Dancing with the Stars returned for its twelfth season on March 21, 2011. Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Len Goodman returned to the show as judges, while Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke returned as hosts.
Professional football player Hines Ward won the competition over actress Kirstie Alley and Disney star Chelsea Kane, who took second and third, respectively.
- Episode 1 Week 1 – Season Premiere Eleven celebrity stars of season 12 are showcased. In the two hour premiere the celebrity stars and their pro dancer partners will perform either the Foxtrot or the Cha Cha…
- Episode 2 Week 2 – Performances In the second week the couples will dance either the Quickstep or the Jive. Pairs, who have performed a Ballroom Dance last week will perform Latin and vice versa.
- Episode 3 The Story So Far
- Episode 4 Week 2 – Eliminations The judge's results from yesterday and last week will be joined with the public voting. The couple with the lowest combined total will be eliminated. Chris Brown is the guest…
- Episode 5 Week 3 – Performances Five pairs will be dancing the Rumba, the others will dance Cha Cha Cha, Paso Doble, Waltz, Samba and the Foxtrot. It's personal story telling night and the celebrities have…
- Episode 6 Week 3 – Eliminations The judge's results from yesterday will be joined with the public voting. The couple with the lowest combined total will be eliminated. Selena Gomez and One Republic are the guest…
- Episode 7 Week 4 – Performances In the fourth week of the competition the celebrities and their pro-dancer partners will dance the Paso Doble, the Waltz or the Viennese Waltz.
- Episode 8 Week 4 – Eliminations Jennifer Hudson and David Garrett are the guest stars tonight. The couple with the lowest combined votes of the judges and public voting will be eliminated.
- Episode 9 Week 5 – Performances In honour of Patriot's Day the couples will be dancing to all American songs. American week dances include Quickstep, Foxtrot, Samba, Rumba and Viennese Waltz.
- Episode 10 Week 5 – Eliminations The fifth-round results show. Also: Toby Keith performs two songs, and Jamal Sims choreographs a dance number.
- Episode 11 Week 6 – Performances Seven couples left to indulge themselves in "Guilty Pleasure Week". Dances this week are Samba, Paso Doble, Quickstep, Tango and Viennese Waltz.
- Episode 12 Week 6 – Eliminations Having combined the judge's scores with the viewers' votes another couple will be leaving. Guest stars this week are New Kids on the Block & Backstreet Boys and Pia Toscano.
- Episode 13 Week 7 – Performances The remaining six couples will be dancing an unlearned dance featuring Jive, Paso Doble, Quickstep, Samba and Tango. Then they will be participating at the Cha Cha Cha Challenge.
- Episode 14 Week 7 – Eliminations The sixth celebrity is eliminated.Team Chelsea perform a great encore dance.Along with performances from James Blunt and a rousing tribute to James Brown from Wayne Brady.
- Episode 15 Week 8 – Performances Five couples are left. First they will showcase an unlearned ballroom dance, then they will have to instantly choreograph and perform a latin dance.
- Episode 16 Week 8 – Eliminations In the results night before the semi-finals Adele and Michael Bolton are performing. Having combined the judge's scores with the viewer's votes only four teams will proceed.
- Episode 17 Week 9 – Performances In the semi-finals Chelsea, Kirstie, Ralph, Hines and their pro partners, will dance one unlearned ballroom and one unlearned latin dance to finally participate in the Cha Cha Cha Marathon,…
- Episode 18 Week 9 – Eliminations It's crunch time as we head into the Results Show that will determine which three couples will be dancing in the finals. Right out of the gate, Hines & Kym…
- Episode 19 Week 10 – Final 3 The three finalists Chelsea, Hines and Kirstie and their Pro-Dancer partners will be competing for the mirror ball trophy. The finalists will dance a redemption dance picked by the judges…
- Episode 20 Week 10 – Season Finale Chelsea, Hines and Kirstie will dance for the last time, to earn more judge's scores. Black Eyed Peas are the special guest stars of the Season 12 Finale. Other guests…