Poets Staceyann Chin, Steve Colman, Suheir Hammad, Black Ice, Lemon, Georgia Me, Poetri, Beau Sia and Mayda del Valle — who appeared last season on the show — will once again spout their creations on the half-hour show which airs Sunday evenings at 11 PM (ET). Check your local listings.

Russell Simmons' "Def Poetry" (which has dropped the "Jam" from its title) taped at New York City's Supper Club in February. The series, directed by the Broadway helmer Stan Lathan, features modern-day troubadours and guest celebrities (singers, rappers, comedians, etc.) performing in front of a live audience.

Among the featured poets for this season are Reg E. Gaines (Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk), actresses Ruby Dee and Kim Fields, recording artists Common, Dead Prez, Ani di Franco, Floetry, Doug E. Fresh, KRS-One, MC Lyte, Speech and Kanye West with comedians Tracy Morgan, Adele Givens and Mike Epps.

Previous guests to take the stage in the show include Erykah Badu, Benjamin Bratt, Cedric the Entertainer, Dave Chappelle, Jamie Foxx, Danny Hoch, Jewel, Caroline Kennedy, Talib Kweli, The Last Poets, muMs, Rakim, Smokey Robinson, Jill Scott and Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

The theatrical Def Poetry Jam debuted at San Francisco's Theatre on the Square. Presented by Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan, in association with Kimora Lee Simmons, Island Def Jam Music Group, Brett Ratner and David Rosenberg, Def Poetry Jam was conceived by Lathan and Simmons. The stageshow also toured across the country with most of its original cast.

For more information and full schedule, visit the HBO website at www.hbo.com/defpoetry.