also equally quick on her feet and just as big of a heart.”
“So, I count myself lucky that I got to do the show when they were there,” Van Der Beek said. “Cause I really, really appreciated just how they approached it and what they were for us in the eye of that storm.”
One of the favorite memories that Van Der Beek took from the show was when Bergeron helped him create an unforgettable memory with his mom, Melinda, who passed away last month.
“After the contemporary [dance], he looked over, saw her and put a hand in my back and just kinda nudged me to go over knowing that we had the time,” he recalled. “And so I did and I gave her a hug right afterward and it was my top memories. I’m always grateful to Tom for creating that moment.”
Though he will miss Bergeron and Andrews, Van Der Beek made it clear that he will still support Banks.
“Tyra brings a whole different skillset and energy and vibe to the proceeding,” Van Der Beek said. “So it will be wild.”
This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com [2] and is used by permission.
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