A reliable source has just revealed a skeletal line up for MADtv's impending 300th episode guest cast. As the title suggests, some of you may be shocked at the purported line up, some may be delighted and many will be disappointed. Either way you look at it, it is not what many of us were expecting, to say the least. So far, a longstanding source of mine, affiliated with the FOX network, has provided four names to whet the appetites of eager fans waiting for any bit of information pertaining to the (hopefully) spectacular 300th episode.

As we've known for a few days now, Will Sasso was announced, and confirmed, as returning. In addition to Will, I have learnt that his partner in crime, Alex Borstein will also be putting in an appearance on the November 17th show.

Speaking of partners in crime, would any milestone celebration be complete without Michael McDonald's original counterpart, Mo Collins? It appears not, as she appears to be returning for episode 300 as well.

And as the title suggests, there is a shocking return, the news of which should delight a number of forum regulars. Though this person was not expected to return to the show in any capacity, she appears to have had a change of heart. That's right, the original and best Oprah impressionist will be gracing that MADtv stage once more. At this stage, Debra Wilson is the fourth guest star in the alumni line up.

So there you have it. Whether these four castmembers are the only alumni returning in any capacity remains to be seen. For now, the information available to us suggests that they are, and it brings into question why the likes of such big names in MADtv history are not on the roster. The most notable omissions in my mind, Nicole Sullivan and Stephnie Weir, may be appearing on the show at some point further in the season, or their attendance may be announced in the coming days. Either way you cut it, this is where we stand for now. Additions and retractions are possible, as we await more information from more sources.

Let the discussion begin!

Debra Wilson and Jill-Michele Melean, among others, will be performing in "Laugh at L.A.," a unique comedy show that will combine pre-taped comedy sketches with live performances by some of the hottest new comics. According to this article, former child star Todd Bridges ("Different Strokes") will serve as the celebrity host of the event. (One will probably elect to use the word celebrity very loosely in this context.) Debra is also listed as one of the show's producers--yes, as Debra Wilson Skelton, thank you very much. Here is a brief summary from the official "Laugh at L.A." site:

"LAUGH AT LA is the platform for rising and established comics on the West Coast. Hosted at the elite TATOU Night Club, in downtown Los Angeles, Laugh at LA promises to provide a multi-faceted evening of entertainment. Combining pre-taped comedy sketches with the hottest new comics are just a few of the highlights adding to the night of laughs.

Our celebrity host opens with a brief set before introducing the line up of the evening's comics. The final comedian will be a headliner well-known comic from stage and screen.

This fantastic night of hilarity will be capped off with a live musical performance by a chart-topping artist. Audiences will leave Laugh at LA only to return the following week in search of more exciting comedy and music."

The first "Laugh at L.A." show kicks off Tuesday, October 9th. Tatou's doors will open at 10:00pm EST (7:00pm PST), and the show itself will begin at 12:00am EST (9:00pm PST). There is a $20 cover charge, no doubt a mere formality for devoted Debra and Jill fans. Check here for information on upcoming shows. If you live in or are visiting the Los Angeles, CA, area, then can you possibly pass up this fun-filled evening? What you talkin' 'bout, Willis? Go support these fine "MADtv" alumni, and please write up a report for us if you get the chance to attend!

That's right, Debra Wilson and Bryan Callen are frequent celebrity panelists on the syndicated courtroom show Jury Duty. The new show, which debuted today, September 17, is hosted by Judge Bruce Cutler, who served as lead defense attorney for Phil Spector. The show features celebrity panelists helping Judge Cutler in deliberating the cases. Some of the guests joining Debra and Bryan include Ed Begley, Jr., Phillis Diller, Jimmie Walker, and Todd Bridges.

Check your local listings for times and stations.

I spoke to Debra Wilson recently and she updated me on a number of projects that she has been working on.

Her film If I Had Known I Was A Genius premiered at the Sundance Festival this year. It is about a boy who struggles to fit in after his school determines that he possesses a genius IQ. In the movie, Debra Wilson plays Whoopi Goldberg's daughter. Whoopi was one of her biggest influences growing up, so it was really exciting for Debra to be able to work with her. If I Had Known I Was A Genius also stars Sharon Stone, Markus Redmond, Keith David and Tara Reid. It is very possible that it will be released to DVD sometime this year. Her film Lord Help Us, an indie romantic comedy about two young best friends who help a preacher earn back the respect of his church after a rumor spreads that he is eloping with a woman who is 45 years younger than him, will be released on DVD for sale and to rent on May 8th. It also stars American Idol's Nadia Turner, Joe Clair, Bill Toliver and Margaret Avery.

Debra will also be starring in a movie based on the hit MTV series My Super Sweet 16. In the film she plays the party planner. It is expected to air on MTV and hit stores sometime this July and also features teen pop stars Aly and AJ. In addition, she is on the cover of Urban Ink Magazine, on newsstands now.

In even bigger news, she is set to star in Avatar, the new James Cameron sci-fi thriller. It will be filming in the coming months and is set for release in theaters in 2009. It also stars Sigourney Weaver. Here is a description of the film from IMDB.com:

In the future, Jake, a paraplegic war veteran, is brought to another planet, Pandora, which is inhabited by the Na'vi, a humanoid race with their own language and culture. Those from Earth find themselves at odds with each other and the local culture.

It sounds like Debra Wilson is keeping herself busy. Can't wait to see what is coming up in the near future.

Debra Wilson not only attended this year's Academy Awards - she co-hosted TV Guide's Red Carpet Coverage. Joan and Melissa Rivers took over for the main show, but Debra and some of her TV Guide Channel co-stars owned the red carpet for the first two hours. Missed it? Don't worry. It re-airs today, Monday March 6th, at 12pm and 4pm EST on the TV Guide Channel. What an incredible experience for Debra!

You can also check out a very special Oscar edition of her show, TV Watercooler, at 9pm. I'm sure that Debra has a lot to say about her experience at the Oscars. Don't miss it!

Earlier this evening I was able to talk to Debra Wilson and she updated me on a number of projects that she is working on.

Debra has a lot of movies on the way. As many of you know, she will be appearing in Scary Movie 4, Danny Roane: First Time Director and Over The Hedge, which are all set to open this spring. Her role in Over The Hedge is not as one of the animals which are all over the advertisements, but rather as a human. As previously mentioned, she will also be flying to India soon to work on a film. She does not know if this movie will be released on this side of the world, but it is starring the biggest names in cinema over there and is supposed to be huge in Asia. One of the big directors in India saw some of her work from MADtv and thought that she would be perfect for the role. Hopefully we will get to see it at some point, because it sounds like she has a great role in it. Debra will also be playing the daughter of comedic legend Whoopi Goldberg in an upcoming film, which is a huge honor for her.

In addition to her new TV Guide Channel series, TV Watercooler, she is working on a pilot series for the fall of 2006. She has also been busy filming 12 new E! specials. Because of her regular gig with TV Guide, she can no longer show her face on screen, but she rather she will serve as a narrator as she did in the 101 Sexiest Bodies countdown. Debra is also featured in a number of brand new Sierra Mist commercials that will air in the coming months and will make history as the first black woman to appear on the cover of International Tattoo Art Magazine this Spring.

Congratulations on all of the new projects, Debra!

Debra Wilson has yet another new gig, a new one-hour series on the TV Guide Channel called "TV Watercooler". Here is a summary from Yahoo!:

TV Guide Channel debuts its new weekly one-hour original series, TV Watercooler, on Monday, January 23 at 8 PM (ET/PT). This entertaining romp features co-hosts, comedians John Fugelsang and Debra Wilson, who match wits, offer their candid opinions, and dish on the week's biggest TV events. With celebrity interviews, fan feedback from the streets of Hollywood, and signature segments, TV Watercooler is designed to be the original fun, plugged-in destination for every television fan.

Debra is really popping up everywhere these days. It's great to see her so busy. The series begins January 23, at 8:00pm EST on the TV Guide Channel. Don't miss it!

Thanks to Cartman2002 for finding this story.

Debra Wilson will be appearing in an all new episode of ABC's hit new legal drama, In Justice, this month as a detective named Powell in an episode entitled "Confessions." The show uses real life stories as inspiration for each episode, so each story hits close to home for a lot of viewers. The one that she will be in takes the case of a teenager who was convicted of murdering his own sister. It should be a really good show and it sounds like she has a large role in it. Her appearance airs Friday January 20, 2006 on ABC.

I have also been made aware by my friend Lauren who recently spoke to Debra that she will be in the new film in the Scary Movie series, Scary Movie 4. The films are a parody of popular scary movies, as I'm sure most of you know. I do not know at this time what type of role Debra has in the film, but I will let you guys know when I find out. It is scheduled for release later this year and also stars Anna Faris, André 3000 of OutKast, Regina Hall, Conchita Campbell, Carmen Electra, and Leslie Nielsen, among others.

Debra will be flying to India to film a movie soon, although I don't have any information on that yet. Planet MADtv will be the first to know as soon as I hear. She will also be appearing on the cover of a popular tattoo magazine this spring, she recently finished her photo shoot for the magazine. It sounds like she has been really busy lately and I can't wait to see what 2006 brings for Debra!

EDIT: Debra will be playing the role of Oprah in Scary Movie 4, alongside the real Dr. Phil!