Season 8
Overview
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.
Episodes
1. Episode 801
2009-03-09
Season 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. Episode 802
2009-03-16
Week two of performances finds the contestants dancing the salsa or the quickstep.
3. Episode 802A
2009-03-17
The 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. Episode 803
2009-03-23
Week three finds the performers dancing the fox trot or the samba.
5. Episode 803A
2009-03-24
The third results show also has a performance by singer Adele and the duo Hall & Oates.
6. Episode 804
2009-03-30
Week four's performances include the Argentine tango and the Lindy Hop.
7. Episode 804A
2009-03-31
The fourth round of performances has led to two more contestants being released.
8. Episode 805
2009-04-06
Week five performances has the contestants dancing the paso doble or Viennese waltz.
9. Episode 805A
2009-04-07
Week 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. Episode 806
2009-04-13
Week six in the competition finds the performers dancing the rumba or the jive.
11. Episode 806A
2009-04-14
The results of round six are revealed, along with a performance from Rascal Flatts.
12. Episode 807
2009-04-20
Week seven finds the contestants participating in a 1960's themed group dance.
13. Episode 807A
2009-04-21
Week seven finds one more dancer removed from the show, along with a performance from Natasha Bedingfield and the Irish music group Celtic Women.
14. Episode 808
2009-04-27
Week eight of the competition finds the contestants dancing as a single and as a team.
15. Episode 808A
2009-04-28
Week eight of the competition finds one more voted off. Also, a performance by Robin Thicke, and the professional dancing competition continues.
16. Episode 809
2009-05-04
Week nine finds the remaining contestants having to perform in two different dance styles.
17. Episode 809A
2009-05-05
No overview available.
18. Episode 810
2009-05-11
Week 10 finds only four dancers remaining as they have two new dances to learn.
19. Episode 810A
2009-05-12
The 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. Episode 811
2009-05-18
Week 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. Episode 811A
2009-05-19
The 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.