Season eleven of Dancing with the Stars premiered on September 20, 2010, on the ABC network.
Several changes were introduced this season, including an "Acoustic Week," in which couples performed either the rumba or the Argentine tango while the audience was brought closer to the dance floor which was elevated and made circular. Contestants from previous seasons also came back as guest judges when the current contestants attempted re-created memorable routines in the 200th episode. These guest judges were Hélio Castroneves, Kelly Osbourne, Emmitt Smith, Drew Lachey, Gilles Marini, and Mel B. Kristi Yamaguchi and Apolo Ohno also served as team captains for team dances. There was also a week dubbed "Instant Choreography," in which the couples practiced their routines for a week, but only received the music for their Latin dances 45 minutes before their live performances.
Actress Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough were crowned the champions, while actor Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer finished second, and Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas finished third.
Contents
Cast
Couples
This season featured twelve celebrity contestants. The cast was announced during the August 30 episode of Bachelor Pad during a live press conference that included a Q&A session with host Tom Bergeron and co-host Brooke Burke and the new cast. The pairs were announced on September 1; however, Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas had been announced the day before by way of a Good Morning America interview.
Future appearances
Bristol Palin returned for the All-Stars season, where she was again paired with Mark Ballas.
Host and judges
Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke returned as co-hosts, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Len Goodman returned as judges.
Scoring chart
The highest score each week is indicated in bold green with a dagger (†), while the lowest score each week is indicated in italicized red with a double-dagger (‡).
Color key:
Notes
Weekly scores
Individual judges' scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.
Week 1: First Dances
Each couple performed either the cha-cha-cha or the Viennese waltz. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 2: Top 11
Each couple performed either the jive or the quickstep. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 3: Story Week
Each couple performed either the samba or the waltz. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 4: Acoustic Week
Each couple performed either the Argentine tango or the rumba. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 5: TV Week
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 6: Rock Week
Each couple performed either the paso doble or the tango, plus a rock and roll dance marathon for extra points. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 7: 200th Episode Week
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Individual judges' scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Guest judge, Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli
Week 8: Instant Choreography Week
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 9: Semifinals
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 10: Finals
On the first night, the three couples performed two dances: a redemption dance selected by one of the judges, which was a style they had already performed earlier in the competition, and their freestyle routine. On the second night, each couple performed their favorite dance and then competed in a cha-cha-cha relay. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Night 1
Night 2
Dance chart
The couples performed the following each week:
Week 1: One unlearned dance (cha-cha-cha or Viennese waltz)
Week 2: One unlearned dance (jive or quickstep)
Week 3: One unlearned dance (samba or waltz)
Week 4: One unlearned dance (Argentine tango or rumba)
Week 5: One unlearned dance
Week 6: One unlearned dance (paso doble or tango) & rock and roll marathon
Week 7: Team dance & one unlearned dance
Week 8: One unlearned dance & instant dance
Week 9 (Semifinals): Two unlearned dances
Week 10 (Finals, Night 1): Judge's choice & freestyle
Week 10 (Finals, Night 2): Favorite dance & cha-cha-cha relay