This is it. Over the weekend a report emerged that “The Wendy Williams Show” will be officially coming to an end this June and interim series host Sherri Shepherd has finalized her deal for a program — working title “The Sherri Shepherd Show” — that is set to replace Wendys Williams’ spot this fall.
On Feb. 20 Love B. Scott reported an unidentified source described as close to production told the gossip outlet: “The producers informed everyone that the [Wendy Show] was being canceled at the end of June. Then in the next breath, they hired everyone to work on the new Sherri show.”
The site said its production sources also noted that Williams had reportedly “become somewhat unbearable, having tantrums and throwing things at people.” They added, “Basically, the consensus among the crew is that she didn’t wanna be there anymore. Her illnesses may have exacerbated that feeling.”
Last week Williams resurfaced on social media — but from a personal Instagram account — to give fans an update on herself amid adverse reports regarding her health. In the 5-minute post, Williams walked along the beach wearing a black hoodie. “It’s just after 8 o’clock in the morning, and I’m doing OK, you know?” she said at the time. Williams is reported to no longer have access to her official Instagram page.
In a statement to Page Six after the Instagram post, Williams’ publicist said the host “thanks everyone who has been patiently awaiting her return and believes that thanks in large part to the love and support of her son, her family, her new team of doctors, and a change of scenery, she is on the mend.”
“Wendy says to all her fans, ‘How you doing?’ Please send positive messages, energy, and affirmations to her social media that she can read daily,” the rep added before pointing to the @therealwendywilliamsonline for more updates.
Fans and celebrities reacted with shock at news of the show’s cancellation, and tributes to Williams’ legacy in the media began to pour in. “The Real” co-host and comedian Loni Love took to her Twitter account and she shared a photo of herself and the host, writing, “Wendy Williams revolutionized daytime tv.. this woman would open her show BY HERSELF for 20 minutes and keep the audience captivated!”
She added, “Agree or disagree with her no one can deny her skill for talk..I have learned a lot from you @WendyWilliams and wish you well..”
Another fan commented, “It’s the end of an era. What we cannot say is that Wendy Williams didn’t leave her mark on Radio, Television, Hip-Hop and tabloid culture.”
“The fact is no one can or will do daytime like Wendy Williams,” wrote a third person. “An end of an era. 15 years strong is no small feat. Unfiltered, raw, real, authentic, unapologetic and carried the show simply off her brand which was gossip. No one can replace her. I wish her well with her health.”
“The Wendy Williams Show” had been on since 2008 and ran for 14 seasons, with the most recent seasons seeing an array guest stars, including Remy Ma and Fat Joe, as Williams battled several health issues.
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