Season eight of Dancing with the Stars premiered on Monday, March 9, 2009, on the ABC network.
The show generally followed the format of previous seasons, with thirteen couples, although there were some changes, including two new dances, the Argentine tango and Lindy Hop, and an occasional dance-off between the bottom two couples, in order to determine who would be eliminated.
Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas were crowned the champions, while Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke finished in second place, and Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani finished third.[1]
This season featured thirteen celebrity contestants. This season was originally advertised as the first American season where a husband and wife would compete against each other: rodeo champion Ty Murray and singer-songwriter Jewel. However, Jewel fractured both of her tibiae and was unable to compete.[2] She was replaced by Holly Madison. Murray chose to continue on the show, while Jewel appeared during the season as a special musical guest. Nancy O'Dell, 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.[2] She was replaced by Melissa Rycroft, who had won season 13 of The Bachelor.
Shawn Johnson, Gilles Marini, and Melissa Rycroft later competed in the All-Stars season, where Johnson was paired with Derek Hough, Marini was paired with Peta Murgatroyd, and Rycroft remained with Tony Dovolani.
The show was again co-hosted by Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris. Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba returned as judges.
The highest score each week is indicated in bold green with a dagger (†), while the lowest score each week is indicated in italicized red with a double-dagger (‡).
Color key:
Individual judges scores in charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.
Each couple performed either the cha-cha-cha or waltz. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Each couple performed either the quickstep or salsa. The two couples in the bottom two competed against each other in a dance-off to determine which would also be eliminated. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Due to an injury, Steve-O was unable to dance on the live show, so his rehearsal footage was shown and scored instead.[3]
Each couple performed either the foxtrot or samba. The two couples in the bottom two competed against each other in a dance-off to determine which would also be eliminated. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Each couple performed either the Argentine tango or Lindy Hop. Two couples were eliminated at the end of the night. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Each couple performed either the paso doble or Viennese waltz. The two couples in the bottom two competed against each other in a dance-off to determine which would also be eliminated. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Each couple performed either the jive or rumba. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Each couple performed one unlearned dance, and they all participated in a group swing dance. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Each couple performed one unlearned dance, plus participated in a group dance. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Due to an injury, Melissa Rycroft was unable to perform her jive or participate in the team dance on the live show. Lacey Schwimmer filled in for her on the team dance, while Rycroft's rehearsal footage for her jive was shown and scored instead.[4][5]
Each couple performed two unlearned dances. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Each couple performed two unlearned dances. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
On the first night, each couple competed in a group paso doble, where they each received their own set of scores, and then performed their freestyle routines. On the second night, each couple performed their favorite dance of the season. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
The couples performed the following each week:
Color key:
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