Oscar nominee Eric Roberts (Runaway Prepare) and TV star Reginald VelJohnson (Household Issues) captured viewers’ hearts with their sentimental performances on Season 33 of Dancing With the Stars — however not their votes. The 2 favorites had been voted off the fact dance competitors sequence on final evening’s present. TV Insider spoke to the 2 and their dance companions on the post-show press line.
“I’m simply actually pleased with Eric for what he completed on this course of, which isn’t a simple one,” Britt Stewart, Roberts’ companion, advised TV Insider.
Roberts says he’s going to stroll away with many reminiscences that he’s shared with Stewart throughout their journey collectively and in addition the kindness he felt from the DWTS firm. “There’s a crew of over 200 individuals right here, and so they make you are feeling like household,” he says. “You fall in love with the present, your companion, everybody right here is so type and so conscious.”
What’s subsequent for Stewart now that she’s out of the competitors? “Extra opening numbers, bumper dances,” she muses. “I hope I’ll get some extra alternatives to choreograph and I’ll be on the Dancing With the Stars Tour.”
Would possibly Roberts reunite with Stewart on the tour? “All they should do is invite me,” he says. “Anyplace Britt goes, I’ll comply with.”
Disney/Eric McCandless
DWTS isn’t the primary present that’s given Roberts the boot. He briefly performed means again in 1977 the position of Ted Bancroft on One other World for a couple of months till he obtained his strolling papers. “I strive to not [remember that] as a result of that may have been the worst appearing in my profession,” he recollects. “I sucked! I’m my largest fan – don’t get me incorrect.”
Roberts says the stint was so way back, he doesn’t recall a lot concerning the expertise – however he remembers what led to his departure. “The producer [Paul Rauch] referred to as me into his workplace after I’d been there for some time, and he requested, ‘Are you a author?’” Roberts recollects. “I mentioned, ‘No.’ He requested, ‘Why are you re-writing your dialogue?’ I mentioned that I don’t re-write my cues for different actors. I used to be 19. He mentioned, ‘When you do this once more, I’ll fireplace you.’ A couple of months later, I modified a couple of phrases. He fired me!”
“I appreciated him,” Roberts hastens so as to add. “He fired me, however I appreciated him.”
Like Roberts, VelJohnson is strolling away with nothing however gratitude. “My expertise has been nothing however nice,” the Die Laborious actor says. “I’m comfortable that I used to be with Emma [Slater] for a month. I want it’d been longer, however I’m very comfortable.”
“This has been superb,” Slater says. “I’ve mentioned to Reggie many instances that this looks like among the best seasons that I’ve ever had as a result of there’s been no stress for me. It’s been all enjoyable. All pleasure.”
VelJohnson says that he’s additionally up for making an look on the DWTS tour ought to he be invited. “Oh, certain,” he says. Provides Slater: “We come to Los Angeles. You possibly can come on stage.”
“I’d like to,” VelJohnson says. “Something with Emma is ok.”
Slater is hoping that VelJohnson’s screentime on DWTS results in future work. “I’m actually hoping that the cellphone rings off the hook for this man,” Slater enthuses, “seeing how well-liked he’s with not solely his technology and the technology that grew up watching him, however the technology of immediately who’re new to Reggie VelJohnson, and now completely love him!”
Slater has a backup plan in case Hollywood is gradual to rediscover her superstar companion. “If not, I’ll turn out to be a director myself and I’ll solid him because the lead,” she says.
“That sounds nice!” says VelJohnson.
Now that the 2 sentimental stars have left the competitors, viewers can count on the competitors to warmth up much more – particularly with three-time mirror ball champion Mark Ballas set to return to the ballroom subsequent week as a choose.
“I like and respect all of the judges however when Derek [Hough joined the judging panel] or when Julianne [Hough] did [briefly] and now, Mark – they’ve all been in our sneakers,” Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy says. “It’s actually superior to listen to their suggestions. They know what to say. I’m actually trying ahead to listening to what Mark has to say.”
Dancing With the Stars, Tuesdays, 8/7c, ABC
