LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: With several A-list candidates also considering abandoning the program, 'Dancing with the Stars' producers are trying to find replacements in frantic last-minute negotiations after 'Veep' star Matt Walsh withdrew due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike.
Hollywood celebrities on the ABC series are coming under increasing pressure to leave, with protesters berating Oscar winner Mira Sorvino, and 'How I Met Your Mother' star Alyson Hannigan, for not supporting the strikers.
On September 21st, Matt, a WGA member, left the rehearsals and declared he wouldn't come back until "an agreement is made with WGA."
It comes at a time when show executives are reportedly looking into screening viewers to prevent disruptions during production, with the prospect that there won't be any viewers at all when the show premieres in late September.
According to a recent insider report, the continued strikes and protests outside the studios have caused mayhem behind the scenes, with show producers trying to find solutions, including prospective celebrity replacements, to ensure that production can continue.
"Everything is on the table, and it's going to be a really long week and weekend moving forward," a source told DailyMail.com.
"Replacement talks have started, and if replacements are to be made, being so close to the show starting could pose a problem. But the show has made changes in the past when it comes to last-minute changeups, stemming back to when Christie Brinkley couldn't do the show and her daughter ended up taking her spot."
"But one problem producers are also seeing is no one wants to join the show just to be picketed. It's a tense situation."
They further stated that Matt had spoken with show executives about the prospect of giving his money to the WGA before opting to withdraw entirely.
They said, "'To avoid any difficult situation knowing that the show is live, the show will be really looking into the audience that shows up and vetting their audience to make sure they aren't protesters."
"They have also considered having no audience in week one or an audience of people who are family members and friends to avoid any type of disturbance like what was done a few years ago with Ryan Lochte. Whatever happens, security will be at an all-time high."
Matt was met with a banner that said, "Matt Walsh, don't dance as a scab!" As he came for training on September 20, the WGA was picketing 'Dancing with the Stars' and BBC Studios, Los Angeles.
'Dancing with the Stars' is a WGA show that employs one WGA writer.
On September 21, he became the first celebrity to leave the popular program, announcing that he would be "taking a pause" from training and filming until a WGA agreement is reached.
"I am taking a pause from Dancing with the Stars until an agreement is made with WGA," he stated on Instagram.
"I was excited to join the show and did so under the impression that it was not a WGA show and fell under a different agreement. This morning, when I was informed by my union, the WGA, that it is considered struck work I walked out of my rehearsal."
It comes only one day after 25 people picketed outside the LA rehearsal facility, urging Matt, Alyson, and Mira to resign in solidarity.
When did the WGA strike begin?
More than 11,000 film and television writers who are demanding better compensation and working conditions in the streaming era are participating in the WGA strike, which started on May 2.
They have contended that their pay does not take into account the money the studios have made from streaming services.
When did the SAG-AFTRA strike begin?
The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike started on July 14, 2023, and it is still in effect today.
In response to an ongoing labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the American actors' union SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) went on strike.
When will 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 32 air?
On September 26, 2023, Dancing with the Stars' 32nd season will make its television debut on ABC and Disney+ at 8/7c.
Who is on Season 32 of 'Dancing With the Stars'?
The whole roster of 'Dancing With the Stars' has been unveiled, and it appears that this season's competition will feature a number of notable newcomers, including Ariana Madix of 'Vanderpump Rules' and Jamie Lynn Spears.
After Tyra Banks departed the program in March, Julianne Hough will now host with Alfonso Ribeiro in the upcoming season.
The dancing duos for this series are as follows:
Jamie Lynn Spears and Alan Bersten
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov
Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev
Tyson Beckford and Jenna Johnson
Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber
Matt Walsh and Koko Iwasaki
Mauricio Umansky and Emma Slater
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy
Mira Sorvino and Gleb Savchenko
Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold
Barry Williams and Peta Murgatroyd
Lele Pons and Brandon Armstrong
Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach
Adrian Peterson and Britt Stewart