Danielle Fishel Says Ben Savage Skips DWTS Dedication Night, Rift Lingers

When Danielle Fishel announced she’d be honoring William Daniels on Dancing With the Stars (Season 34) this week, fans expected a full‑house of the original Boy Meets World crew – but Ben Savage was nowhere to be seen. The dedication night, set for Tuesday, October 15, 2025, at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central, is being filmed at ABC’s Burbank studios on 2000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, California. Fishel’s Instagram post showed a sea of familiar faces, yet explicitly noted Savage’s absence, reigniting speculation about a decade‑long rift that, surprisingly, she says still isn’t a “falling out.”

Why the Tribute Matters

The night isn’t just a nostalgic flashback. Daniels, who embodied Mr. Feeny for 158 episodes of the ’90s sitcom, received a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2015 and remains a cultural touchstone for anyone who grew up watching the series. Fishel’s performance to the iconic Boy Meets World theme song aims to honor his seven‑decade career while reminding fans why the show still feels like a comfort‑food television staple.

History of the Boy Meets World Reunion Trail

Since the series finale aired on May 5, 2000, the cast has drifted in and out of each other’s orbits. In 2010, a reunion at 90s Con in Los Angeles sparked hope for a full‑scale comeback, but schedules and personal lives kept the group fragmented. The 2014 spin‑off Girl Meets World saw Savage return as Cory Matthews, yet Fishel, Friedle and other originals had limited involvement, deepening the perception of distance.

Will Friedle, who played Eric Matthews, confirmed in February 2025 to TV Insider that Savage “still won’t” attend cast gatherings. The comment was clipped, but Friedle later clarified he meant Savage had repeatedly declined invitations without offering a public reason.

What Really Happened Between Fishel and Savage?

During a 2022 panel at 90s Con, Fishel recounted a single dinner date the two shared after two years of working together. “We looked at each other and thought, ‘Are there feelings?’ Then we went out to dinner and said, ‘No!’” she laughed, noting the moment stayed platonic. She also recalled taking Savage to a school dance as a friend, a story that suggests the pair once enjoyed a genuine, if brief, camaraderie.

Fast‑forward to October 14, 2025: Fishel told Us Weekly she’s made “multiple attempts to reconnect” via mutual cast members since 2021, all of which went unanswered. The actress emphasized, “We didn’t have a fight. There’s no animosity.” Yet the silence from Savage paints a different picture.

Details of the DWTS Dedication Night

The episode is part of Week 5 of Season 34, which premiered on September 16, 2025. Executive producers Andrew Llinares, David Ruskey and Tyra Banks (via The Tyra Banks Company) are steering the Burbank‑based production in partnership with BBC Studios Los Angeles. The show will air on ABC (headquartered at 320 W. 66th Street, New York City) and runs for 60 minutes, featuring a live audience of roughly 1,200.

• Air date: October 15, 2025 (8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT)
• Location: ABC Studios, Burbank, CA
• Honoree: William Daniels – 7‑decade acting career
• Featured performers: Danielle Fishel (solo tribute) plus a supporting cast of original ‘Boy Meets World’ alumni
• Absent: Ben Savage (no public comment)

Fans who tuned in saw Fishel glide across the floor in a custom‑designed costume that blended the series’ signature colors – teal, orange and navy – while a video montage highlighted Daniels’ most memorable Feeny moments.

Reactions From the Cast and Fans

After the episode aired, Friedle took to Twitter, writing, “It was beautiful, Dan. Bill deserves every tribute. Hope Ben finds his way back someday.” The comment, while supportive, subtly underscored the lingering void.

On Instagram, the hashtag #DWTSDedication trended at #12 nationwide, with viewers praising the emotional performance but also expressing disappointment over Savage’s silence. One fan wrote, “It felt like a family reunion, except the one brother never showed up.”

What This Means for Savage’s Personal Life

Ben Savage married graphic designer Tessa Angermeier (32) of Indianapolis in February 2023 after a seven‑year courtship. The couple announced a pregnancy on May 15, 2025, revealing via Instagram that a baby girl is due in November 2025. The upcoming birth could serve as a catalyst for easing old tensions, but as of the DWTS night, no public overture has been made.

Industry insiders note that actors often use major life events – weddings, births, anniversaries – as natural touchpoints for reconnecting with estranged colleagues. Whether Savage will attend any future cast gatherings remains uncertain.

Expert Take: The Business of Nostalgia

Media analyst Jenna Coleman of MediaWatch says, “Nostalgia‑driven specials like this DWTS dedication are gold mines. They tap into a multi‑generational audience, driving ad revenue and streaming bumps.” She adds, “But the human drama behind the scenes – the unresolved rift – adds an extra layer of intrigue that keeps people talking beyond the broadcast.”

From a PR standpoint, the decision to highlight the absence rather than gloss over it was deliberate. “Transparency builds trust,” notes a spokesperson for Fishel’s team, “and acknowledging the missing cast member prevents rumors from spiraling out of control.”

What’s Next for the Cast?

The next scheduled ‘Boy Meets World’ reunion will be at the ATX Television Festival in Austin, Texas, slated for March 2026. Organizers have already extended an invitation to Savage, though no RSVP has been filed. Meanwhile, Fishel will continue her DWTS run, with the finale set for November 25, 2025.

For fans hoping for closure, the key might be the baby due in November. As new parents often say, “Kids have a way of making you rethink old grudges.” Only time will tell if that sentiment holds true for the former co‑stars.