More bad news Wendy Williams.
A new report reveals that Lionsgate, the company that produces The Wendy Williams Show, is about to fire her from the show that bears her name.
Williams has missed the entirety of her show’s 13th season due to ongoing medical problems. While specifics of her diagnosis remain scant, insider sources have suggested that the talk show host has suffered some kind of mental deterioration, possibly related to dementia.
Earlier this week, leaked court documents revealed that Williams recently lost control of her own finances due to mental incapacity, something the talk show host disputes.
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Williams’ mounting absences has forced Lionsgate to seek a replacement. Deadline now reports that replacement will likely be none other than former The View co-host Sherri Shepherd.
Related: The View’s Sherri Shepherd on her antigay past, pay discrimination, and mean girl Barbara Walters
Until now, Shepherd has shared guest-hosting duties on The Wendy Williams Show with actor Michael Rapaport. Sources also reveal that both actors have taken an initiative in determining the show’s guests.
Should Shepherd ink the deal, which she poised to do, it will mark her first full-time television gig since she departed The View in 2014.
Shepherd herself is no stranger to controversy, having made ignorant anti-LGBTQ comments on The View in the past, including blaming gay men for spreading HIV to heterosexual black women and frequently using the “love the sinner, hate the sin” argument when talking about homosexuality, in general.
In 2014, she had to issue an apology following an interview with talk show host Alicia Menendez in which she was perceived as condemning queer people.
“Working on a talk show that’s centered in the opinion business, there’s been several things that I’ve shared in the press that have upset people, and typically I don’t respond to the criticism,” Shepherd said in her apology. “However, I’d like to say I’m truly sorry to anyone I’ve offended with the viewpoints I expressed on Alicia Menendez Tonight on the Fusion network.”
In a 2020 interview with People, Shepard spoke about her anti-LGBTQ past, saying says she has evolved since then and no longer holds her homophobic views or judges queer people.
“You love who you love,” she explained. “I’ve evolved. Look, my best friend, my best friend Tommy Borden, he’s been married to his husband, Jimmy, for the last 17 years. I couldn’t even make two marriages work past six years. Who am I to be judging anybody?”
Related: Wendy Williams is bleeding followers as her longest-running fan page calls it quits
THAT Steve
Meh. She’s still better than Wendy (who I still keep wanting to the middle initial O in her name). I’ve long just wanted Williams gone but definitely not like this. My eighty-four-year-old mother is in the early stages of dementia, and I wouldn’t wish that on any person or their loved ones.
Chrisk
My mom got it in her mid 60s and went downhill really fast. Horrifying to watch. in 8 years she was just gone. So yeah, Dementia/Alzheimer’s is no joke.
Cam
Ugh, whatever your thoughts on Williiams, if that diagnosis is true then she has my sympathy, horrible thing to happen to somebody.
Polaro
Agreed.
Invader7
As if WW hasn’t had enough helath problems : Graves disease ( bulging eyes -which is VERY uncomfortable and can lead to more serious complications ) , thyroid disease which messes with the persons whole body .And if its true she has the early stages of dementia that is DEVASTATING.. And she’s relatively young in her mid 50’s… Plus going thorugh the humiliating divorce from her low life,sleazy, slimy,scum bag EX husband. She learned real hard what a back stabbing 2 faced traitor he TRULY is.. Now she may have dementia. And if the last item -that she’s lost control of her finances. Its truly very sad….
Me2
It’s hard not to feel bad for her. This would be the time when the support of a spouse is needed most. At this point I’m sure the show nor the money even matter to her.
Fahd
Williams seems to just have come to a crossroads that she could not navigate when she had to face the truth about her husband’s infidelities. Her deterioration really accelerated from that point.
Isn’t Ms. Shephard the flat-earther and the one who abandoned her own baby because she was betrayed by the baby’s father? I’m not a fan, but she must be pulling the ratings to land this gig. What does that say about the viewing public?
I haven’t watched and I don’t have plans to watch.
Terrycloth
The first time I saw Wendy Williams, I thought she was a drag queen..the mannerisms, the wigs. , the exaggerated way she spoke..so, I Googled her and. I was shocked she was a real woman….Sheri shepherd can do as she pleases .didn’t care for her on the view. I suppose she can make fun of celebrities as well as Wendy could..every now and then I’d watch some of wendy…after 10 – 15 minutes I had enough
Jack
Wendy’s health and life circumstances over the past few years should make her want to retire. I just wish she could retire happy, with her millions and be completely healthy. I really pray she doesn’t have dementia.
Kangol2
As awful as Wendy Williams could be at times I wouldn’t wish this outcome on her. I do wonder if the stress surrounding her divorce and the pressure of keeping this show on the air wreaked havoc on her health; stress alone can do a great deal of damage. I know she has a son who is nearly grown so I hope he’s able to step in and help her to whatever extent he can, particularly when it comes to her finances. I’m not a big fan of Sherri Shepherd, and even at her best, she doesn’t have Wendy Williams’ sense of showmanship or drama, or any shtick or catchphrases (“How you doin’?”), so she’ll be taking over on a wing and prayer at best.
Ronbo
These comments are good things. Each and every one of you deserve a Thank you from humanity. We can be better and you prove it right here.
spunkfunker
I read an article a few months ago that said that all of this was related to her implants. The article intimated that she had been resisting getting them removed; even after her doctors advised her doing so. If those things start to leak you can get really sick.