Production staffers on The Wendy Williams Show on BET (DStv 129) have reportedly completely moved on "like she doesn't exist" as the ailing Wendy abruptly took off weeks for medical treatment, with Wendy and her husband Kevin Hunter who are apparently "100 percent not involved" any longer with the show.
The Debmar-Mercury show is now making use of terrific stand-in hosts like Sherri Shepherd and Jerry O'Connell.
Wendy Williams abruptly announced in mid-January that she would be extending her absence from The Wendy Williams show after two previous new dates that got pushed out again and again, citing medical complications from her Graves' disease diagnosis.
There is currently no return date for when Wendy might return to her talk show currently in its 10th season with doubts growing as to whether she will now ever return.
RadarOnline reports that Wendy Williams staffers are allegedly not even bothering anymore to keep the sick Wendy in the loop anymore, with many saying they wish Wendy never returns ever again as the permanent host of the troubled talk show.
Sources on set say the production crew have moved on "as if she doesn't exist".
"At first, they were keeping her and Kevin in the loop, getting their approval on replacement hosts and guests. Now they are not even CC-ing them."
Wendy Williams is "100% not involved" in the talk show that carries her name right now, and the much more relaxed production team "feels like they're on vacation with all the guest hosts" after they have forgotten what a fun work environment could be like.
Us Weekly meanwhile reported that "every decision is now being made with zero conversations with Wendy".
Viacom's BET that broadcasts The Wendy Williams Show is itself hilariously reporting on the salacious gossip of its own star, saying "everyone is laughing and smiling and working together" without Wendy.
BET says "at first the staff was worried about losing their jobs," according to an on-set insider.
"Now it looks like the show can survive without Wendy, and a lot of people don't want her to return."
"There were so many unwritten rules with working with Wendy. You couldn't contact her directly. Only certain staff members could talk with her."
Kevin Hunter, Wendy's husband was apparently a nightmare. "No-one was allowed to disagree with him. It was a nightmare work environment," said a source. "You never knew what mood Wendy or Kevin were going to be in."
Meanwhile, angry Wendy staffers say "We've kept her secrets for years and dealt with them - but enough is enough".
"'The truth is, it's become a s**t show behind the scenes and at any given moment, as we've already seen twice this year already, the working plans tend to change day to day, hour to hour, and minute to minute."
"So everyone is holding out hope, and many are already seeking jobs elsewhere."
