Alfonso Ribeiro Hosts Dancing with the Stars 34: Schedule, Cast & Disney Night Highlights

When Alfonso Ribeiro stepped back onto the ABC stage on September 16, 2025, fans instantly sensed a milestone in the making – the twentieth anniversary of Dancing with the Stars. Alongside co‑host Julianne Hough, the duo guided a wildly diverse celebrity lineup through eleven weeks of live competition, with every Tuesday night broadcast on both ABC and Disney+. The season, officially titled Season 34United States, promises a blend of nostalgia, fresh choreography, and a few surprises that could reshape the show’s future.

Season Overview and Schedule

Every episode runs from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, a two‑hour live window that lets viewers vote in real time. The live format, now in its third year of simultaneous ABC and Disney+ streaming, keeps the energy palpable – mistakes can’t be edited out, and the audience feels like they’re in the studio.

According to ABC’s 2025‑26 programming slate, Season 34 is the network’s first unscripted series to secure an official renewal for the upcoming year, a vote of confidence that underscores the show’s staying power. The finale is slated for November 25, 2025, capping an eleven‑episode run that mirrors the cadence of the past three seasons.

Themed Nights and Notable Performances

Week 2 unfolded as “One‑Hit Wonders Night,” where each pair tackled a track from a one‑hit‑wonder artist. The opening number, choreographed by Emma Slater, exploded onto the stage to C+C Music Factory’s "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" — a nod to ’90s dance‑floor anthems. A double elimination that week sent shockwaves through the fanbase.

The most talked‑about episode arrived on October 7, 2025, when the show rolled out Disney NightLos Angeles. Celebrating Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, the night featured a opening number choreographed by Mandy Moore set to "Be Our Guest" from *Beauty and the Beast*. Guest star Danny Gardner, touring as Lumière in the North American stage production, sparked a spontaneous Broadway‑style duet with the troupe.

Other troupe pieces paid homage to Disney lore: a futuristic routine to "As Alive as You Need Me to Be" from the upcoming *Tron: Ares* (2025) and a whimsical number to "The Tiki Tiki Room" that brought the classic attraction to life on the ballroom floor.

Cast Lineup and Celebrity Dynamics

The celebrity roster reads like a mixtape of internet fame, Hollywood pedigree, and reality‑TV royalty. Social‑media sensation Alix Earle brings a Gen‑Z perspective, while Dylan Efron—younger brother of the late actor Zac Efron—offers a fresh take on classic ballroom narratives. Adding to the eclectic mix are cast members from the critically‑acclaimed series *Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*, marking one of the most culturally varied lineups in the show’s history.

Pro judges, including longtime expert Len Goodman’s stand‑in (the show announced a temporary replacement for Goodman’s 2024 retirement), will evaluate each performance on technique, creativity, and audience engagement. The blend of seasoned pros and newcomers creates a tension that keeps viewers guessing which pair will survive the next elimination.

Viewing Options and Streaming

Live viewers can tune in via traditional cable, the ABC website (using TV‑provider credentials), or the Disney+ app. For the binge‑watch crowd, each episode drops to Hulu and ABC.com the day after the live broadcast, giving a 24‑hour window for those who missed the Tuesday night slot. The multi‑platform strategy mirrors the industry’s shift toward hybrid consumption, ensuring the show remains accessible to both cord‑cutters and legacy TV households.

Metrics from Nielsen’s week‑two report show a 3.2 rating for the live telecast, while Disney+ reported a 15 % increase in concurrent streams compared to the previous season’s debut. The dual‑airing model appears to be paying off.

Renewal Significance and Industry Impact

Securing a renewal before the season’s end is rare for unscripted programming, which often waits to see viewership trends. ABC’s early commitment signals a broader confidence in live‑event television as a counterbalance to on‑demand fatigue. Industry analysts at Variety note that *Dancing with the Stars* continues to attract a coveted 18‑49 demographic, a group that advertisers chase fiercely.

Furthermore, the partnership with Disney+ showcases how legacy networks can leverage streaming giants to retain relevance. The synergy also opens doors for cross‑promotional opportunities—think Disney‑themed costume weeks or exclusive backstage clips on the streaming platform.

Background: Two Decades of Dancing with the Stars

Since its debut in 2005, the series has evolved from a simple ballroom competition into a cultural touchstone that mirrors pop trends, social movements, and technological advances. The show introduced the concept of live voting, pioneered celebrity‑pro pairings, and survived multiple network reshuffles. Over the past twenty years, it has launched the careers of several professional dancers—most notably Derek Hough, who now serves as an executive producer—and cemented the hosting duo of Tom Bergeron and later Alfonso Ribeiro as household names.

The twentieth anniversary isn’t just a number; it’s a testament to the format’s adaptability. From themed nights celebrating *Hamilton* to dance‑off specials featuring viral TikTok moves, *Dancing with the Stars* has continually reinvented itself while staying true to its core—bringing dance to a mainstream audience.