DWTS Season 10

According to this press release, Dancing with the Stars will return on March 22, 2010.  The cast will be announced on March 1, 2010.

Though not mentioned in this press release, the cast will supposedly have only 11 or 12 couples.  I've also heard (over at Pure DWTS) that there might be a new male pro dancer this season (Damian Whitewood from Burn the Floor), but there is no mention on whether he will be paired with a celebrity, or merely dancing in pro dances.  Season 9 was the largest season to date with 16 couples (and a huge trainwreck).  Gladly, they have gone back to the tried and true format of 12ish couples.  I am sad to think about how some of the pros won't be able to compete this season. :(

Samantha Harris, one of the hosts, will not be returning this season. Brooke Burke is in the running to be her replacement.  Brooke has tweeted about how excited she is for the opportunity.  Brooke was the season 7 champion with Derek Hough. Seems like Brooke will learn next week if she gets the job.

According to Louis Van Amstel, the cast found out if they will be returning to the show this week (not who their partners are), but they cannot release that information.  Derek Hough posted a tweet on Tuesday, Feb. 16th, that he will meet his partner next week.

Mark Ballas has not made any mention of DWTS on his twitter, nor has he tweeted about getting into shape for the show.  It makes me nervous.  Since he is so focused on his music right now, he might be opting out of this season.  I hope not.  I really hope he returns and competes.  But we don't find out for a little while longer.

As of the end of season 9 (Fall 2009), the pro dancers are as follows:
MEN:
Louis van Amstel
Mark Ballas Jr
Dmitry Chaplin
Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Tony Dovolani
Derek Hough
Alec Mazo
Jonathan Roberts


WOMEN:
Cheryl Burke
Anna Demidova
Chelsie Hightower
Kym Johnson
Lacey Schwimmer
Edyta Sliwinska

Karina Smirnoff


Anna Trebunskaya

Former Pro Dancers (who have had celebrity partners):
Corky Ballas
Inna Brayer
Julianne Hough


Possible new pro dancer:
Damian Whitewood

Who knows what this season holds, but I hope it includes Mark Ballas.  I'll be pretty sad if he's not on the show this season.