Wendy Williams Not Returning to Talk Show in New Year as Production Confirms Guest Hosts
Wendy Williams has been out of her namesake show all season since “ongoing medical issues” were reported by her production team. After pushing back the season 13 premiere several times, the show finally went on the air on Oct. 18. Guest hosts have been filling in for Williams in her absence. Fans were hopeful that the talk show queen would return in the new year but the January 2022 guest host list was just revealed for the entire month.
Who will be guest hosting on ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ in 2022?
The show without Williams has not been the same but the production team has been able to line up some special guest hosts. Although viewers were hoping Williams would return to her purple chair in January 2022, that idea was scrapped when the guest host list was revealed for the entire month of January.
Currently, Leah Remini and Michelle Visage are taking over the show that will have them on-air through the holiday hiatus. When new episodes start airing again, Fat Joe and Remi Ma will be guest hosting starting Jan. 3 through Jan. 7.
On Jan. 10, Michael Rapaport will return to hosting the talk show taking him all the way through Jan. 14. Kym Whitley and Finesse Mitchell will host from Jan. 17 through Jan. 21. Lastly, Sherri Shepherd will return to the talk show on Jan. 24 and take it all the way through Jan. 28. The comedian has scored the highest ratings during the week she hosted and it’s no surprise production asked her back.
As of now, there’s no word as to who will be hosting the show in February during the important Sweeps period on television.
Wendy Williams fans sound off after guest host reveal
After The Wendy Williams Show announced the guest hosts that would be taking over on January 2022, it wasn’t long before fans weighed in with their thoughts. Some are wary that this could be an indication that Williams will not be returning, while others expressed their excitement for the lineup.
“So when are y’all planning to announce Wendy isn’t coming back??? Because it’s getting kinda obvious, at least to me,” a fan replied.
“Yesssss to Joe and Remy getting a week but can we get a video message or something from Wendy?” a viewer asked.
“Just make Sherri shepherd permanent guess host until Wendy come back or not. She [is] the only one who understands the assignment and order of the show,” an Instagram user suggested.
“I’m exhausted just cancel the show at this point or rename it,” a frustrated fan said.
“Haven’t watched since Michael Rapport hosted last month. I find myself watching re-runs of Wendy just to feel that spice again… it’ll never be the same,” another viewer commented.
“Sherri and Michael run the show way better than everyone else,” another Instagram user mentioned.
What is going on with Wendy Williams?
The last time viewers got an update from Williams was on Nov. 8 when production posted a written statement on social media. Williams said she was “taking longer than expected” to recover but was working with her doctors to return to her purple throne.
“I have heard your prayers and comments and feel all the love!” she wrote thanking her fans. “You are everything to me. I love spending my mornings with you all and I’m doing everything I can to get back to work, but right now Wendy has to focus on Wendy. I love you for watching.”
The Wendy Williams is a nationally syndicated talk show that airs at different times and channels across the country.
