The Wendy Williams Show has posted a solemn picture commemorating the series’ final episode.
Across social media, the official Wendy Williams Show pages posted a photo of the set with Williams’ iconic pink Hot Topics chair. The caption simply reads: “We love you for watching.”
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The picture is, admittedly, a haunting one since Williams did not show up for the final episode, and her absence only highlights all of the headlines and tabloid fodder that was her departure from the series.
As Shadow and Act and other outlets have reported, Williams battled with various ailments, including her diagnosis of Graves’ disease and a bout with COVID-19, leaving her unable to host the show during its 13th–and now final–season.
As Williams was in recovery, her seat was filled by various guest hosts who were friends to the show, including Michael Rapaport and Sherri Shepherd.
Shepherd, the most popular of the guest hosts, eventually became the full-time replacement. Debmar-Mercury later decided that the show would be rebranded with Shepherd as the official host; the show will now be called Sherri and will premiere this fall.
Norman Baker, supervising producer for The Wendy Williams Show (and who will also be joining Shepherd during the new season), told paparazzi that the final episode was "bittersweet."
“It’s so bittersweet. I’m so sad but also so happy to be moving on to Sherri. But Wendy was the best. I will miss her so much. I’m going to really miss working with her,” he said, adding that he hasn’t spoken to her recently.
“I’m sure she’s doing well,” he said.
