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Dancing with the Stars
Season 8
Promotional poster, featuring former pro dancer Edyta Śliwińska
Hosted by	Tom Bergeron Samantha Harris
Judges	Carrie Ann Inaba Len Goodman Bruno Tonioli
Celebrity winner	Shawn Johnson
Professional winner	Mark Ballas
No. of episodes	21
Release
Original network	ABC
Original release	March 9 (2009-03-09) – May 19, 2009 (2009-05-19)
Season chronology
← Previous Season 7Next → Season 9

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.

Cast

Couples

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. 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. She was replaced by Melissa Rycroft, who had won season 13 of The Bachelor.

Future appearances

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.

Host and judges

The show was again co-hosted by Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris. Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba returned as judges.

Scoring chart

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:

Notes

1. This couple finished in first place.
2. This couple finished in second place.
3. This couple finished in third place.
4. ^ This couple was in the bottom two, but was not eliminated.
5. ^ This couple was eliminated.

Weekly scores

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.

Week 1

Each couple performed either the cha-cha-cha or waltz. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Week 2

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.

Week 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.

Week 4

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.

Week 5

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.

Week 6

Each couple performed either the jive or rumba. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Week 7

Each couple performed one unlearned dance, and they all participated in a group swing dance. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Week 8

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.

Week 9

Each couple performed two unlearned dances. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Week 10

Each couple performed two unlearned dances. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Week 11: Finals

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.

Night 1

Night 2

Dance chart

The couples performed the following each week:

• Week 1: One unlearned dance (cha-cha-cha or waltz)
• Week 2: One unlearned dance (quickstep or salsa)
• Week 3: One unlearned dance (foxtrot or samba)
• Week 4: One unlearned dance (Argentine tango or Lindy Hop)
• Week 5: One unlearned dance (paso doble or Viennese waltz)
• Week 6: One unlearned dance (jive or rumba)
• Week 7: One unlearned dance & swing group dance
• Week 8: One unlearned dance & team dance
• Week 9: Two unlearned dances
• Week 10: Two unlearned dances
• Week 11 (Night 1): Group paso doble & freestyle
• Week 11 (Night 2): Favorite dance of the season

Color key:

Notes

1. No scores were received for this dance.

References

1. May 20, Annie Barrett Updated; EDT, 2009 at 04:00 PM. "Dancing with the Stars season finale recap: Shawn and Mark Flip Out". EW.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
2. ^ theseat42f (March 6, 2009). "Jewel And Nancy O'Dell Withdraw From Season 8 Of Dancing With The Stars | Seat42F". seat42f.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
3. "Steve-O misses 'Dancing' due to injury". Digital Spy. March 17, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
4. "Dancing with the Stars: Melissa Rycroft Injured - Rehearsal Footage". Peoplemag. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
5. "Melissa Injured, Misses 'Dancing'". Extra. Retrieved September 14, 2022.

External links

• Official website

• Dancing with the Stars (American TV series)
• 2009 American television seasons