ABC is confirming reports that "Desperate Housewives" will be starting its eighth and final season come fall.

"We want to make sure it has its victory lap," ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee said in making the announcement on Sunday.

"Desperate Housewives," a glossy prime-time soap opera with an ensemble cast including Teri Hatcher and Eva Longoria, made a pop-culture and ratings splash when it premiered in 2004 but has since seen a fall-off in the ratings.

In a separate announcement, ABC said the celebrity cast for the new season of "Dancing with the Stars" will be unveiled live on Aug. 29 during ABC's airing of "Bachelor Pad." The dancing competition returns for its 13th round on Sept. 19.