The TV Zone

Barring some sort of unforeseen something, Tina Fey will return to the show that made her famous tonight to pillory, parody and prod someone who has been famous for about a week or so. You know who that is.

An AP file a little while ago pretty much confirmed that Tina, gone now a couple years or so, will indeed be back, or to use the cautious word the wire service employed, it's "likely." Of course, this won't be a full time gig, and couldn't be - she's still got that other hit to produce for her boss, Lorne Michaels. And it's certainly not the first time she's been back either (remember the "bitch is back" during the primaries?)

Fey-as-Palin is the most logical casting move on the planet, and during the conference call the other day, Lorne said that talks with her were "on-going," but also noted somewhat dolefully that newcomer Casey Wilson had also read for the part, so she could do it as well. Michaels - being the great showman that he is - also knew that anyone besides Tina would be a massive let-down, for fans, viewers, and of course critics like moi who have been expecting it.

Here's the top of the AP dispatch, which also notes that Barack Obama has canceled (he was going to show up) - no surprise there considering the devastation from Ike.

"Fey is ''likely'' to return to her former show Saturday to play the Alaskan governor and Sen. John McCain's running mate, a person close to the show told The Associated Press on Friday night. The person requested anonymity because the decision has not been announced officially. No further details were available.

Since Palin's entry onto the national political stage, speculation had been rampant over who might play Palin on the program. Many have commented that Fey resembles her.

In an interview earlier this week with The AP, ''SNL'' executive producer and creator Lorne Michaels said, ''The whole world cast her in that role.''"

Indeed it did.