Famous kids hit the dance floor in ‘Dancing with the Stars: Juniors’
Bust a move: Since its debut in 2005, “Dancing with the Stars” has been a ratings smash and a cultural phenomenon, pairing celebrities, athletes and other high-profile figures who have little to no dance experience with a professional dancer. It was only a matter of time before the “DWTS” family got bigger, and a new spinoff, “Dancing with the Stars: Juniors,” premieres Sunday, Oct. 7, on ABC .
With Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews busy with hosting duties on the flagship series, former “DWTS” contestants Frankie Muniz (“Malcolm in the Middle”) and Jordan Fisher (“Liv and Maddie”) serve as presenters for the youth-centric version.
The duo is perfect for the job, after excelling and winning over viewers during their season 25 appearance.An actor and a race car driver, Muniz finished in third place during his time on the dance floor, while his co-host bested him and took home the Mirrorball trophy.After their time on the series, the pair continued dancing, putting aside their friendly rivalry and participating in the “DWTS Live! Light Up the Night” tour.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Muniz raved about being a part of the new series and how he felt when he was offered the opportunity to host, saying, “I was so excited because I had such an amazing time on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’” He continued by discussing the thrill of being on the other side of the competition and obtaining a new perspective for the performers.
Like Bergeron and Andrews, “DWTS” judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman won’t be making the move to Sunday nights. “Juniors’” inaugural judges’ panel still consists of familiar faces, however. After making a great impression during his winning performance on “DWTS: Athletes,” Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon returns to the dance studio. While not a professional dancer, the bronze medal winner proved just too popular and charming not to be involved in the new series.
Rippon is joined by award-winning choreographer Mandy Moore. No, not the Mandy Moore of NBC’s mega-popular “This Is Us,” but the equally talented dancer best known for her work on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” and 2016’s “La La Land.” The legendary choreographer brings her dancing expertise to the panel. Rounding out the team of judges is the expertly suited, two-time “DWTS” champion Valentin Chmerkovskiy.
Looking to replicate the immense success of the original series, “DWTS: Juniors” won’t stray too far from its sibling’s winning formula.The new series pairs professional dancers with young stars. In this case, the junior pros will consist of up-and-coming dancers previously featured in other high-profile competition series, such as Jake Monreal (“So You Think You Can Dance”), Elliana Walmsley (“Dance Moms”), Sage Rosen (“Lip Sync Battle Shorties”), Brightyn Brems (“World of Dance”) and Artyon Celestine (“Little Big Shots”).
The junior pros will be mentored throughout the competition by “DWTS” fan favorites Cheryl Burke, Sasha Farber, Hayley Erbert and Witney Carson, who will aid them in creating and perfecting choreographed routines.
Tune in to the premiere of “Dancing with the Stars: Juniors” on Sunday, Oct. 7, on ABC and witness Hollywood youngsters and pro dancers competing for the Mirrorball trophy.
Bayou bodyslam: Over the course of his nearly 30-year-long career, Chris Jericho has taken on countless monsters inside the ring, from The Undertaker and Goldberg to Kevin Nash and Kane.The wrestling superstar has truly seen it all, but on Wednesday, Oct. 10, he goes toe to toe with new beasts in “Chris Jericho: Monster Hunt,” airing on Travel.
This “Ghostober,” Travel is putting together a bevy of spine-tingling specials to celebrate Halloween, and what’s more terrifying than swamp monsters? There is only one man capable of uncovering the hidden truths of the southern Louisiana swamps, and that man is Chris Jericho.The bestselling author, actor, musician and multipletime world champion has traveled the world, wrestling in Canada, Mexico, Germany, England and Japan, but this “Monster Hunt” sees him heading to bayou country.
In southern Louisiana, Jericho will attempt to shed light on frightening, horrible creatures with the goal of discovering the Rougarou (a swamp-dwelling werewolf), the Honey Island Swamp Sasquatch and other supernatural beasts.Are all these fiends connected somehow, and are they the result of a voodoo curse? Jericho is determined to find out as he investigates eyewitness accounts and a local rumor indicating that a turn-of-the-century voodoo priestess is somehow responsible for all these sightings.
Follow former world champion and rock star Chris Jericho as he heads to the southern Louisiana bayou in search of legendary swamp creatures in his biggest challenge yet in “Chris Jericho: Monster Hunt,” airing Wednesday, Oct. 10, on Travel.