The Wendy Williams Show has a permanent guest host, which is a long way of saying that the talk show will keep its name even though it will be hosted by someone else.
According to a source, guest host Sherri Shepherd is in talks to become a permanent guest host. She and other celebrities have taken turns hosting since Wendy Williams stepped down in September. However, a rep for Shepherd remained tight-lipped about this news, telling E! News, “Sherri Shepherd is thrilled to be invited back to guest host the Wendy Williams Show the week of February 21st. No comment on these rumors.”
Shepherd is currently set to take the helm from February 21 to February 25.
Producers are waiting to see if Williams’ health improves and she is able to return before changing the name of the syndicated talk show, according to TMZ. The outlet reports that if Williams’ condition remains the same, Shepherd will assume her new position at the start of the upcoming season in September.
More than four months have passed since producers revealed Williams had COVID-19. They said in a statement at the time that she was taking a break to receive treatment and that the show would return in October for its 13th season.
However, the show was delayed for a second time before its premiere.
“[Wendy] has been and continues to be under a doctor’s care and is still not ready to return to work,” an Instagram statement read. “Her breakthrough COVID case is no longer an issue and she has tested negative but she is still dealing with some ongoing medical issues.”
Producers eventually brought Shepherd, Michael Rapaport, Whitney Cummings, Leah Remini, and other celebrities on as guest hosts.
Shepherd went on to have her own health scare while hosting the show in December. Rapaport appeared onstage to inform the audience that Shepherd had been taken to the hospital for emergency appendicitis surgery.
Her rep later said in a statement, “She is absolutely devastated that she will not be able to guest host The Wendy Williams Show today, but she is following doctor’s orders and expected to make a full recovery. Thank you all for understanding and respecting her privacy.”
