Due to the ongoing strike between the Writer’s Union and Studios, Deadline has revealed that Matt Walsh has paused his participation in the upcoming thirty-second season of “Dancing With The Stars”, which is currently scheduled to air live on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesday 26th September 2023, due to him being a member of the writers guild and the show is considered a struck show.

Matt Walsh is a two-time Emmy Award-nominated actor from HBO’s award-winning comedy series “Veep.” He is a founding member of the iconic sketch/improv theater Upright Citizens Brigade, and he recently appeared in Hulu’s “Unplugging” which he co-wrote and starred alongside Eva Longoria. Other credits include the CBS series “Ghosts,” Fox Searchlight’s “Flamin’ Hot” and co-host of the podcast “Second in Command” on All Things Comedy.  In addition to his film and TV work, Walsh works with the charities Open Books (which donates LGBTQ+-affirming books to public elementary schools) and Defy Ventures (which helps mentor and find employment for formerly incarcerated men and women).

Matt Walsh made a statement to Deadline about his decision to pause his involvement:

“I am taking a pause from Dancing with the Stars until an agreement is made with the WGA.  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. I have been and will always stand with my union members of the WGA, SAG and DGA.  Beyond our union artists, I am sensitive to the many people impacted by the strike and I hope for a speedy and fair resolution, and to one day work again with all the wonderful people I met at DWTSwho tolerated my dancing,”

Earlier this week, a picket formed outside the rehearsal space the celebrities were using, which has added to more pressure on the celebrities involved in the show.   Apparently, Disney is making plans, if it needs to, to delay the show’s premiere, especially if more actors pull out or if the writer’s strike continues.  While the show does include many actors, because this show isn’t a scripted series that requires any acting, it doesn’t fall under the current actor’s strike.

Are you looking forward to watching “Dancing With The Stars”?  Let us know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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