Photo Credit: ABC/KELSEY McNEAL

Week 7: Marlee Matlin Brought More Class to the Show Than DWTS Has Ever Had

The former Broadway star takes Us behind the scenes of the hit ABC show

MISSING MARLEE
[I’ll miss] just hanging out backstage and playing with her. We'll hang out after the show. I know that the reality is that no one is dying and this is just a TV show, but she definitely brought a lot more class to this show than I think this show has ever had.

WALTZ WORRIES
The toughest aspect of [last week’s] waltz was actually learning the entire thing. The spinning was hard. There are so many things like counting one, two, three, one, two, three and trying to stay with the rhythm. The waltz was the hardest dance I've done so far because it was the most technical.

GROUP NUMBER NIGHTMARE
I thought [rehearsal was] complete chaos. I was so excited about the group dance - I could not wait! I honestly, last week, wanted to stay just for that. And when I got there, it was complete mayhem and chaos and there were like a hundred cameras. I like things very organized, and when you're learning a Broadway show, nobody talks. Everybody just sits and listens to the choreographer and with this dance, there was a lot going on. It was a crazy, crazy room.

PAULA ABDUL: DANCING QUEEN?
I know Paula very well. And of course she'd be honored to participate - this is the coolest show ever! I think she'd fare very well. It's a lot of work, but I think she'd be a hoot to watch. I think I would love to see her doing the Samba, in the wardrobe and all. I think she'd be awesome.

THE MARISSA AND TONY VARIETY HOUR
[When we’re not dancing] I just sit in the makeup trailer and tell everyone they look beautiful. [Tony and I] are the dorks who are on the show saying, "Oh it's so nice to meet you. I'm such a huge fan!" [laughing] To the dancers I say, "Oh, that is the best dance ever! You look so good! I love your wardrobe!" I feel like we're just doing a variety show, I don't feel like it's a competition.

BY MARISSA JARET WINOKUR