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Marlee Matlin had never danced before — well, other than at weddings and bar mitzvahs — but for the past two weeks, she's been cha-cha-ing and quickstepping for seven hours a day in preparation for her "Dancing With the Stars" debut.

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Despite the unforgiving schedule and complaints of constant soreness from past contestants, Matlin, 42, says she's remained pain-free.

"Everyone asks if I'm sore," she said after a recent rehearsal at a nondescript dance studio northeast of Los Angeles. "Am I supposed to be sore?"

Perhaps not. She is, however, supposed to step, twirl, dip, smile, clap, spin, plant and jump — all imaginable types of body and facial movements, really — in time with the music. Never mind that the Academy Award-winning actress can't hear a single note, beat, or tempo change.

While none of this year's crop of "Dancing" hopefuls have ever danced professionally, Matlin has the additional challenge of being deaf. And that's not a problem, she said through her longtime interpreter, Jack Jason. Matlin relies on her professional partner, show newcomer Fabian Sanchez, to lead the way.

"He's my music," she said.

Sanchez has modified some of the dances slightly so he and Matlin maintain more physical or visual contact than they otherwise might. But even when she steps out solo, "she's got a natural rhythm," he said. "She's on time every single time."

The dance instructor from Birmingham, Ala. had never worked with a deaf student before, but he finds Matlin easier to teach than many who can hear.

"I have somebody who has never danced, who has never heard music, so I can mold her however I want," he said. "She's more sensitive to my lead because she's not trying to follow the rhythm on her own."

Matlin didn't join the show to prove that deaf people can dance, she said, adding that she has seen deaf dancers perform on stages across the country. She did it for the challenge, the exposure, and ultimately, for her kids.

The mother of four was inspired by her 12-year-old daughter, Sara, a hip-hop dancer and devoted fan of the show.

"I just want to be the cool mom," Matlin said.

She's found the right venue for that.

As if an "American Idol"-esque 25 million viewers for last year's finale wasn't lending enough cultural weight to the live dancing competition, now it has something resembling a serious actress in its cast: Matlin, an Emmy-nominated TV veteran who won a best actress Oscar in 1986 for "Children of a Lesser God," is a clear cut above the usual "Dancing" actors.

For that reason alone she stands out from this year's crop, which includes radio host Adam Carolla, magician Penn Jillette, pro football player Jason Taylor, tennis champ Monica Seles, Olympic skater Kristi Yamaguchi, R&B singer Mario and actors Steve Guttenberg, Shannon Elizabeth, Christian de la Fuente, Priscilla Presley and Marissa Jaret Winokur.

As the ABC hit begins its sixth season Monday, she gives little thought to her impairment: "We're all challenged in some way. ... The only thing I can't do is hear."

But executive producer Conrad Green said cast diversity contributes to the show's success. His team looks for contestants of various ages, sizes, abilities and professional pursuits. Participants have been boxers, basketball players, businessmen, models and yes, actors.

"We're always looking to push that range with people you wouldn't expect to do it or wouldn't want to do it," he said, adding that he counts Bill Clinton among his dream contestants. "For lots of people, it's a nice way to get the audience familiar with you in a different light."

Former Mrs. Paul McCartney and model Heather Mills, who uses a prosthetic leg, lasted seven weeks on the competition during season four.

"I think it proved a lot of things to a lot of people," Green said. "It's incumbent on everyone in television to try to open up television to people with disabilities. They're every bit as much valid contributors to television as anyone."

Dance ability hardly matters, he said, since the show is all about trying something new.

"It's just about good old-fashioned effort for effort's sake," Green said. "No one is aspiring to genuinely be a ballroom dancer, so there's nothing at stake beyond pride."

Besides, he added, "It's a stupid trophy at the end of the day and only one person can win it."

Matlin made it clear that she wants to be the one to take home this season's mirrorball prize. But she knows it won't come easy.

"This is one of the hardest jobs I ever had," she said as she traded her high-heeled dancing shoes for comfy sneakers. "It's absolutely harder than love scenes in movies."

She slipped out of her swingy dance skirt and pulled on a pair of cargo pants, then packed up her things after another long rehearsal. As she stood to leave, she looked confused.

"Actually," she said, "I am sore."

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Monday night marks the return of "Dancing with the Stars," and the latest ads promise "the most spectacular season yet!" A bit boastful considering the stars haven't even put their soft shoes on yet, but with an interesting mix of actors and athletes, not to mention one illusionist, there's no doubt fans are eager for the two-night premiere of season six to kick off.

Before the glittering gowns and sequined shirts waltz back into our lives, there's still the matter of sorting out the 12 contenders. Who's likely to go home first? In a rare double-elimination, two unfortunate "stars" will share the honor this time. Who's destined for finale night? Hey, it's anyone's ballroom blitz at this point, but it's not hard to spot the front-runners.

The ones to watch
Kristi Yamaguchi
And the winner is … OK, maybe that is a little premature, but Yamaguchi tops the list of potentials. She's popular, athletic and a well-loved Olympic gold medalist — nothing but strong points. And while figure skating isn't the same as ballroom dancing, with all of the graceful moves and rigorous training, it's not exactly a world away, either. Under Mark Ballas' tutelage, which worked wonders for Sabrina Bryan last season, expect Kristi to go far.

Jason Taylor
If the last three celebrity champions (Emmitt Smith, Apolo Anton Ohno and Helio Castroneves) have taught us anything, it's that "Dancing" fans favor male athletes. Given that the Miami Dolphins defensive end is capable of some amazing moves on the field (and he's easy on the eyes, to say the least), he already looks like a shoo-in. His partner, Edyta Sliwinska, known for her barely-there ballroom attire, can only help boost the sex-appeal vote.

Shannon Elizabeth
"American Pie" cutie and celebrity poker champ Elizabeth could win on enthusiasm alone. Long before her name landed on this season's dance card, Shannon told every media outlet that would listen how much she loved the show. Chances are that eagerness will pay off in rehearsal efforts. Boasting an impressive fan base (that's half the battle right there) and the impressive young Derek Hough by her side, Shannon could rumba in the final rounds.

Mario
Who? OK, Mario isn't exactly unknown, but he's not a household name, either. That's his biggest hurdle. Still, the "Let Me Love You" singer has a shot to go all the way. Not known for dancing, Mario's no ringer, but as a successful R&B performer, he isn't a complete stranger to moving to the music. And he might charm the crowd, being another eager beaver about the whole "Dancing" experience. With a partner like Karina Smirnoff, who has something to prove after being saddled with Floyd Mayweather Jr. last season, look for Mario to be the dance-floor dark horse.

The wild cards
Adam Carolla
The big question mark where Carolla is concerned is whether or not he's really going to dance. The former "Loveline" legend is known for having a laugh at ”Dancing’s” expense on his current radio program, and the man has a reputation for taking nothing seriously. Adam's in good hands with last year's pro winner, Julianne Hough, but she can work her magic only if he takes the ballroom business to heart.

Marlee Matlin
Earning the lion's share of the pre-season buzz, Matlin is sure to bring plenty of determination and poise to the show, but no one knows what to expect on the dance floor. Her partner, Fabian Sanchez, says Marlee, who lost her hearing before the age of 2, has never heard music or danced. But rather than viewing it as a setback, he feels he can mold her however he wants. Then again, Fabian is a wild card, too. While he's an accomplished pro, he's also a "Dancing" newbie, replacing pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy this season.

Monica Seles
Seles boasts the strong athletic constitution of a tennis champ, but does she have the grace to groove? On the court grunts and groans were part of her signature style — not exactly the hallmark of the tango. If she can find the softer side of movement with Marie Osmond's former partner, Jonathan Roberts, she stands a chance.

Steve Guttenberg
With his status as '80s film favorite long behind him, Steve Guttenberg still banks plenty of cheesy likability. That alone should keep him safe for a few weeks. But, to put it delicately, he doesn't look like a dancer. Just imaging the "Police Academy" hero attempting the paso doble inspires laughs. Then again, even if he's a complete left foot like so many Jerry Springers before him, that just means he's in for a long ride rather than a win.

Early exits
Marissa Jaret Winokur
She's cute and bubbly, but Winokur has one big problem: the dreaded lack of fan base. No doubt she has the endurance for the competition as a Tony Award-winning Broadway sweetheart, but she has to appeal to TV viewers early on to stick around. That's where that bubbly personality comes in. Is it too much? Here's a sample of her caps-lock reaction to landing a spot on the show: "IT’S TOTALLY DREAM OF MINE TO DANCE LIKE A DISNEY PRINCESS!!!!!" Good luck to her partner, Tony Dovolani. He'll need it.

Penn Jillette
A prime pick for a week-one exit if ever there was one, illusionist Jillette of "Penn & Teller" fame is about as far from ballroom material as one can get. At 6'6", he towers over his poor pro, Kym Johnson (and most everyone else). The disproportionate match up is bound to make already tricky routines and just-so arm lines that much harder. Fans of magic or his Showtime hit series "Bulls---!" are his only hope.

Priscilla Presley
At 62, Presley is the oldest contestant this season, and if the show's history is any indicator, that works against her. Even 57-year-old, classically trained dancer Jane Seymour lasted only seven weeks in season five. Unless Elvis' ex is hiding some major samba skills, she and returning dancer Louis van Amstel have the ageist odds against them.


Cristián de la Fuente
Here's hoping Cristián de la Fuente moves as good as he looks. His career, listed on ABC's Web site as "international film star," doesn't guarantee most boob-tube watchers know him (unless they remember him from a handful of "CSI" and "The Class" episodes). He needs to impress in the first week, or Cristián won't make it to the second, not even with two-time “Dancing” champ and fan favorite Cheryl Burke on his arm.

That's how the dancers stack up so far, but the real test comes Monday night at 8 p.m. EST when the mirrored ball comes out and celebrity amateurs show the judges what they can (or can't) do. No doubt Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba already have their score paddles at the ready.