Drew Lachey, the second season winner of ABC’s popular reality TV hit “Dancing with the Stars”, is the temporary replacement for co-host Samantha Harris. Drew stepped in to fill Samantha’s shoes on the season premiere this past week.

Tom Bergeron mentioned that Lachey will remain in the position through the duration of Harris’ maternity leave. Harris and her husband, financial wholesaler, Michael Hess, welcomed a baby girl they named Josselyn Sydney Hess on Sunday, September 23^rd. She is expected back sometime before the end of the season.

Of course, Drew won’t be without “Dancing”-related work when Samantha makes her return. The former boy bander will get to host a show of his own this winter in ABC. The series is called “Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann.” Yes, the judges on DWTS will face-off in a six-week choreography battle royale. We’re not exactly sure what that means, but we’re intrigued. Auditions are being conducted now and interested individuals can check out http://www.abc.go.com/site/casting.html#dancex for more information.

In other DWTS News, the twelve new contestants mark the biggest cast in the series’ history. For the ladies, we have Jane “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” Seymour, Melanie “Scary Spice” Brown, Sabrina “Cheetah Girls” Bryan, model Josie Maran, former 90210-er Jennie Garth and Marie “Donny & Marie” Osmond. The guys include legendary Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton, billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, “All My Children” actor, Cameron Mathison, welterweight boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., model Albert Reed and champion Brazilian racecar driver Helio Castroneves.

After a nation-wide vote, which for the first time includes text messages, Josie Maran and her partner, Alec Mazo, were eliminated.  “Dancing with the Stars” airs Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays on ABC. Check local listings for times.