Dancing with the Stars (American TV series) season 8 explained

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Celebrity Winner:Shawn Johnson
Professional Winner:Mark Ballas
Num Episodes:21
Network:ABC

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]

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

CelebrityNotabilityProfessional partnerStatus
Singer-songwriterEliminated 1st
on March 17, 2009
ActressEliminated 2nd
on March 24, 2009
Playboy model & reality television personalityEliminated 3rd
on March 31, 2009
Apple co-founderEliminated 4th
on March 31, 2009
Actor & comedianEliminated 5th
on April 7, 2009
Jackass starEliminated 6th
on April 14, 2009
NFL linebackerEliminated 7th
on April 21, 2009
Country singerEliminated 8th
on April 28, 2009
RapperEliminated 9th
on May 5, 2009
Rodeo cowboyEliminated 10th
on May 12, 2009
The Bachelor contestantThird place
on May 19, 2009
ActorRunners-up
on May 19, 2009
Olympic artistic gymnastWinners
on May 19, 2009
Future appearancesShawn 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 with a dagger, while the lowest score each week is indicated in with a double-dagger .

Color key:

Couple! scope="col" rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;
Week
121+234567891011
Night 1Night 2
Shawn & Mark1st2324472526262827+25=5227+29=5630+26=5628+30=+30=
Gilles & Cheryl2nd262727+28=5529+27=5630+30=30+28=+30=
Melissa & Tony3rd23264929252721+25=27+30=28+27=5529+27=+30=
Ty & Chelsie4th142034232521182424+28=5225+21=25+23=
Lil' Kim & Derek5th2123442527262628+28=25+27=52
Chuck & Julianne6th202040232223232726+25=51
Lawrence & Edyta7th16203620192022
Steve-O & Lacey8th17311515
David & Kym9th191736242222
Steve & Karina10th17
Holly & Dmitry11th1818361716
Denise & Maks12th18213916
Belinda & Jonathan13th171835
Notes

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.

CoupleScoresDanceMusic
Lil' Kim & Derek21 (7, 7, 7)Cha-cha-cha"Nasty" — Janet Jackson
Belinda & Jonathan17 (6, 6, 5)Waltz"What the World Needs Now Is Love" — Jackie DeShannon
Lawrence & Edyta16 (6, 5, 5)Cha-cha-cha"Twenty-Five Miles" — Edwin Starr
Steve-O & Lacey17 (6, 5, 6)Waltz"Vito's Waltz" — 101 Strings Orchestra
Gilles & Cheryl24 (8, 8, 8)Cha-cha-cha"Addicted to Love" — Robert Palmer
Chuck & Julianne20 (6, 7, 7)Waltz"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" — Elvis Presley
Holly & Dmitry18 (6, 6, 6)Cha-cha-cha"Just Dance" — Lady Gaga, feat. Colby O'Donis
Ty & Chelsie14 (5, 4, 5)Cha-cha-cha"Train in Vain" — The Clash
Shawn & Mark23 (8, 8, 7)Waltz"It is You (I Have Loved)" — Dana Glover
Steve & Karina13 (5, 4, 4)Cha-cha-cha"You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" — Bachman-Turner Overdrive
David & Kym19 (6, 7, 6)Waltz"You Light Up My Life" — Debby Boone
Denise & Maks18 (6, 6, 6)Cha-cha-cha"Nothin' but a Good Time" — Poison
Melissa & Tony23 (8, 7, 8)Waltz"Moon River" — Andy Williams

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.[3]

CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Holly & Dmitry18 (6, 6, 6)Quickstep"We Are in Love" — Harry Connick Jr.Safe
David & Kym17 (6, 5, 6)Salsa"El Cumbanchero" — Angel Meléndez and the 911 Mambo OrchestraSafe
Denise & Maks21 (7, 7, 7)Quickstep"We Go Together" — from GreaseSafe
Belinda & Jonathan18 (6, 6, 6)Salsa"Higher" — Gloria Estefanbgcolor=lightblue Bottom two
Ty & Chelsie20 (7, 6, 7)Quickstep"Life Is a Highway" — Rascal FlattsSafe
Shawn & Mark24 (8, 8, 8)Salsa"Las Muchachas" — Johnny PachecoSafe
Steve & Karina17 (6, 5, 6)Quickstep"Oh, Boy!" — Buddy Hollybgcolor=lightblue Bottom two
Chuck & Julianne20 (6, 7, 7)Salsa"Say Hey (I Love You)" — Michael Franti & SpearheadSafe
Lawrence & Edyta20 (7, 6, 7)Quickstep"As Long as I'm Singing" — The Brian Setzer OrchestraSafe
Steve-O & Lacey14 (5, 4, 5)Salsa"Cobrastyle" — TeddybearsSafe
Lil' Kim & Derek23 (8, 7, 8)Quickstep"Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" — Marilyn MonroeSafe
Melissa & Tony26 (9, 8, 9)Salsa"The Cup of Life" — Ricky MartinSafe
Gilles & Cheryl27 (9, 9, 9)Quickstep"Kryptonite" — 3 Doors DownSafe
Couple! scope="col"
ScoresDanceMusicResult
Belinda & Jonathan17 (5, 6, 6)Salsa"Higher" — Gloria Estefanbgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Steve & Karina17 (6, 5, 6)Quickstep"Oh, Boy!" — Buddy HollySafe

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.

CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Denise & Maks16 (5, 6, 5)Samba"Take a Picture" — Filterbgcolor=lightblue Bottom two
Chuck & Julianne23 (8, 7, 8)Foxtrot"All I Want To Do" — SugarlandSafe
Holly & Dmitry17 (5, 6, 6)Samba"Bananza (Belly Dancer)" — Akonbgcolor=lightblue Bottom two
Steve-O & Lacey15 (5, 5, 5)Foxtrot"I'm Yours" — Jason MrazSafe
Lawrence & Edyta20 (7, 6, 7)Samba"I Can't Get Next To You" — The TemptationsSafe
Shawn & Mark27 (9, 9, 9)Foxtrot"More Than This" — Norah JonesSafe
Gilles & Cheryl27 (9, 9, 9)Samba"El Matador" — Los Fabulosos CadillacsSafe
David & Kym24 (8, 8, 8)Foxtrot"Come Rain or Come Shine" — Natalie ColeSafe
Steve & Karina10 (4, 3, 3)Samba"Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)" — Harry BelafonteSafe
Melissa & Tony27 (9, 9, 9)Foxtrot"Recipe for Love" — Harry Connick Jr.Safe
Lil' Kim & Derek25 (8, 8, 9)Samba"Remedio P'al Corazon" — Alberto PlazaSafe
Ty & Chelsie23 (8, 8, 7)Foxtrot"Come Dance with Me" — Frank SinatraSafe
Couple! scope="col"
ScoresDanceMusicResult
Holly & Dmitry18 (6, 6, 6)Samba"Bananza (Belly Dancer)" — AkonSafe
Denise & Maks20 (6, 7, 7)Samba"Take a Picture" — Filterbgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated

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.

CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
David & Kym22 (8, 7, 7)Lindy Hop"Bandstand Boogie" — Barry ManilowSafe
Lil' Kim & Derek27 (9, 8, 10)Argentine tango"Taquito Militar" — Conjunto Tipico Del TangoSafe
Chuck & Julianne22 (8, 7, 7)Lindy Hop"Summertime Blues" — Brian SetzerSafe
Lawrence & Edyta19 (7, 5, 7)Argentine tango"Suite Punta Del Este" — Ástor PiazzollaSafe
Ty & Chelsie25 (9, 8, 8)Lindy Hop"You and Me and the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)" — Big Bad Voodoo DaddySafe
Steve & Karina12 (4, 4, 4)Argentine tango"Cité Tango" — Gotan Projectbgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Melissa & Tony29 (10, 9, 10)Lindy Hop"Brown Derby Jump" — Cherry Poppin' DaddiesSafe
Holly & Dmitry16 (5, 6, 5)Argentine tango"Libertango" — Bondbgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Steve-O & Lacey15 (5, 5, 5)Lindy Hop"Dance Little Sister" — The Rolling Stonesbgcolor=lightblue Bottom three
Gilles & CherylArgentine tango"Assassin's Tango" — John PowellSafe
Shawn & Mark25 (8, 8, 9)Lindy Hop"Ready Teddy" — Little RichardSafe

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.

CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Chuck & Julianne23 (7, 8, 8)Viennese waltz"Feels Like Today" — Rascal FlattsSafe
Lawrence & Edyta20 (6, 7, 7)Paso doble"Granada" — Agustín Larabgcolor=lightblue Bottom two
Shawn & Mark26 (9, 8, 9)Viennese waltz"Ordinary Day" — Vanessa CarltonSafe
Melissa & Tony25 (8, 8, 9)Paso doble"Poker Face" — Lady GagaSafe
David & Kym22 (7, 8, 7)Viennese waltz"I Put a Spell on You" — Screamin' Jay Hawkinsbgcolor=lightblue Bottom two
Gilles & Cheryl29 (10, 9, 10)Paso doble"Habanera" — Charlotte ChurchSafe
Steve-O & Lacey18 (6, 6, 6)Viennese waltz"Complainte de la Butte" — Rufus WainwrightSafe
Ty & Chelsie21 (7, 7, 7)Paso doble"Barracuda" — HeartSafe
Lil' Kim & Derek26 (9, 8, 9)Viennese waltz"I'll Be" — Edwin McCainSafe
Couple! scope="col"
ScoresDanceMusicResult
David & Kym24 (8, 8, 8)Viennese waltz"I Put a Spell on You" — Screamin' Jay Hawkinsbgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Lawrence & Edyta20 (6, 7, 7)Paso doble"Granada" — Agustín LaraSafe

Week 6

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

CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Ty & Chelsie18 (6, 6, 6)Jive"The Girl's Gone Wild" — Travis TrittSafe
Shawn & Mark26 (8, 9, 9)Rumba"Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" — John MayerSafe
Lawrence & Edyta22 (7, 7, 8)Jive"Ain't That Peculiar" — Marvin GayeSafe
Melissa & Tony27 (9, 9, 9)Rumba"If I Were a Boy" — BeyoncéSafe
Lil' Kim & Derek28 (10, 8, 10)Jive"Jailhouse Rock" — Elvis PresleySafe
Steve-O & Lacey16 (7, 4, 5)Rumba"Fall for You" — Secondhand Serenadebgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Gilles & Cheryl26 (9, 8, 9)Jive"Dance, Dance" — Fall Out BoySafe
Chuck & Julianne23 (8, 7, 8)Rumba"She Will Be Loved" — Maroon 5Safe

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.

CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Melissa & Tony29 (10, 9, 10)Argentine tango"Mi Confesión" — Gotan ProjectSafe
Lawrence & Edyta21 (7, 7, 7)Waltz"Open Arms" — Journeybgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Lil' Kim & Derek26 (9, 8, 9)Rumba"Lost Without U" — Robin ThickeSafe
Chuck & Julianne27 (9, 9, 9)Samba"Bailá, Bailá" — Angela Via, feat. Joe BuddenSafe
Ty & Chelsie24 (8, 8, 8)Waltz"Strawberry Wine" — Deana CarterSafe
Shawn & Mark28 (9, 9, 10)Cha-cha-cha"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" — Michael JacksonSafe
Gilles & Cheryl27 (9, 9, 9)Viennese waltz"I Go to Sleep" — The PretendersSafe
Chuck & Julianne
Gilles & Cheryl
Lawrence & Edyta
Lil' Kim & Derek
Melissa & Tony
Shawn & Mark
Ty & Chelsie
No scores
received
Group
Swing
"The Clapping Song" — Shirley Ellis

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.[4] [5]

CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Gilles & Cheryl27 (9, 9, 9)Lindy Hop"Go Daddy-O" — Big Bad Voodoo DaddySafe
Lil' Kim & Derek28 (9, 9, 10)Paso doble"El gato montés" — Manuel PenellaSafe
Chuck & Julianne26 (9, 9, 8)Cha-cha-cha"I'm Outta Love" — Anastaciabgcolor=f4c7b8 Eliminated
Shawn & Mark27 (10, 8, 9)Samba"Get Down on It" — Kool and the GangSafe
Melissa & Tony21 (7, 7, 7)Jive"We Got the Beat" — The Go-Go'sSafe
Ty & Chelsie24 (9, 7, 8)Salsa"Vehicle" — The Ides of MarchSafe
Chuck & Julianne
Lacey & Tony
Shawn & Mark
25 (8, 8, 9)Team Mambo"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" — Beyoncé
Gilles & Cheryl
Lil' Kim & Derek
Ty & Chelsie
28 (9, 9, 10)Team Tango"Womanizer" — Britney Spears

Week 9

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

CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Shawn & Mark27 (9, 9, 9)Quickstep"Friend Like Me" — Robin WilliamsSafe
29 (10, 9, 10)Paso doble"Gotta Get thru This" — Daniel Bedingfield
Ty & Chelsie25 (8, 9, 8)Argentine tango"Amor que se baila" — Otros AiresBottom two
21 (7, 7, 7)Rumba"Free Fallin'" — Tom Petty
Lil' Kim & Derek25 (8, 9, 8)Waltz"When I Need You" — Leo SayerEliminated
27 (9, 9, 9)Salsa"Por Arriba, Por Abajo" — Ricky Martin
Gilles & Cheryl29 (10, 9, 10)Foxtrot"Fever" — Peggy LeeSafe
27 (9, 9, 9)Rumba"Sexual Healing" — Marvin Gaye
Melissa & Tony27 (9, 9, 9)Viennese waltz"Angel" — Sarah McLachlanSafe
Samba"Jaleo" — Ricky Martin

Week 10

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

CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Melissa & Tony28 (9, 10, 9)Quickstep"I Got Rhythm" — Ella FitzgeraldSafe
27 (9, 9, 9)Cha-cha-cha"Save the Last Dance for Me" — Ben E. King
Gilles & Cheryl30 (10, 10, 10)Waltz"Come Away with Me" — Norah JonesSafe
30 (10, 10, 10)Salsa"I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" — Pitbull
Shawn & Mark30 (10, 10, 10)Argentine tango"Asi se Baila el Tango" — BailongoSafe
26 (9, 8, 9)Jive"Reet Petite" — Jackie Wilson
Ty & Chelsie25 (8, 9, 8)Viennese waltz"Tuesday's Gone" — Lynyrd SkynyrdEliminated
23 (8, 7, 8)Samba"Concrete and Clay" — Unit 4 + 2

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
CoupleScoresDanceMusic
Shawn & Mark28 (9, 9, 10)Group
Paso doble
"So What" — Pink
Melissa & Tony29 (10, 9, 10)
Gilles & Cheryl30 (10, 10, 10)
Shawn & Mark30 (10, 10, 10)Freestyle"Do Your Thing" — Basement Jaxx
Melissa & Tony27 (9, 9, 9)Freestyle"Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" — C+C Music Factory
Gilles & Cheryl28 (9, 10, 9)Freestyle"Flashdance (What a Feeling)" — Irene Cara
Night 2
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult
Shawn & Mark30 (10, 10, 10)Cha-cha-cha"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" — Michael Jacksonbgcolor=gold Winners
Melissa & Tony30 (10, 10, 10)Samba"Jaleo" — Ricky Martinbgcolor=tan Third place
Gilles & Cheryl30 (10, 10, 10)Argentine tango"Assassin's Tango" — John Powellbgcolor=silver Runners-up

Dance chart

The couples performed the following each week:

Color key:

Couple! scope="col" colspan="17"
Week
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Shawn & MarkWaltzSalsaFoxtrotLindy HopViennese waltzRumbaCha-cha-chaGroup SwingSambaTeam
Mambo
QuickstepPaso dobleArgentine tangoJiveGroup
Paso doble
FreestyleCha-cha-cha
Gilles & Cheryl-chaQuickstepSambaArgentine tangoPaso dobleJiveViennese waltzLindy HopTeam
Tango
FoxtrotRumbaWaltzSalsaFreestyleArgentine tango
Melissa & TonyWaltzSalsaFoxtrotLindy HopPaso dobleRumbaArgentine tangoJiveTeam
Mambo
Viennese waltzSambaQuickstepCha-cha-chaFreestyleSamba
Ty & ChelsieCha-cha-chaQuickstepFoxtrotLindy HopPaso dobleJiveWaltzSalsaTeam
Tango
Argentine tangoRumbaViennese waltzSamba
Lil' Kim & DerekCha-cha-chaQuickstepSambaArgentine tangoViennese waltzJiveRumbaPaso dobleTeam
Tango
WaltzSalsa
Chuck & JulianneWaltzSalsaFoxtrotLindy HopViennese waltzRumbaSamba-chaTeam
Mambo
Lawrence & EdytaCha-cha-chaQuickstepSambaArgentine tangoPaso dobleJiveWaltz
Steve-O & LaceyWaltzSalsaFoxtrotLindy HopViennese waltzRumba
David & KymWaltzSalsaFoxtrotLindy HopViennese waltz
Steve & KarinaCha-cha-chaQuickstepSambaArgentine tango
Holly & DmitryCha-cha-chaQuickstepSambaArgentine tango
Denise & MaksimCha-cha-chaQuickstepSamba
Belinda & JonathanWaltzSalsa
Notes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: May 20 . Annie Barrett Updated . EDT . 2009 at 04:00 PM . Dancing with the Stars season finale recap: Shawn and Mark Flip Out . 2022-09-14 . EW.com . en.
  2. Web site: theseat42f . 2009-03-06 . Jewel And Nancy O'Dell Withdraw From Season 8 Of Dancing With The Stars Seat42F . 2022-09-14 . seat42f.com . en-US.
  3. Web site: 2009-03-17 . Steve-O misses 'Dancing' due to injury . 2022-09-14 . Digital Spy . en-GB.
  4. Web site: Dancing with the Stars: Melissa Rycroft Injured - Rehearsal Footage . 2022-09-14 . Peoplemag . en.
  5. Web site: Melissa Injured, Misses 'Dancing' . 2022-09-14 . Extra . en.