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.

Season 8 Episode 20 - Episode 811

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. Air Date : 18th-May-2009

Season 8 Episode 1 - Episode 801

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. Air Date : 9th-Mar-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 2 - Episode 802

Week two of performances finds the contestants dancing the salsa or the quickstep. Air Date : 16th-Mar-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 3 - Episode 802A

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. Air Date : 17th-Mar-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 4 - Episode 803

Week three finds the performers dancing the fox trot or the samba. Air Date : 23rd-Mar-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 5 - Episode 803A

The third results show also has a performance by singer Adele and the duo Hall & Oates. Air Date : 24th-Mar-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 6 - Episode 804

Week four's performances include the Argentine tango and the Lindy Hop. Air Date : 30th-Mar-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 7 - Episode 804A

The fourth round of performances has led to two more contestants being released. Air Date : 31st-Mar-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 8 - Episode 805

Week five performances has the contestants dancing the paso doble or Viennese waltz. Air Date : 6th-Apr-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 9 - Episode 805A

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. Air Date : 7th-Apr-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 10 - Episode 806

Week six in the competition finds the performers dancing the rumba or the jive. Air Date : 13th-Apr-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 11 - Episode 806A

The results of round six are revealed, along with a performance from Rascal Flatts. Air Date : 14th-Apr-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 12 - Episode 807

Week seven finds the contestants participating in a 1960's themed group dance. Air Date : 20th-Apr-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 13 - Episode 807A

Week seven finds one more dancer removed from the show, along with a performance from Natasha Bedingfield and the Irish music group Celtic Women. Air Date : 21st-Apr-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 14 - Episode 808

Week eight of the competition finds the contestants dancing as a single and as a team. Air Date : 27th-Apr-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 15 - Episode 808A

Week eight of the competition finds one more voted off. Also, a performance by Robin Thicke, and the professional dancing competition continues. Air Date : 28th-Apr-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 16 - Episode 809

Week nine finds the remaining contestants having to perform in two different dance styles. Air Date : 4th-May-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 17 - Episode 809A

Air Date : 5th-May-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 18 - Episode 810

Week 10 finds only four dancers remaining as they have two new dances to learn. Air Date : 11th-May-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 19 - Episode 810A

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. Air Date : 12th-May-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 20 - Episode 811

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. Air Date : 18th-May-2009  Read More

Season 8 Episode 21 - Episode 811A

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. Air Date : 19th-May-2009  Read More