Wendy Williams' Possible Replacement Sherri Shepherd Undergoes Emergency Surgery, Michael Rapaport Steps In
Sherri Shepherd has reportedly undergone emergency surgery for appendicitis and may not be appearing as the guest host of The Wendy Williams Show this week as previously scheduled.
According to Deadline, Shepherd’s publicist told the outlet that the fan-favorite guest host was rushed into emergency surgery on Sunday.
“Due to appendicitis, Sherri Shepherd underwent an emergency surgery yesterday. The procedure was successful and Ms. Shepherd is doing fine and resting,” Shepherd’s publicist said in a statement today.
“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.”
Shepherd’s emergency surgery comes as The Wendy Williams Show producers continue their search for Williams' permanent replacement. The iconic talk show host has been MIA for recent months while battling everything from Covid-19 to Graves disease.
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Although the producers have not yet made their final decision, RadarOnline.com can report they are debating between Leah Remini and Shepherd to take over as the permanent replacement.
Remini looked like the front-runner at first.
"The company execs are obsessed with Leah. That's why they are bringing her back for 2 more weeks to host," our source told us last month. "Her ratings were huge and the entire staff loved working with her. She made it so easy and fun."
Producers revealed that Shepherd would be returning as guest host last week, but they made no mention of Remini.
Now that Shepherd is recovering from surgery, a spokesperson for The Wendy Williams Show has confirmed that Michael Rapaport – who was scheduled to guest host come the new year – will be sitting in for Shepherd while she recovers.
The spokesperson also said that Shepherd hopes to feel good enough to return to the show as guest host by the end of the week.
