'Vampire Diaries' exclusive: Melinda Clarke is the mom from hell!

Julie Cooper’s comin’ to Mystic Falls!

Sources confirm to me exclusively that Vampire Diaries has tapped the inimitable Melinda Clarke (The O.C., CSI) to play Kelly Donovan, Matt’s irresponsible, hard-drinking absentee mother.

How rotten is this woman? She didn’t even bother to show up to her own daughter’s funeral. (In other words, my kind of gal!)

I’m told Clark’s scenery-chewing boozehound will blow into town in March and stick around for at least three episodes.

Memo to Kevin Williamson: Let’s get that series regular paperwork started now!