Four new dances were introduced to complement the large cast: the bolero, lambada, two-step, and Charleston.

Singer Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson were crowned the winners, while singer Mýa and Dmitry Chaplin finished in second place, and reality star Kelly Osbourne and Louis van Amstel finished in third place.

Color key: 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.

The couples had to prepare two dances (either the cha-cha-cha or foxtrot, and the salsa or Viennese waltz) dividing themselves between men and women.

On the first night, the men performed either the cha-cha-cha or foxtrot, and then participated in either a salsa or Viennese waltz relay.

On the second night, the women performed either the salsa or Viennese waltz, and then participated in either a cha-cha-cha or foxtrot relay.

Tom DeLay was reported as having a possible stress fracture in his foot on September 15, just one week before the competition.

[4] After the show, Debi Mazar was taken to the hospital with a torn muscle in her neck and chest.

During rehearsal on September 28, Lacey Schwimmer "severely strained" her hip flexors and abductors.

Her injuries required three weeks of physical therapy, though she continued to dance on the show during her treatments.

Each couple performed three routines, including one megamix (featuring the Viennese waltz, samba, and jive), and a freestyle.