Although fans are eagerly waiting for the new season of Dancing with the Stars to begin, they haven’t exactly been ecstatic with the names rumored to be joining the eighth season: Britney Spears’ ex Kevin Federline, Jackass‘ Steve-O, Dina Lohan, Entourage‘s Emmanuelle Chriqui, Sherri Shepherd, Lawrence Taylor and Stevie Wonder. Today various tabloids have also reported that folk singer Jewel will join the 8th season cast, as well as actress-turned-reality-star Denise Richards.
Finally, casting rumors can soon be put to rest because, in just a few days, ABC will be unveiling the show’s official participants.
On Sunday, February 8 at 8pm ET/PT, Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron will be making the announcement during an “All Night Name Drop” event in interstitials throughout the network’s prime-time programming, which includes Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers and Sisters.
“Wanna know who’s dancing this season? Sunday, we’re dropping names all night long,” the network teased a commercial that aired during its daytime programming on Monday.
This marks the first time ABC has revealed the official cast of Dancing with the Stars in this format. Following each on-air announcement, the cast list will be immediately updated on then network’s website. Subsequently, Good Morning America will interview one of the new participants Monday morning, while another cast member will also be appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live on February 10.
The new season will premiere with a two-hour performance episode on Monday, March 9 at 8pm ET/PT on ABC, followed by a second performance show on Monday, March 16 at 8pm ET/PT. Dancing with the Stars the Results Show debuts Tuesday, March 17 at 9pm ET/PT.
Meanwhile, Donny Osmond, who has also been rumored to join the upcoming season, has already disproved the idea that he’ll be following the footsteps of sister Marie Osmond, who appeared as a celebrity contestant on the fifth season of Dancing with the Stars where she earned third place with professional dance partner Jonathan Robert. He did hint, however that he might be joining the show in the fall.
-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: ABC
(Image courtesy of ABC)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
