SEASON PREMIERE

SEASON FIVE OF ABC'S HIT SERIES "DANCING WITH THE STARS" PREMIERES MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, KICKING OFF A DAZZLING THREE-NIGHT PREMIERE EVENT

First Week's Competition Features a Showdown Between the Women and the Men

Entertainment Icon Dolly Parton Performs On "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show," Wednesday, September 26

In a "Dancing with the Stars" first, twelve celebrities attempt to outshine one another on a fifth season of the hit series, beginning MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 (8:00-9:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. This marks the largest and most diverse cast assembled to date which includes an Emmy Award-winning actress, a Vegas icon, an Indy 500 champion, a Spice Girl, a daytime drama star, a Cheetah Girl and a former resident of "90210." As an added twist, viewers get a chance to size up the female vs. the male stars as each gender hits the dance floor on separate nights during the first week of competition.

On MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, all twelve of the "Dancing with the Stars" professional dancers will open the season with a memorable group performance to Barry Manilow's "Dancin' Fool." The competition then begins as the six female stars take center stage dancing either the Foxtrot or the Cha Cha Cha. The male stars will then showcase their routines, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 (8:00-9:30 p.m., ET), performing the same dances as the women. The team with the lowest combined judges' scores and public votes from Monday and Tuesday night will be eliminated from the competition on the first results show, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). Viewers may cast their votes via phone and online at www.abc.com.

Kicking off what promises to be a stellar season of musical performances, Grammy� Award-winning country music icon and Academy� Award-winning actress Dolly Parton kicks up her heels on "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show," WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26. Ms. Parton serenades the audience singing "Better Get to Livin'" from her latest album, "Backwoods Barbie," and the classic hit, "9 to 5," accompanied by professional dancers Derek Hough, Mark Ballas, Julianne Hough and Cheryl Burke. By evening's end, one team will be eliminated.

Who among the following has what it takes to win the coveted mirror ball trophy:

Melanie Brown ("Mel B." a.k.a. "Scary Spice" of the Spice Girls) and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Sabrina Bryan (member of the Disney Channel's "The Cheetah Girls") and partner Mark Ballas

Helio Castroneves (two-time Indianapolis 500 champion) and partner, last season's champion, Julianne Hough

Mark Cuban (entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks) and partner Kym Johnson

Jennie Garth (actress and former star of "Beverly Hills 90210") and partner Derek Hough

Josie Maran (model, actress and entrepreneur) and partner Alec Mazo

Cameron Mathison (actor on ABC's "All My Children") and partner Edyta Sliwinska

Floyd Mayweather (World Boxing Council Welterweight Champion of the World) and partner Karina Smirnoff

Wayne Newton ("Mr. Las Vegas") and partner, two-time champion Cheryl Burke

Marie Osmond (actress, performer and entrepreneur) and partner Jonathan Roberts

Albert Reed (model) and partner Anna Trebunskaya

Jane Seymour (Emmy Award winning actress) and partner Tony Dovolani

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 Productions. Conrad Green serves as executive producer and Rob Wade and Matilda Zoltowski are co-executive producers. Alex Rudzinski directs.

"Dancing with the Stars" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.