Wendy Williams' Producers Bringing Back Sherri Shepherd As Guest Host, Former 'View' Star Battling Leah Remini For Talk Show Takeover
Dec. 8 2021, Published 2:13 p.m. ET
Wendy Williams won't be ringing in the new year on television. The Wendy Williams Show has asked Sherri Shepherd back as a guest host in 2021, but not Leah Remini as RadarOnline.com is told both ladies are slated to battle it out as the 57-year-old host full-time replacement.
The talk show just made the announcement, Wendy won't be back in January after being MIA for months but Shepherd will from January 24-28. Remini — who, we're told is producers' frontrunner — did not make the cut over fan-favorite Shepherd.
But the former View host isn't the only celebrity taking over Wendy's show in the new year.
The Wendy Williams Show kicks off with Fat Joe and Remy Ma from January 3-7, followed by Michael Rapaport and Kym Whitley with Finesse Mitchell.
"The company execs are obsessed with Leah. That's why they are bringing her back for 2 more weeks to host," our source revealed last month. "Her ratings were huge and the entire staff loved working with her. She made it so easy and fun."
Despite Shepherd's impressive numbers, producers believe the ex-Scientologist "could be the one to replace Wendy for good." However, it's an interesting move that they invited Shepherd back instead of Remini.
Wendy Williams Has Plans In Place After Talk Show Ends As Producers Look For Full-Time Replacement
Wendy gave a quick health update while making her way out of a Miami wellness spa early this month. It was the first sighting without the talk show host in her wheelchair in months.
Talking in the third person, Wendy told photographers she was "fabulous" and teased there's "much more Wendy stuff" to come.