"Len had authority"- Dancing with the Stars' Cheryl Burke reflects on judging since Len Goodman's passing

Cheryl Burke has candidly shared her thoughts on the state of judging on Dancing with the Stars since the passing of Len Goodman in 2023. Speaking on her podcast S*x, Lies, and Spray Tans, uploaded on December 5, 2024, Burke reflected on how Goodman’s absence has affected the show. She explained,

“Len had authority when he talked because he knew what he was saying."

According to Burke, Goodman’s critiques were rooted in unparalleled experience and deep knowledge of ballroom dancing, which gave the show a level of credibility and consistency that she believes is now lacking.

Goodman, a professional ballroom dancer, teacher, and adjudicator, served as a judge on Dancing with the Stars for nearly two decades. Burke noted that his expertise commanded respect not only from contestants but also from professional dancers like herself.

“You could see our body language and our expressions whenever it was time for Len to give his critique.”

She emphasized how his feedback held weight among all those involved in the competition.

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Len Goodman’s lasting legacy on Dancing with the Stars

Burke elaborated on the unique qualities Goodman brought to Dancing with the Stars. “It’s one thing to have competed like Len,” she said.

“It’s also one thing to have taught like Len. It’s one thing to have also judged a real ballroom dance competition like Len had for many decades.”

His credentials as a certified adjudicator with the National Dance Council of America set him apart, enabling him to provide authoritative and constructive insights. Goodman’s influence went beyond technical critiques. Burke reminisced about his ability to stand firm in his opinions, even in the face of audience boos or disagreement from his fellow judges.

“When Len wasn’t there... it kinda all fell apart in a weird, odd way,” said Burke.

Burke also praised Goodman’s dedication to his craft. She recounted how he and Bruno Tonioli managed grueling schedules, frequently flying between the U.S. for Dancing with the Stars and the U.K. for Strictly Come Dancing. She said,

“Talk about jet lag and just not catching a breath. They did that for like a decade at least,”

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Alleged inconsistencies in current judging

Burke believes that the current judging panel—comprised of Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough reportedly lacks the same level of authority Goodman provided. While acknowledging their extensive dance backgrounds, she pointed out a gap in their formal ballroom experience.

“They have to be able to back up whatever they say," said Burke.

She emphasized the importance of expertise in providing meaningful critiques. Reflecting on her own approach to constructive criticism, Burke said,

“If I didn’t or couldn’t back up anything that I say as far as recaps go or any type of constructive criticism, I wouldn’t talk about it either.”

She suggested that the current judges may sometimes react to audience feedback, which could stem from a lack of confidence in their technical knowledge.

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Cheryl Burke’s vision for the future of Dancing with the Stars

Looking ahead, Burke has called for Dancing with the Stars to return to its roots by prioritizing ballroom dancing and technical accuracy. She suggested that if the current judges remain, they should consider pursuing formal ballroom training to deepen their understanding of the genre. She proposed,

“Why wouldn’t you wanna do that? After all these years, if you weren’t as familiar with the genre, why don’t you familiarize yourself with it?”

Burke also recommended that the show bring in judges with adjudication experience, similar to Goodman’s credentials.

“Unless they get judges that have more ballroom experience than, you know, some of the current ones that are seated there as of last season,”

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Fans can follow Cheryl on Instagram @cherylburke for more updates.