According to Variety, the premiere Season 9 of DWTS will be a three night deal:

Net [ed. ABC] kicks off the first official night of the 2009-10 season, Sept. 21, with its normal Monday sked: the two-hour premiere of “Dancing With the Stars” and the return of “Castle.”

The following night (Sept. 22), a second two-hour “Dancing” will lead into the launch of frosh skein “The Forgotten.” Regular 8 p.m. entry “Shark Tank” will bow the following week, Sept. 29, when “Dancing” collapses into its usual 9 p.m. results show hour.

A one-time “Dancing” results show will air Sept. 23, leading into the premieres of 9 p.m. comedies…

So…is this a return to Season 7’s format? Women one night, Men the next with the results (double elimination) on Wednesday? Or is it a two dance deal? And what’s with the rumor that the celebs will be limited to 6 hours a day rehearsal time? I haven’t seen a corroborating article supporting that rumor. Has anyone?? Questions, questions…