Unlike most reality shows, where ordinary people become famous by appearing in a TV show, the contestants on “Dancing with the Stars” are already famous, just not for dancing. So this time around ABC is going to take an entire night of primetime programming to announce the celebrity contestants, making host Tom Bergeron – who fortunately was once a radio DJ – a primetime programming jockey for an “All Night Name Drop.”
Here’s how it will go down. The Season Eight cast of "Dancing with the Stars" will be announced by Bergeron in interstitials throughout ABC’s primetime schedule. Beginning with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," followed by "Desperate Housewives" and "Brothers & Sisters," the "All Night Name Drop" will air on ABC Sunday, February 8th (8:00-11:00 pm, ET).
Immediately following each cast member’s unveiling during primetime, ABC.com will post the updated list online.
Following the "All Night Name Drop" on Sunday, "Good Morning America" will have the first live in-studio interview with a member of the new Season Eight cast on Monday, February 9th (7:00-9:00 am, ET).
Jimmy Kimmel will then play host to a member of the cast on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Tuesday, February 10th (12:06-1:06 am, ET).
Season Eight of "Dancing with the Stars" premieres Monday, March 9th (8:00-10:02 pm, ET) followed by a second performance show on Monday, March 16th (8:00-10:02 pm, ET). "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show" debuts Tuesday, March 17th (9:00-10:02 pm, ET).
"Dancing with the Stars" is the US version of the international BBC smash hit series, "Strictly Come Dancing." This version is produced in America by BBC Worldwide Productions. Conrad Green serves as executive producer and Rob Wade and Matilda Zoltowski are co-executive producers. Alex Rudzinski directs. The series is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.
