Brooke Burke-Charvet was unceremoniously let go from her hosting gig on Dancing With the Stars and replaced by sportscaster and former show contestant Erin Andrews. Now Us Weekly is citing sources close to the show who are stating in no uncertain terms that Andrews’ sex appeal was a primary reason for the decision.
Burke-Charvet, 42, is said to have been caught completely off guard by the firing, having only been notified of the decision until “just a few hours before it was announced.” The mother of 4, along with band leader Harold Wheeler and his 28-person band, were let go.
Brooke took the high road on Twitter after the announcement:
So much chatter bout DWTS. I’m really cool everyone. I did my 7 seasons, had a blast! I’m ready for change. I love your loyalty. Thank you!
— Brooke Burke-Charvet (@brookeburke) February 24, 2014
Here’s the skinny – The show found out Harold Wheeler, the band, Rob & me were putting together our own road show, so they fired us all!
— Brooke Burke-Charvet (@brookeburke) February 24, 2014
Off to bed with my sense of humor. I was totally kidding Tweeties. Night nite! Sweet dreams.
— Brooke Burke-Charvet (@brookeburke) February 24, 2014
The source for Us stated that the show was longing to go in a new direction and were coveting the “young male following” that Andrews, 35, certainly has thanks to her work on ESPN and Fox Sports.
Erin expressed her own excitement about the new gig via Twitter:
Very excited! I have HUGE shoes to fill RT @GMA: #DWTS Announcement: Joining @Tom_Bergeron as a co-host this season will be @ErinAndrews!
— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) February 24, 2014
Andrews made headlines outside of the sports arena when she was unknowingly filmed in the nude while inside a hotel room in 2008. The man who committed this crime, and was later sentenced to 30 months in jail for his actions, shared one of the videos online which instantaneously went viral.
After this ordeal, Andrews worked with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, to help enact a new federal anti-stalking law.
Do you think that Erin’s addition will bring in this coveted young male audience or is that simply a demographic the show will never garner too much attention from?
