Tom Maurstad

Just as the flu season is winding down, dance fever is about to break out. And if it's anything like last fall, more than 20 million viewers can expect to catch it. It may not (quite) be the ratings juggernaut that Fox's American Idol is, but when it comes to guilty-pleasure silly fun, ABC's Dancing With the Stars is the clear winner. With a live orchestra, guest performers and, of course, all that ballroom dancing, the show is a 21st century take on an Ed Sullivan-style variety show. There's no local billionaire to take Mark Cuban's place this time around – Ross Perot apparently couldn't make time in his schedule – and rumors of a Donny dance-a-thon breaking out notwithstanding, this season will be an Osmond-free zone. But let's break down some reasons to check out this season.

Bob D'Amico / ABC

Edyta Sliwinska and Jason Taylor

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska
As a football player, he's got the moves, and Edyta is the only dancer to have been with the show from the beginning. She's never won, but she's been saddled with some bad partners (John Ratzenberger, Vincent Pastore) and was unjustly eliminated last season with soap-star partner Cameron Mathison. She's due, if Jason can deliver.

Adam Carolla and Julianne Hough
On the one hand, he's a joke. As the goofy, gangly, foul-mouthed comic-radio host, Mr. Carolla has made a career out of being the anti-Fred Astaire. But Julianne is the show's lovable sprite and a proven winner. Maybe she can whip him into shape.

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas
If there's a ringer in this season's field, Ms. Yamaguchi is it; after all, figure skating is just dancing on ice. And Mark Ballas seemed poised to cruise to victory last season partnered with Sabrina Bryan until the Cheetah Girl was abruptly dumped by the voters. Still, a woman hasn't won since the first season.

Bob D'Amico / ABC

Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez

Penn Gillette and Kym Johnson
Sure, he's like 7 feet tall and a goofball. But, remember, he's a professional magician, a trained illusionist, he could perform the greatest trick of his career and make himself appear to be a great dancer. And he's partnered with li'l Kym, another fan favorite – think of how improbably far she went in last season's competition saddled with sing-along partner Mark Cuban.

Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez
She's won an Oscar, but can the hearing-impaired actress win Dancing With the Stars? He's the new pro dancer on the show, so Mr. Sanchez is another X factor, but if they can click, they could ride their against-all-odds story to the finals.

Monica Seles and Jonathan Roberts
The former tennis star may still have the footwork, and her partner has certainly paid his dues; he was teamed with Marie Osmond last time around.

Cristián de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke
Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough
Steve Guttenberg and Anna Trebunskaya
Mario and Karina Smirnoff
Priscilla Presley and Louis Van Amstel
Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani

PLAN YOUR LIFE
Monday night at 7 on ABC (Channel 8). 90 mins.