Wendy Williams Addresses Her Talk Show Absence & Health Woes As 'The Wendy Williams Show' Ratings Soar Without Her
As Wendy Williams' health woes continue to impede on her return to The Wendy Williams Show, the embattled host released a statement while remaining coy about her wellbeing.
"HOW YOU DOIN'? I MISS YOU ALL!" Williams' statement to Instagram began in bold letters.
"As everyone knows, my health has been a hot topic," her Monday, November 8, post read. "I’m making progress but it’s just one of those things that’s taking longer than we expected."
Noting she's a "woman of a certain age," Williams said she knows enough to listen to her doctors, before promising she "will return to my purple chair as soon as we all agree I’m ready."
The 57-year-old went on to applaud those who stepped in while she works on getting back on her feet. "I want to thank all of my staff and our guest hosts for stepping up and stepping in while I can’t be there," the brunette babe continued.
"I also want to thank Debmar-Mercury and our stations for being so understanding and supportive while I work my way back," she added of the TV syndication company.
Most of all, Williams shared that she wanted to thank her fans, writing: "I have heard your prayers and comments and feel all the love! You are everything to me."
Acknowledging that she loves to spend her mornings with her fans and audience, the radio host insisted: "I’m doing everything I can to get back to work." However, right now, "Wendy has to focus on Wendy."
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Williams concluded by applauding her fans for still watching her show despite her absence.
Fans were quick to send Williams their well wishes amid this uncertain time, with one social media user writing via the comment section: "We love you, Wendy! Get better. We will be here waiting for you!!! ❤️❤️❤️," as another added: "Take your time to get well queen!!! Much love!!! ❤️."
Meanwhile, it seems her fans aren't only watching The Wendy Williams Show for the talk show host's sake, but because they're loving it without her. OK! reported the show's rating have skyrocketed amid Williams' absence, with the show growing 33% in household ratings following the week ending on October 24.
Compared to other daytime shows — including Dr. Phil, Live With Kelly and Ryan, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Kelly Clarkson Show — Wendy also ranked fifth in overall viewership, OK! reported.
The new season — which was postponed multiple times — kicked off on October 18, with Leah Remini hosting the show for a four-day stint followed by Whitney Cummings, who spent five days filling in for Williams. Sherri Shepherd also took over the purple chair as actor Michael Rapaport, comedian Bill Bellamy, and talk show veterans Jerry Springer and pal Steve Wilkos were announced as the upcoming guest hosts.
While Williams' show appears to be doing just fine without her, The Ask Wendy: Straight-Up Advice for All the Drama In Your Life author continues to battle complications as a result of Graves' disease — an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones — not to mention her previous breakthrough COVID-19 case.
After her Season 13 premiere was pushed back in September, OK! learned Williams was hospitalized for "psychiatric services."
It's unclear when the best-selling author plans to make her return, as an insider previously revealed she had been struggling with health issues for a while and was "drinking everyday while filming" before her hospitalization.
