I haven’t minded the new seasons on 7… but I’m a fuddy duddy in my late 50s. 
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Chris Brown brought the wrong energy to the show and never really clicked with Kruger. While Daryl Somers could be a bit over the top during his time as host, he understood that — much like the original BBC version fronted by Bruce Forsyth — the format was ultimately a variety show, not a straightforward reality competition. It needed a host who could manage and elevate the show’s natural energy, not flatten it.
Once Seven stripped away the most engaging and distinctive elements that made Dancing with the Stars compelling, the show became dull and predictable. The hosts and their chemistry were just as essential to the show’s success as the celebrity contestants and their dance partners. When that dynamic was lost, so was the show’s spark.
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Summed up well.
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Bring back Dan MacPherson!
Wasn’t he back on Seven’s books a couple of years ago on Seven Sport’s racing coverage, oddly? In the same way he was already too when he replaced Daryl Somers (starring on their City Homicide drama).
It’s interesting you say that, as Craig Revel-Horwood and Sharna Burgess (from Ten’s incarnation) were part of Seven’s second innings in these more recent years.
And IMO were the best parts of Seven’s re-booted series.
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I disagree about Chris and Daryl. Thought Chris was a breath of fresh air and actually quite likeable on the show. Yes he’s missing a ‘spark’ that Daryl had but that’s not a bad thing given Daryl’s way past his use-by date by about 15 years. Chris made the show a lot more appealing to the younger folks than Daryl.
My biggest gripe with this show is that it’s so slowwwww, and that’s for a pre-recorded show no less. It doesn’t take 2 hours to show 6 dances in one night and everything else in between. They could easily fit it within 90 minutes. Also I’m not a fan of splitting everyone into two groups. Put them altogether and everyone dance each week which will make it a lot fairer.
One thing that we have going for us is the quality of the celebrities that we have. In the last few years Seven has absolutely nailed the lineups featuring iconic actors, comedians, singers, TV personalities and a small number of influencers (not enough to ruin it thankfully). The casts on the American version and Strictly have really gone downhill in recent years. The American ones are full of influencers and wannabe famous TikTok-ers or token celebrities from yesteryears whilst Strictly seems to prefer the ‘folks who are related to a ‘celebrity’ type cast (like the wife of X celebrity or the sister of Y celebrity etc.) We’ve got the cast just right down here, but the execution is the problem.
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Even though it brings in the viewers… it must have trouble bringing in the $$$ from advertisers?
Its rating improved this year.
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It rated well, but the wrong audience.
I just wish it could be live again - it made it feel like event TV - “anything can happen” etc, but those days ($$$) are long gone unfortunately
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This year was a contrast to the 2025 upfronts where Shaun Micallef’s participation in the show was announced live at the event and was a big deal.
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I think that’s one of the things that has made Seven’s version much more enjoyable in recent years: The recruitment of major stars like Micallef, Gibney, McCune, Matt Preston, Osher Gunsberg, Shane Crawford etc.
When they run a show with some truly C/D grade casting that drains the appeal.
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I partly understand the point you’re making about the audience, but you could just as easily argue the opposite — that while the show tried to appeal to a younger demographic under Brown, those efforts often did more harm than good. The cost-cutting measures introduced around the time the show returned to Seven didn’t serve the program’s quality or integrity; they mainly benefited SWM’s bottom line. For heaven’s sake, even Channel 10 managed to broadcast the show live during COVID.
Networks today may not have the budgets for truly live “event” television anymore, but Seven’s decision to revert to pre-recorded episodes really showed how little they cared about the show. It’s disappointing, considering this was the very format that helped make them number one during its original run.
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Which is why it was surprising to see quite a few dismissing Golden Bachelor’s numbers, where it’s been the No. 1 entertainment in the key demos in traditional (metro), the exact metrics at least Nine focus on.
Despite total people (including regional and bvod with VOZ now) not being up around 900k or 1m+ like some others.
Follow-up on the pause, again from TV Blackbox.
The uncertainty appears to be because of “high cost per hour”. (Note that the show only aired Sunday nights instead of several a week like others.)
But “network insiders have indicated Seven remains satisfied with the program’s performance and continues to review its options regarding the future of the format.”
TVB and the Mail have reached out to Seven for comment.
Speaking of the Mail, they probably read this comment and decided to write the opposite way.
Also not helping matters is the fact that the US iteration of Dancing With The Stars has crept into the national consciousness, thanks to some bravura performances by wildlife warrior Robert Irwin and dance partner Witney Carson.
Further, the calibre of stars on offer far outstrips what the Seven iteration plates up for Australian viewers.
Seven Group Managing Director, Television, Angus Ross, told TV Tonight, “It’s not on the list at the moment. It’s another one we’re working through, whether it can fit (the schedule).”
In 2023 Seven kicked off the year without Dancing with the Stars renewed.
By March it was announced, by June it was on air.
TV Tonight understands Seven is still keen on the show which drew numbers north of 900,000 in its 22nd season. Not something you’d throw away lightly….
If it doesn’t land in 2026, don’t rule out early 2027 for a 23rd season.
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Just hope that they return to having the top 12 compete on episode one and two - instead of splitting it into two groups like they did for the last two (or so) seasons.
Split groups meant episodes consisted of: showing longer rehearsals, irrelevant dances from judges and/or professional dancers, and Sonia asking questions and then Chris Brown asking even more questions, to pad out the episodes.
How abouts they return to 12 celebs in episode one and two, and have it fast paced. Two dances per segment. No large sets in the opening few rounds.
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I think DWTS has been diminished by becoming a pre-recorded show. Having said that (and to Tom’s point), it’s doubtful the show could assemble the lineups it has had the last few years without that change and requiring less of a time commitment from the participating celebrities.
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Why hasn’t the current UK or US season been available in Australia. It would have been fantastic given the US started Robert Irwin and the UK version stars Paul from Neighbours and two Aussie professional partners.
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cough 10 or 7, please pick it up and air it… cough
If you have Disney+ and a VPN it’s waiting there for you ……..
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I know the US version is on Disney, but is the UK version on Disney too? If not, then why not show it here in Aus? Even if shafted to one pf the multi-channels.