How Season 28 of Dancing with the Stars Rewrote Its Own Rules for Viewers
In short: The twenty-eighth season of Dancing with the Stars, which premiered on September 19, 2019, introduced radical changes to the show's format. For the first time, celebrity partnerships were kept secret until the live premiere, while new voting and judging mechanics fundamentally altered how couples survived the competition each week.
Season 28 marked a significant departure from established traditions for the ABC series. Beyond the surprise reveal of partnerships during the live broadcast, the production implemented a new live voting system restricted to viewers in the Central and Eastern time zones. Furthermore, the show introduced a judges' save, allowing the panel to rescue one of the bottom two couples from elimination. This season also featured twelve celebrity contestants, though the roster saw mid-season shifts: Christie Brinkley withdrew due to injury and was replaced by her daughter, Sailor Brinkley-Cook, while Ray Lewis also exited early following a rehearsal injury.
The professional lineup underwent its own transformation. While Peta Murgatroyd returned, long-time pros Artem Chigvintsev and Sharna Burgess were absent, and newcomers Daniella Karagach and Pasha Pashkov joined the cast. The season also saw temporary adjustments, such as Lindsay Arnold missing two weeks, during which Sean Spicer performed with Jenna Johnson. The judging panel remained largely consistent with Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli, though the show occasionally brought in guest judges like Leah Remini and Joey Fatone to provide additional perspectives during specific themed weeks.
The competition concluded on November 25, 2019, with Hannah Brown and Alan Bersten taking the title. Kel Mitchell and Witney Carson secured second place, followed by Ally Brooke and Sasha Farber in third, and Lauren Alaina and Gleb Savchenko in fourth. This finale served as a milestone for the series, as it was the final season for long-standing co-hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews. By integrating complex elements like immunity for top-performing couples and redemption dances coached by judges, the season pushed contestants to adapt to a more unpredictable and demanding competitive environment.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Dancing with the Stars (American TV series) season 28
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/places-dancing-with-the-stars-american-tv-series-season-28.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Cities · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics
