HELLO AMERICA!  It is always a pleasure to watch a performer who is so special, so gifted that what she or he does is locked into your memory for days and days.  DEBRA WILSON, formerly of "Mad TV," is one of those who electrify you with her comedy and humor.  She definitely was a centerpiece of that show, and when she said her goodbyes to everybody concerned, there was a tremendous gap in the humor department.  “It was time for me to move on,” she said. “I had a great run with the show and instinctively, a change of direction was necessary.” 

     As all America saw, Wilson played every type of character imaginable.  “I’m an actress, not a comedienne.  If you hand me a play by Ibsen or Shaw, I feel so secure in my craft and technique I wouldn’t have any trouble making the character real.  This is why I’m hungering for a running character in a show that I can take hold of and give it some layers, dimension whether it be a sitcom or a serious drama production.

     “And there are few things I’m really excited about. A sitcom show called “Studio House,” for example would be perfect. The character I would be playing has all the trimmings of an actor’s dream.  She is conniving, warm, funny, sexy and a bitch - all the stuff that makes for good drama as well as comedy.  But, of course, what will be will be.”

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     DELIVERANCE IS THE WORD:  There is no surprise that the day has come when WHITNEY HOUSTON, one of America’s greatest pop voices, has to make a decision between life and death.  The lady has entered rehab so many times that even some of her most ardent fans have given up on hearing the magical voice that once hypnotized them.

     When I spoke with her mom, Cissy, who is a good friend, I was told that this time around her daughter realizes she can’t go on the way she has - she has to make a decision about her life.

    “Whitney,” her mom said, “understands the seriousness of her problem and she wants deliverance from the pain of it all.  She believes that she can lick any odds she is forced to face.  She wants to live - she knows that the drug world is a road to death.  And I know my daughter, she will win this battle like everything else she’s had to face through her life.”

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     LEAVING A WINNER:  When I spoke with my old U.S.C. classmate, BARNEY ROSENSWEIG, producer of the hit series "Cagney and Lacey" he said that he's out of the TV business. 

   "It's changed too much for me," said Barney. "It's no fun anymore -- so, I left while I was ahead."  Of course, he hasn't abandoned every aspect of the business; there seems to be some interest in motion pictures. Knowing him, I wouldn't be surprised if he announced he's found a perfect film script that will rock the industry.

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     TIDBITS AND ALL THAT!  A blonde former porn star, CHLOE JONES, 29, has claimed in a US tabloid she's the reason for the breakup of CHARLIE SHEEN's two-and-a-half year marriage to actress DENISE RICHARDS, who's expecting a second child by Charlie.  According to Chloe, he paid her $15,000 for two days of sex, and he even asked her to marry him.  Charlie's spokesperson denied her claims.  His father, MARTIN SHEEN, has tried to bring Charlie and Denise back together - but she's too outraged by his behavior to even consider it.

In other marriage news, MARC ANTHONY became furious when his wife JENNIFER LOPEZ announced she was getting rid of her $11-million Miami Beach home because it had too many bad memories of her romance with BEN AFFLECK.  Marc, who liked the place, reportedly told J-Lo: "You're married to me now, why should you even think of that guy.  He should be completely out of your mind!"  There have been previous spats when Marc caught her talking to Ben on her cell phone. WELL AMERICA THAT'S IT FOR NOW!