Season 8

Season eight of Dancing with the Stars premiered on Monday, March 9, 2009, as part of ABC's spring line-up. The show generally followed the format of previous seasons, with 13 couples, although there were some changes, including two new dances, and an occasional dance-off between the bottom two couples, in order to determine who will be eliminated. The show was again hosted by Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris. Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba all returned as judges again this season. Originally, the season was advertised as the first U.S. season where a husband and wife would compete against each other: rodeo champion Ty Murray and singer-songwriter Jewel. The two had married the previous year after a ten-year courtship. However, just prior to the series, Jewel fractured both her tibias and was unable to perform. She was replaced on the show by Playboy model Holly Madison. Murray chose to continue on the show, and Jewel appeared during the season as a special musical guest. Nancy O'Dell, the then co-host of Access Hollywood, was also originally announced to be on the show, but was forced to withdraw from the competition due to a torn meniscus, which required surgery. She was replaced by Melissa Rycroft, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader who won season 13 of The Bachelor. She only had two days to practice her first dance.

1. 1Episode 8019 Mar 2009Season eight begins with an all new set of dancers and an all-new feature in which a dance off will be held between the bottom 2 couples facing elimination during the early rounds.
2. 2Episode 80216 Mar 2009Week two of performances finds the contestants dancing the salsa or the quickstep.
3. 3Episode 802A17 Mar 2009The results from the first round are revealed. Jewel (who was forced to leave the show due to an injury) joins the show for a song, along with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Also included is a Busby Berkley inspired from choreographer Michael Rooney, plus the seasons first dance off held between the lowest scoring two couples.
4. 4Episode 80323 Mar 2009Week three finds the performers dancing the fox trot or the samba.
5. 5Episode 803A24 Mar 2009The third results show also has a performance by singer Adele and the duo Hall & Oates.
6. 6Episode 80430 Mar 2009Week four's performances include the Argentine tango and the Lindy Hop.
7. 7Episode 804A31 Mar 2009The fourth round of performances has led to two more contestants being released.
8. 8Episode 8056 Apr 2009Week five performances has the contestants dancing the paso doble or Viennese waltz.
9. 9Episode 805A7 Apr 2009Week five brings another elimination for one team, after Grammy Award singer Etta James and Demi Lovato each sing, while the second Macy's Stars of Dance perform.
10. 10Episode 80613 Apr 2009Week six in the competition finds the performers dancing the rumba or the jive.
11. 11Episode 806A14 Apr 2009The results of round six are revealed, along with a performance from Rascal Flatts.
12. 12Episode 80720 Apr 2009Week seven finds the contestants participating in a 1960's themed group dance.
13. 13Episode 807A21 Apr 2009Week seven finds one more dancer removed from the show, along with a performance from Natasha Bedingfield and the Irish music group Celtic Women.
14. 14Episode 80827 Apr 2009Week eight of the competition finds the contestants dancing as a single and as a team.
15. 15Episode 808A28 Apr 2009Week eight of the competition finds one more voted off. Also, a performance by Robin Thicke, and the professional dancing competition continues.
16. 16Episode 8094 May 2009Week nine finds the remaining contestants having to perform in two different dance styles.
17. 17Episode 809A5 May 2009
18. 18Episode 81011 May 2009Week 10 finds only four dancers remaining as they have two new dances to learn.
19. 19Episode 810A12 May 2009The results for week 10 are revealed as one more dancer is eliminated. Also, a performance from Raphael Saadiq; the Design-A-Dance elements are revealed; and the two finalists are compete in the professional dancer competition.
20. 20Episode 81118 May 2009Week 11 is also the final week of performances for season 8, as each of the three remaining couples will dance the paso doble and a freestyle routine.
21. 21Episode 811A19 May 2009The season eight finale finds the remaining three celebrities performing a third dance before a winner is announced. Also featured during this episode is a roast of the finalists by Jeffrey Ross, a singing performance by Lady Gaga and the winner of the professional dance competition is announced.