'Dancing With the Stars' 2014 Lineup, Erin Andrews & Brooke Burke-Charvet: Tom Bergeron Talks Host Change, "Trainwreck" Season 18 and Favorite DWTS Cast Member
Fans and even Brooke Burke-Chavet and Erin Andrews have addressed the last minute hosting change for season 18 of Dancing With the Stars. One man is stuck in the middle of this, and that's the other co-host, Tom Bergeron. Bergeron has remained mum since Burke-Chavet was abruptly swapped for Erin Andrews. That is, until now.
Bergeron told E! News that he recently met up with Burke-Charvet for drinks.
"...during which I told her what I've told her several times, how impressed I was with how she handled all of this," he said.
Indeed, Burke-Charvet has taken the higher road, and is even making nice with her replacement.
"She and Erin have exchanged calls and voicemail messages, and I said, 'There's a lot of maturity going on here because everybody's being wonderful in the face of some difficult times,'" Bergeron explained.
Bergeron is confident in Andrews' ability to do a great job as he has co-hosted with her before.
"Erin and I first worked together when we did the Scripps Spelling Bee for ABC back a few years ago," the Emmy Award-winner said. "She's very energetic, and smart and funny, and I think she's going to bring all of that to the show."
That doesn't mean that Andrews couldn't benefit from a little advice, which Bergeron gladly gave her during dinner.
"Trust your gut, and if you want to, because we're friends, take a shot at me," he told her. "I was telling her about when Drew Lachey filled in some seasons ago for a few weeks, he would take these shots at me, and I love that, so I told her not to hold back."
Another new addition this season comes is "The Switch Up," which gives voters the ability to change the stars' professional dancer partners. Some professional dancers already shared their distaste for the change. Bergeron is not too confident either.
"I don't know if it's just for a week or whatever they do it, they're going to do it for the balance of the season, so I'm kind of as curious as you and the dancers are, as to how this is going to play," Bergeron explained. "It's either going to be very intriguing and exciting or a trainwreck."
Finally, Bergeron shared that his favorite this season is Danica McKeller, former The Wonder Years star.
"I'll be completely honest with you: I had been lobbying personally to Danica to do it," he said. "I've been working on her a couple seasons now, and I was thrilled when she finally said yes."
Season 18 of Dancing WIth the Stars premieres March 17 at 8 p.m. on ABC.
Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @SH____4.