Wendy Williams Not Returning to Talk Show This Season; Sherri Shepherd Nears Deal for Own Show

Wendy Williams will not be returning to her daytime talk show this season and the future of her show remains in limbo. According to Variety, Sherri Shepherd is in advanced discussions with Lionsgate’s Debmar-Mercury for her own daytime talk show, potentially replacing the Williams’ series.

The show is in its 13th season and is one of the biggest hits in daytime TV history. Launching in national syndication from Debmar-Mercury in 2008, the show was centered around Williams, who was a popular radio host known for her no-holds-barred take on celebrity gossip. The show immediately gained viewers and grew in popularity rather fast.

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Williams has been absent from her show all this season, as she has been battling ongoing health issues. Williams suffers from Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that she has been open about on her show.

Williams has stepped away from her talk show in 2021 and 2022, and during that time, guest hosts have filled in for her throughout this season, including Shepherd. Shepherd has been popular with audiences and sources say she has emerged as the frontrunner to take over Williams’ time slot. Right now, it is unclear whether Williams will come back to her show, but if she is in good enough health to do so and wants to return, executives would be ready to welcome her back.

“We’ll deal with the fall when we get there, but she’s not returning this season,” a source close to Williams told Variety.

Williams’ spokesperson, PR veteran Howard Bragman, declined to comment on this story.

What is the Status of The Wendy Williams Show?

In the meantime, Shepherd has been in talks with Debmar-Mercury, the same production company behind The Wendy Williams Show. If Williams does not return next season, a show starring Shepherd would be the next best option to fill the daytime slot. The show developed would fully be Shepherd’s own show, not a replacement for Williams. So far, nothing is signed or set in stone as there are many unknowns still to answer.

The Wendy Williams Show has had many guest hosts during its current season, including Leah Remini, Michael Rapaport, Whitney Cummings, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Kym Whitley, Finesse Mitchell, Devyn Simone, Julissa Bermudez and Variety’s chief correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister. Next week, Bevy Smith and Terrence J will host, and then Shepherd will return the following week.

A source close to Williams says the host is “incredibly grateful for all the guest hosts who have held down the fort” on her show. A spokesperson for Debmar-Mercury recently said they are not commenting on any speculation regarding Williams or Shepherd. At the start of this season Debmar-Mercury released this statement in support of Williams: “Wendy is a valued and stalwart member of the Debmar-Mercury family and has been so for 12 years. We want her health to be her top priority,” the statement continued. “As soon as she’s ready, she will be back in her treasured purple chair. We very much appreciate the respect for Wendy’s privacy, as well as all the good wishes from her fans, station partners and advertisers.” The daytime slot is a big hole to fill, which is likely why nothing has been confirmed just yet, as most of it depends on Williams’s health and if she can return.

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