“MADtv” Comedian Defends Her Oprah Impression After Hearing It Was Not Well-Received: 'Don't Take It So Seriously'
“MADtv” Comedian Defends Her Oprah Impression After Hearing It Was Not Well-Received: 'Don't Take It So Seriously'
Staff Author, Virginia ChamleeFri, April 24, 2026 at 5:17 PM UTC
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Debra Wilson, Oprah WinfreyCredit: Liliane Lathan/Getty; Jamie McCarthy/Getty -
Debra Wilson says Oprah Winfrey should not take herself “so seriously” after reportedly disliking Wilson's impression of her on MADtv
In a 2022 interview, Wilson said she “didn't care” about the criticism and that even someone as influential as Oprah should be open to satire
Wilson appeared on the show's first eight seasons, from 1995 to 2003
MADtv cast member Debra Wilson is opening up about claims that Oprah Winfrey did not care for her impression, saying the longtime talk show host shouldn't take herself "so seriously."
Wilson, now 63, appeared on the show's first eight seasons, from 1995 to 2003, portraying Winfrey in sketches in an over-the-top and exaggerated way.
In an interview with Hype filmed in 2022, and recently released, Wilson said of Winfrey: "I think, you know, a lot of people love Oprah for so many things... I think you should not take yourself so serious. I don't know, but I'm just telling you, girl, don't take it so seriously."
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Debra as OprahCredit: 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection
Saying she "didn't care" if Winfrey took issue with the impression, Wilson added: "You do great work on this planet, but you get it, too."
While Winfrey herself has not publicly addressed the impression, Wilson said she "did find out that Oprah was not pleased."
Asked when she learned Winfrey was "not a fan" of her impression, Wilson said "it was a little later on in years," adding: "I left [the show] in 2003. I think it was like 2001, something like that."
But Wilson said she then met Winfrey, explaining that she was hosting the red carpet at the Emmy Awards with fellow MADtv alum Michael McDonald at the time.
"And she was in the background shot and Michael McDonald spotted her, and called her over ... and she didn't know the show at that point," Wilson explained, adding that McDonald then told Winfrey, "She does you on the show."
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"And I was like, 'No, no,' and then I got down on my knees. 'No, no, no, no. You, you goddess,'" Wilson added.
Footage from the event shows Winfrey responding to Wilson with, "Thank you. Thank you. Working out pays off."
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Earlier this year, Wilson reunited with other stars of MADtv, taking to social media to share a glimpse of their time spent together.
Wilson — along with cast members Mo Collins, Alex Borstein, and Will Sasso — could be seen in a photo posted to Instagram by Collins, who added the caption: "Look who I saw today!! Lucky me! Such a great day. I know this pic will make many of you happy too. 😊 #madtv"
The sketch comedy series — based on the long-running MAD Magazine — spoofed TV shows, movies, music videos and other pop-culture staples — airing from 1995 to 2009.
Wilson was also among some of the show's former cast members who looked back at their long careers in a May 2025 episode of the TigerBelly podcast, hosted by MADtv alumnus Bobby Lee alongside his best friend Khalyla.
In the pod, Wilson said that though she also hasn't found superstardom, she's happy. Her career since the series has included widespread work as a voice actress in TV shows and video games.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
