MARLEE MATLIN is giving up cookies, French fries and pizza -- and doing the Zone Diet to get in shape for the Monday, March 17 premiere of "Dancing with the Stars."

"I think I show more skin on this show than I do 'The L Word,'" says Marlee, who plays JENNIFER BEALS' lover on the Showtime series. "There is no T&A on 'The L Word' for me, but there seems to be here."

Marlee, of course, is referring to the skimpy costumes the "Dancing with the Stars" ladies wear, so she is trying to love apples and oranges now.

"My eating has improved," she admits. "I am on the Zone. I am grateful for the Zone delivery that I get, it helps a great deal, but I do have to be careful about the snacks around the house because the kids eat all the snacks."

Marlee is partnered with "Dancing with the Stars" newcomer FABIAN SANCHEZ, who tells ET she is amazing.

"I think because she can't hear the music, she is more in tune with my lead, so I think she follows better than someone who hears the music and would try to do it on their own," he says.

"Fabian is my music," Marlee says. "I really can't hear the music. Music, particularly that I am not familiar with, sounds like noise to me. No offense to the artist or to the musician, but I have to depend on Fabian to be my music. It all comes from him. I draw it from him and then I can dance."

The 'Children of a Lesser God' star says she decided to be on the ABC competition show for her kids, for the challenge, and to keep busy during the strike, which has now ended.

"My daughter, who is 12, is really into hip hop. I wanted to be the coolest mom on earth for her. I wanted to do something I would never imagine myself doing in this lifetime," she admits.

"Dancing with the Stars" premieres its sixth season on Monday, March 17 at 8 p.m. on ABC.