https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8Uz6fOv1g8
Sherri Shepherd, Fox Television Stations, and Debmar-Mercury announced today that, as expected, the actress will be taking over Wendy Williams’ time slot in September. Shepherd says that she is not replacing the ailing talk show host because her show Sherri will be different. How different, they have the Summer to work on that.
This was not an easy decision for the production company. “This is also a bitter-sweet moment for us and our partners at FOX. We all have a great love and affinity for Wendy, who grew into a true icon during her 12 incredible seasons as the solo host of a live, daily talk show dishing on ‘Hot Topics’ and interviewing celebrities,” Debmar-Mercury Co-Presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein said. “Since Wendy is still not available to host the show as she continues on her road to recovery, we believe it is best for our fans, stations and advertising partners to start making this transition now. We hope to be able to work with Wendy again in the future, and continue to wish her a speedy and full recovery.”
Williams will not be back to wrap up her show due to medical issues. Instead, they will continue to have guests, including Shepherd, fill in until the season finale.
UPDATE: Wendy Williams’ publicist Howard Bragman released a statement to on his client’s behalf. “It’s been a challenging time for Wendy as she deals with her health issues. She is incredibly grateful to Debmar-Mercury, to Sherri and everybody else who has supported the show through this time.
“She, more than anyone, understands the reality of syndicated television — you can’t go to the marketplace and sell a show that’s the Maybe Wendy Show. She understands why this decision was made from a business point of view, and she has been assured by Debmar-Mercury that should her health get to a point where she can host again and should her desire be that she hosts again that she would be back on TV at that time.”
UPDATE 1: Wendy Williams contradicted her publicist’s statement. To read what she wrote, then
Wendy Williams said, “MR BRAGMAN ALTHOUGH I APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERNS AND RESPECT YOU IMMENSELY HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED YOU TO MAKE ANY STATEMENTS ON MY BEHALF REGARDING MY CURRENT STATUS WITH DEBMAR MERCURY.
“AGAIN THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUING CONCERN AND SUPPORT.”
UPDATE 2: Her publicist Howard Bragman responded to her response to his response about Sherrie Shepherd getting Williams’ timeslot to People. He wrote, “I’m not honestly convinced of the source of that social media post, so when my old friend Wendy FaceTimes me personally and we alone have a chance to discuss recent events, together we can figure out the best path forward.”
This is getting good! Who knew talk shows were also Daytime Dramas.
