Dancing with the Stars

about

In a first for ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," twelve celebrities—six men and six women—attempt to outshine one another on a fifth season of the hit series. This marks the largest cast assembled to date. It includes an Emmy Award-winning actress, a Vegas icon, an Indy 500 champion, a Spice Girl, a daytime soap star, a Cheetah Girl and a former resident of "90210." As an added twist, viewers get a chance to size up the male vs. the female stars, as each gender hits the dance floor on separate nights during the first week of competition. Can the women outperform the men, or will the men dance circles around the women?

ABC's "

Dancing with the Stars

" has grown its audience among viewers and young adults each season since its debut in Summer 2005, establishing itself as one of television's most popular series. "

Dancing with the Stars

" has consistently improved its time periods and been a top competitor in those slots. In Fall 2006, "

Dancing with the Stars

" stood as the second-most-watched program on television, while qualifying as the No. 1 unscripted TV series in Total Viewers (20.7 million). On its third season finale during the 2006 November Sweep (11/15/06), "

Dancing with the Stars

" achieved the series' most-watched telecast ever with an average audience of 27.7 million viewers.

Hosted by Tom Bergeron ("America's Funniest Home Videos") and Samantha Harris ("E! Entertainment"), the celebrities will perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

"

Dancing with the Stars

" is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, "Strictly Come Dancing." This version is produced in America by BBC Worldwide. Conrad Green and Richard Hopkins are executive producers and Izzie Pick is co-executive producer on "