#Derek Hough on Why He Saved Carole Baskin Over Charles Oakley on ‘DWTS’

Charles Oakley (New York Knicks) and Carole Baskin (Tiger King) weren’t the only ones under pressure in the finale moments of Dancing With the Stars last night. While Oakley was the one who was sent packing, Derek Hough, new to the ballroom as a regular judge this season, had to deliver his decision as to who he wanted to see saved in a very short amount of time.

Hough told TV Insider and a small group of reporters after the show that it’s more than a bit challenging when he sees the clock ticking away with only a few seconds left and he needs to render his decision. “Carrie Ann [Inaba] was like, ‘Let me tell you why [I’m choosing who I’m choosing] and Bruno’s like, ‘Let me tell you why…’” Hough notes with a good-natured chuckle. “Then, it was, ‘Derek you have to give us an answer!’”

Fortunately, Hough, who first appeared on the show in Season 5, knows the drill. “Hey, it’s my job,” he says. “I can’t complain.” Plus, he reveals, to his understanding, he won’t be the one called upon to be a potential tie-breaker each week. “It’ll trade off,” he muses, adding wryly, “but I want to thank everyone for leaving it up to me!”

It wasn’t so much having to cast the deciding vote, but that he wasn’t able to fully convey on air while he chose to save Baskin over Oakley that caused Hough to lament the show isn’t longer than two hours!

“It really was the progress that [Carole] had made,” says Hough, who caught himself being lost in the “beauty and grace” of Baskin’s Viennese Waltz with partner Pasha Pashkov as to why he chose her. “I had to look at it from that perspective.”

Fortunately, Hough was able to talk to Oakley after the show and told him that he genuinely made him happy when he danced. “He came ready to do the show,” the dance pro turned judge says. “I always appreciate that.”

While Baskin and Pashkov got the good news that they’re making it to week 3, Hough is celebrating his own joy – the two-time Emmy-winner and six-time mirror ball champion has signed an overall deal to host and develop specials and entertainment programming for the alphabet network.

“There are already a few projects that are coming up,” he teases. “I felt like it was a right fit with ABC and Disney for things we have in mind.”

What does this mean for Hough’s other dance series that he judges, World of Dance, on NBC? “All the conversations we’ve had have been support and collaborative,” he says, adding, “Right now, I haven’t heard anything from [World of Dance yet]. Right now, we’re focused on new adventures.”

Hough’s in no rush for couples to leave the competition, but he is hoping that soon there’s more air time for him to go into detailed critiques that will ideally help couples deliver more entertaining routines.

“There are definitely moments where I’d love to say, ‘Choreographically, try this approach,’” Hough says. “Sometimes, that will be said off-screen [but] I genuinely want to help people improve.”

TV Insider asked Hough if he will be stepping away from the judges table to hit the dance floor himself this season. “Yes, there is a plan [for me] to dance,” he reveals. “We’re trying to work it out, figure it out. Obviously, there are limitations [due to COVID], but I enjoy limitations. They force you to be creative. It’ll be further along [into the season]…when there’s time.”

While Hough doesn’t bring judge Len Goodman’s endearing grumpiness to his role as the center judge, he does hope that the two have some things in common. “I think that [like Len] I’m fair and honest,” Hough says. “I have decades in ballroom and Latin [dancing], but I also have to be mindful of not using [too technical] terms.”

What’s characters might we seen next week for Disney week? “I feel like it’s all been covered [over the seasons],” he muses. “I’m trying to think of some characters that haven’t been done yet. I’m looking forward to seeing some new characters.”

The performer won’t be surprised to see if Baskin and Pashkov go with another feline-theme given the Tiger King star’s first two songs were Eye of the Tiger and What’s New Pussycat? “You guys want to put money on Lion King?” he grins. “Should we put some bets down?”

Dancing With the Stars, Mondays, 8/7c, ABC