‘Dancing With the Stars’ Source Explains Why Show Will Continue Amid Strikes, Cheryl Burke Calls Out Show | Cheryl Burke, Dancing With the Stars | Just Jared: Celebrity News and Gossip

Dancing With the Stars is set to return to ABC next month, despite calls for the show to pause production until the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes have ended.

A source close to the show is discussing the decision to move forward with a new season, even with former pro dancers like Cheryl Burke saying the show shouldn’t be airing right now.

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The source told Variety that out of a staff of 500 people, there is only one WGA writer on staff. The show is also in compliance with SAG-AFTRA rules as it’s covered by the Network Code agreement.

“Everyone’s focus is to keep 500 people employed,” a production source said, adding that the WGA writer will be back to work when the strike ends. This is also what happened the last time there was a writers strike in 2007 through 2008.

Cheryl was asked about the show moving forward during a new interview with Variety.

“Well, after the Drew Barrymore thing, I have mixed feelings. Even in the pandemic, people can say, ‘Why would you do this?’ When you’re talking about the entertainment industry, this is a sensitive subject. In order for things to change, we have to stick together, point blank, because if one show just decides to think about the show on its own, this is not going to make big changes. It is not going to change the way these other people — the opposing team — are thinking. At the end of the day, we have to stick together because that’s the only way to ever make any significant change. Even the cast of “Friends,” when they asked for more money, they all stuck together. The problem is that if we don’t, then we’re setting a precedent, and I don’t think it’s gonna be good for the show, to be quite honest, in the long run. I understand what they’re thinking and I get it. It’s a business, but there is no business without the rest of the business,” she said.

Cheryl added, “I think they should hold tight. I think we need to stand as one. We need to unite for real, and not just say we’re united.”

Another former pro dancer called out the show for a different reason last week.