'The Wendy Williams Show' Enlists Male Guest Hosts Jerry Springer, Michael Rapaport & More As Ratings Soar Without Daytime Diva Wendy Williams
More fill-ins added!
While host Wendy Williams continue to be sidelined by a health crisis, her daytime chat fest announced a slew of new guest cohosts who will take the reins on Wednesday, November 3.
Actor Michael Rapaport, comedian Bill Bellamy, and talk show veterans Jerry Springer and pal Steve Wilkos will all take a turn at the “Hot Topics” table.
“The Wendy Williams Show is excited to announce that actor and comedian and good friend to the show, @michaelrapaport, will be guest hosting the week of November 8th,” the show’s official Instagram revealed.
“The following week kicks off with an all-new hot talk panel on Monday, November 15th. Then, actor and comedian @BillBellamy will take the reins on Tuesday, November 16th and Wednesday, November 17th,” the statement continued. “Later that week, legendary talk show host @judgejerrytv and fellow daytime host @thestevewilkosshow will be filling in on Thursday, November 18th and Friday, November 19th.”
The announcement comes after OK! learned the daytime talk show has soared in ratings amid Williams’ absence.
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For the week ending on October 24 — in which Leah Remini took over hosting duties — Wendy grew 33% in household ratings. The postponed premiere of the syndicated show kicked off with a 0.8 rating. This metric is on par with the same week last year, which gained a 0.9 rating. Prior to the October 18 launch of new episodes, the previous week of reruns scored a 0.5 rating in audience gain.
Amongst other daytime shows, such as Dr. Phil, Live With Kelly and Ryan, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Kelly Clarkson Show, Wendy ranked fifth in overall viewership.
The King of Queens actress hosted the show for a four-day stint from October 19 to October 22. The following week, comedian Whitney Cummings spent five days filling in, then Sherri Shepherd is currently helming the series until Friday, November 5.
The replacement hosts are keeping the show fresh while The Ask Wendy: Straight-Up Advice for All the Drama In Your Life author is on the mend from her debilitating health woes. The 57-year-old — who also contracted a breakthrough case of COVID-19 — has reportedly been battling complications as a result of Graves' Disease.
In 2018, the businesswoman revealed she had been suffering from the immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones for years.
