Emmys 2012: First-Time Winner Tom Bergeron Talks 'DWTS: All-Stars' and Maks' Exit

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After receiving his first Emmy for his 14-season gig hosting Dancing With the Stars, Tom Bergeron had more appreciation for reigning winner Jeff Probst backstage.

"I wasn't kidding when I thanked him for not being nominated," Bergeron said of the Survivor host, the only person to ever win the young category. "I was stunned when he wasn't nominated."

But with Dancing With the Stars returning for its All-Stars season in less than 24 hours, and colleague Maksim Chmerkovskiy once again in the news, Bergeron had other matters to discuss -- like the fact that the firecracker pro isn't leaving the show anytime soon.

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"I talked to him yesterday," Bergeron said of Chmerkovskiy. "He said it was taken out of context... it was end of his contract. I would fully understand that, but he's going to be with us beyond this season."

Chmerkovskiy is on contract through 2013, and Bergeron says that means there will be at least two more seasons of him on the show.

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As for his pick for the frontrunner of the All-Stars season, which has six previous winners coming back to the ballroom, Bergeron was tight-lipped.

"If I answer, I'll piss off 12 people," he said.

Dancing With the Stars actually has 13 competitors this time around, so it's probably good he took a pass.