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The end of an era.
That Wendy Williams Show officially concluded after almost 14 years on Friday, with a tribute to the series’ absent host Sherri Shepherd, who has stepped in for Wendy Williams this season.
During what she called a “big day,” Shepherd, 55, told the audience it was an “honor” and a “privilege” to be tapped to guest host on the program alongside other stars in William’s absence.
Shepherd also credited the show’s “incredible staff and crew” as well as the “loyal wendy Viewers” before paying tribute to Williams himself.
TIED TOGETHER: That Wendy Williams Show End after almost 14 years
“It has to be said that there is no one like Wendy Williams. From her radio days to 13 seasons of daytime talking, Wendy has earned her title as Queen of All Media,” she said. “If you think about it, Wendy Williams changed the conversation on the day with her unique approach to ‘hot topics’, her unique celebrity interviews, her signature ‘Ask Wendy’ segments and of course with all of you famous ‘How are you? ‘”
“And I want to say, Miss Wendy, you are an icon and you are loved by so many, so many,” Shepherd added before the studio audience erupted in cheers for William’s name.
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The Wendy Williams Show
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Williams, 57, chatted with him after the last show extrawhere she told host Billy Bush what’s next for her.
According to Bush, 50, Williams spoke to Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein, the two heads of Debmar-Mercury – the production company that owned it The Wendy Williams Show — and they all hit it off and agreed it was time to end the series.
Williams also told Bush that she plans to release a podcast series with iTunes in the near future.
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PEOPLE confirmed earlier this month that Williams was officially ending her talk show. “The last original episode of The Wendy Williams Show will air Friday, June 17 with a video tribute to the legendary host,” a rep for the show told PEOPLE after first sharing the news exclusively with them diversity. “The series comes to an end after 13 successful years in syndication.”
Back in October 2021, ahead of the talk show’s season 13 premiere, Williams’ breakthrough COVID-19 case and her ongoing health issues related to Graves’ disease delayed her initial return. The premiere episode was pushed back to October 18 again, despite Williams’ recovery from COVID-19.
Williams previously took a hiatus from the show in March 2018 and again in May 2020 due to complications with her Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism. She also took a six-week break in early 2019 after breaking her shoulder. She later revealed that even while on furlough she was quietly focusing on her sobriety.
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before The Wendy Williams Show‘s finale, Williams’ ex-husband Kevin Hunter revealed he wasn’t happy with the way things were going for her.
“I think it’s a mockery for Debmar-Mercury to have such an unceremonious exit without Wendy involved,” he said entertainment tonight.
“It’s the first time in talk show history that this has happened, especially for a show that’s been going on for more than 10 years,” he continued. “There’s absolutely no reason why a bigger celebration with Wendy couldn’t happen.”
“I know the blood, sweat and tears that went into making the show such a success,” added Hunter to ET. “I’m not happy with how the show is ending on a personal level and I’m really sorry that fans of the show have to see how it plays out the way it is.”
Shepherd will now debut her own show, Sherrithis case in The Wendy Williams Show Time window.