Wendy Williams 'suffocating' in locked-up memory unit

by Thinus Ferreira

The former American talk show host Wendy Williams now claims its her son Kevin who stole her money - something that led to her bank freezing her account - that he was involved with a woman her age, and that she is "suffocating" in a small room in the "memory care unit" of her senior assisted living facility she can't escape from.

Wendy Williams (60) was placed under guardianship three years ago and is speaking out in a new interview from the facility in New York City where she's locked up and can't leave unless someone someone has the elevator key and open it for her.

Wendy Williams has been living in the senior care centre's "memory unit" looking after patients suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and dementia for seven months after an eye-popping Lifetime documentary last year Where is Wendy Williams?.

The documentary tracked what happened and led to Wend Williams' finances and her life to be placed under guardianship in March 2022 of Sabrina Morrissey - also called a conservatorship - and revealed Williams' battle against alcoholism and substance abuse.

Wendy Williams was diagnosed with aphasia and Frontotemporal dementia, as well as Alcohol-related brain damage with the guardian who said she is now "permanently incapacitated".

Wendy Williams doesn't have access to a cellphone, a computer or laptop or tablet but has a landline - a phone she can make calls from, but on which she can't receive calls. She also can't leave her floor and nobody can visit her.

The American gossip site TMZ's owner Harvey Levin hatched a plan to do the latest interview with Williams from inside her "imprisonment" on the 5th floor, since he has been friends with Williams and she had his number.

TMZ set up a camera in one of the opposite buildings, and then filmed Wendy Williams standing for an hour at the window, as Harvey Levin conducted a stand-up-sit-down interview with Williams who called on the landline and help the phone to her ear.

The interview, TMZ: Saving Wendy, is now available on Tubi. Tubi is like YouTube and no registration or account is required to access the site but Tubi is geo-locked and not yet available in South Africa. 

South Africans who want to watch TMZ: Saving Wendy, need to use a VPN selecting one of the countries where Tubi is already available, like the United States, to watch the interview.

Here are five of the most startling new revelations:

1. Isolated

Wendy Williams told Harvey Levin "The place where I am, the people are older. They are in their 80s and 90s. They call this the memory unit. I am part of the memory unit. In other words, what? Somebody who doesn't remember crap? Are you serious? The memory unit is suffocating. I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in my bedroom."

"There's a bathroom, there's a closet, and the TV which was purchased by me through the guardian person.

2. Cats gone, clothes off-limits

"My guardian person got rid of my cats," Wendy Williams said.

"I don't know where my cats are now. They're twins. I've had these cats for years. And the guardian person told me that I can't go to storage. Everything's in storage. My clothing. Yes, there's clothing here but the majority's in storage."

"There's some stuff from my dad that I'd like to get. There's stuff for me that I would like to get. I'm denied going to storage."

3. Son allegedly stole her money

Wendy Williams claims she now knows why bank Wells Fargo froze her account before she was placed under guardianship and that it is because large withdrawals were made from her account by her own son Kevin Hunter.

"My son, he overstepped his boundaries and he was inappropriately using my money without telling me. Is he stealing from me? That's when my money got frozen at Wells Fargo, thank God. No more money stealing from my son and the other people."

"I was: What is going on with my money? Where is my phone Kevin? Where is my phone? Why are you keeping my phone? And there was nothing that I could do without my phone. And who am I going to call? So my son is overspending."

4. 'Horrible' son involved with woman Wendy's age

Wendy Williams broke down and started crying, telling Harvey "my son is a really good person but at this point in time he was a horrible person to me".

"The way he moves with other people - and what's going on with these other people at my apartment in Miami? What are you doing?"

Wendy Williams said "my son is not the only one involved with my money. Somebody pretended to be me - and it wasn't anybody in my family. It happens to be a person that I was introduced to by my son. And it's a woman, approximately my age."

"This woman called on the phone, pretending to be me. Red flag Wells Fargo, red flag, red flag! And so red flag thank God, they stopped all of the money that had been stolen from me by these people. Fortunately, I still had money left."

"In the process, the guardian gets to look after my money and I'm stuck here for three years. What kind of money is she making from me?"

5. Luxury prison

Wendy Williams noted that she feels "like I'm in prison. I'm in a luxury prison".

Wendy Williams diagnosed with dementia and aphasia

by Thinus Ferreira

The former American talk show host Wendy Williams (59) has been diagnosed with dementia and aphasia, after battling alcohol addiction and other health issues like Graves' disease and lymphedema.

Her dementia and aphasia diagnosis is the same as what has been happening to former action star Bruce Willis.

Williams is currently in an undisclosed treatment facility with family unable to contact her, with only a court-appointed legal guardian who has access to her. Williams can call family members from an unidentified number, but they can't call her. Her bank accounts were frozen in 2022.

In a press release from her representatives, her "care team" said "Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy's ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy's condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions.".

"In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)."

"Aphasia, a condition affecting language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder impacting behaviour and cognitive functions, have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life."

"The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances."

"Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioural changes but have not yet received a diagnosis."

"There is hope that with early detection and far more empathy, the stigma associated with dementia will be eliminated, and those affected will receive the understanding, support, and care they deserve and need."

"Wendy is still able to do many things for herself. Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way."

The announcement comes just before a two-part documentary, produced by Williams, "Where is Wendy Williams?" will be broadcast in the United States over this upcoming weekend on the Lifetime TV channel which is no longer available in South Africa. 

Paramount ran The Wendy Williams Show on its BET (DStv 129) channel until Williams' erratic behaviour led to its inevitable cancellation in mid-2022.

In the latest issue of People magazine in America to promote the documentary, her family - including her niece, sister and brother - broke their silence around her "shocking and heartbreaking" struggles.

"The people who love her cannot see her, "Wendy's sister Wanda told People magazine."I think the big question is: How the hell did we get here?"

To promote the documentary, Thursday's episode of the American talk show The View also featured Williams' niece Alex Finnie. 

In the released clip, Finnie, says contact with Williams has "been limited". "I finally got some sort of a response not too long ago, but it has been a big problem for the family in terms of just 'Can we get an update on how she’s doing?"

"All of a sudden there was just this wall that went down and the family was blocked out. It was in April 2022. And the contact from that point on, has been so limited."

"She went into where she is now, between April and May last year. We went months before we were even able to get a call."

Season debut of The Wendy Williams Show on BET postponed yet again as talk show host undergoes psychiatric evaluation after relapse and staffers say 'everyone smells the liquor'.

The season premiere of the 13th season of The Wendy Williams Show on BET (DStv 129) has been pushed out yet again with Wendy Williams undergoing psychiatric evaluation after the American talk show host reportedly relapsing into drinking and insider staffers said that "They see it, they know it; they smelled the liquor".

Last week Wendy Williams (57) also tested positive for Covid-19. The 13th season premiere of The Wendy Williams Show, seen on BET (DStv 129), was supposed to start on 20 September, but was abruptly postponed to 4 October. 

Rumours are already swirling that the already-delayed premiere might be pushed back yet again.

American tabloids report that Wendy Williams (57) has been taken for psychiatric evaluation to the Beth Israel Hospital.

Staffers told the tabloids that they been "back for weeks now anticipating to have the show return at the end of the month".

"Now with it pushed back, staff is freaking out and becoming increasingly concerned and it doesn't help that information isn't being shared internally. Everyone is finding out what is happening in the news like everyone else."

Last week The Wendy Williams Show Instagram account announced that "Wendy is dealing with some ongoing health issues and is undergoing further evaluations. She will not be able to complete her promotional activities next week, but can't wait to be back in her purple chair on Monday, 20 September 20th for the 13th season premiere".

Just days later everything changed again when a follow-up post was released, noting that "While continuing her health evaluations, Wendy has tested positive for a breakthrough case of Covid-19."

"To allow Wendy time to quarantine and fully recover and to ensure that our production abides by all SAG/AFTRA and DGA Covid-19 protocols, we expect to begin the 13th season of The Wendy Williams Show on Monday 4 October."

Drinking heavily again

Staffers told the tabloids that Wendy Williams relapsed into drinking heavily again just before she was hospitalised for psychiatric evaluation, and that staffers working on the talk show smelled her reeking of alcohol.

"Wendy was drinking every day, even when filming the show. Everyone is an enabler because they don't want to lose their job. They see it, they know it, they smelled the liquor."

"Wendy drinks every day and the only time she was sober was when she was at the sober house. Her staffers are worried but no-one is ever going to speak up because they don't want to lose their jobs," an insider said.

"Wendy is an alcoholic. A bad one. She doesn't need a talk show, she needs help."

It turns out 10 April Wasn't Wendy Williams Day in South Africa as small ratings disappoint for American talk show host's biopic and documentary on A+E Networks Africa's Lifetime channel.

by Thinus Ferreira

While A+E Networks Africa tried to turn 10 April 2021 into "Wendy Williams Day" in South Africa on its Lifetime (DStv 131) channel, it didn't work, with this past Saturday that was far from a "Wendy Williams Day" and small viewership of her biopic and documentary on the Lifetime channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service.

Viewership ratings from South Africa's Broadcast Research Council (BRC) indicate that the claimed "Wendy Williams Day" only managed to hook a disappointingly small 49 219 viewers in the country during the 19:20 timeslot on Lifetime on Saturday for the Wendy Williams: The Movie made-for-TV movie.

The ratings increased very slightly to 50 107 viewers for the Wendy Williams: What a Mess! documentary that followed afterwards during the 20:50 timeslot on Lifetime on DStv.

In America the Wendy Williams biopic and documentary performed much better in viewership and audience share when it was shown on pay-TV there - also on a Saturday - in late-2020.

In March Wendy Williams mistakenly claimed in a YouTube video that 10 April is "Wendy Williams Day in South Africa", with South Africans who wondered where she got the wrong information.  

The former female radio shock jock turned TV talk show host Wendy Williams partnered with A+E Networks' Lifetime channel in the United States to tell her life story following the implosion of her marriage to Kevin Hunter.

His infidelity that led to lurid tabloid headlines and almost spelt the end of her The Wendy Williams Show seen on ViacomCBS Networks Africa's BET (DStv 129) channel in Africa.

ALSO READ: Wendy Williams Hot Topic biopic as well as fascinating Wendy Williams What a Mess! documentary to both air on Lifetime in Africa on Saturday 10 April.

Wendy Williams Hot Topic biopic as well as fascinating Wendy Williams What a Mess! documentary to both air on Lifetime in Africa on Saturday 10 April.

by Thinus Ferreira

In April South African viewers will get to see the sordid details of her personal life story, as well as the shocking drama behind-the-scenes as production on her American TV talk show crumbled, when Lifetime will broadcast both the Wendy Williams made-for-TV movie, immediately followed by the eye-popping documentary.

The former female radio shock jock turned TV talk show host Wendy Williams partnered with A+E Networks' Lifetime channel in the United States to tell her life story following the implosion of her marriage to Kevin Hunter, after his infidelity that led to lurid tabloid headlines and almost spelt the end of her The Wendy Williams Show seen on BET (DStv 129) in Africa.

The biopic, Wendy Williams: Hot Topic, as well as the startling documentary, Wendy Williams: What a Mess!, will be broadcast in South Africa and across sub-Saharan Africa on Saturday 10 April on Lifetime (DStv 131), two and a half months after it was shown in America on 30 January.

Interestingly, Lifetime has scheduled the Wendy Williams event night for a Saturday night in Africa as well, similar to America where both broadcasts became the most-watched programming on pay-TV for the night.

The biopic, Wendy Williams: Hot Topic is first on Saturday 10 April at 19:20, starring Ciera Payton in the lead role. 

The film that starts in the present, rewinds and pulls back the curtain on Wendy's childhood years, her early work life trauma at radio stations including her drug use and rape, as well as the start of her TV talk show in New York.

In recent years her talk show almost derailed following health issues and her controlling husband who cheated on her and had a child with another woman living just a few kilometres away. 

It led to Wendy escaping the "prison" Kevin allegedly built up around her after confining her in a so-called "sober house" where she couldn't speak to anybody and couldn't leave except with guards to record episodes of her show.

The documentary, Wendy Williams: What a Mess!, with a crying Wendy Williams speaking directly to camera, is also filled with fascinating first-person interviews including her parents, family members and friends, and talk show producers.

The documentary is filled with more startling revelations and insights, for instance how Wendy was essentially "held captive" by her husband and decided to escape from a car in order to make a secret meeting she had set up to file for divorce, the humiliation she experienced in childhood and how it turned her into a determined loner driven to succeed, as well as her notorious feuds with celebrities from Mariah Carey to Whitney Houston.

In the documentary viewers her more about the shocking circumstances that led to her divorce, her childhood, the untold turmoil behind-the-scenes of her TV talk show, and the private darkness she has had to endure.

Wendy Williams back on BET in Africa for her 12 season - but with several changes, episodes a month late and cold topics that's old and dated.

by Thinus Ferreira

On Tuesday at 09:30 Wendy Williams bounced back on BET (DStv 129) for the premiere of season 12 of her American talk show but with several changes - including her signature "Hot Topics" that have now become cold topics and hopelessly outdated with ViacomCBS Networks Africa that is now running episodes a month late.

While MultiChoice's constantly wrong online DStv episode guide (EPG) shows The Wendy Williams Show to broadcast at 10:00 on weekday mornings, Wendy is actually shown from 09:30 to 10:15 on BET.

Wendy Williams is now back in her New York studio for The Wendy Williams Show but her content and the subjects, gossip and the people she is discussing and commenting on, are hopelessly dated. 

BET that previously used to ran episodes of seasons of Wendy Williams first on the exact same date as they are broadcast in the United States on DStv, and then a few days later, hasn't said why it is now showing episodes of the 12th season of The Wendy Williams Show a full month after the original broadcast date on DStv.

Tuesday's debut episode of the 12th season of The Wendy Williams Show on BET was broadcast on 21 September 2020 in America already, with very little that's left that's relevant in it.

Wendy Williams for instance talking about NeNe Leakes leaving The Real Housewives Of franchise, now awkwardly comes across as out of touch with the watching of episodes that feels like a waste of time since topics and stories have moved on so quickly and so long ago already.

In other changes because of the Covid-19 pandemic the Just Wendy/Perler Productions show, distributed by Debmar-Mercury, has ditched the in-studio audience that Wendy called "my co-host" in favour of production crew members.

Crew, now with masks on and adhering to social distancing, are now sitting and clapping on a few of the purple chairs.

Also mysteriously gone without explanation is DJ Booth from the show's DJ booth, replaced by DJ Suss One.

With DJ Booth and Wendy Williams who have unfollowed each other on social media, it has led to rife speculation over the past month that he might have left because of the talk show's toxic work environment, or a personal fight with Wendy, or because of drama between Wendy and Nicki Minaj since he worked closely with the rapper.  

Naomi Campbell invited Wendy Williams to Africa for Madiba's birthday in July 2019 - but she said no because she can't just leave.

The supermodel Naomi Campbell invited the American talk show host Wendy Williams to "Africa" for the celebration of Nelson Mandela's birthday in July but Wendy says she said no because she can't just leave.

Wendy Williams returned to her weekday talk show on The Wendy Williams Show on BET (DStv 129) after a 5-week holiday and revealed on Wednesday that Naomi Campbell had phoned her, inviting her to "Africa".

"Wendy dahr-ling, I want you to come to Africa. You must come to celebrate," Wendy told her studio audience, mimicking the call.

"So Nelson Mandela's birthday is coming up on 18 July, which also happens to be the same birthday as somebody that you care for," said Wendy, meaning herself.

"So there's this big giant celebration for him in [South] Africa, and she said 'dahr-ling, come; first class, me, you André' [former Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley]".

"So, anyway, I'm not going to Africa, I haven't heard from Naomi. I think it was like a happenstance, like she was just ebullient and she called me. Naomi, I'm not coming to Africa. You haven't notified me. And I can't just skip the country on a happenstance," said Wendy.

"You know, I've got a family and a life here in New York and a live show every day. I can't just jump up and get down. Although ... that would be fabulous.

Naomi Campbell who has been called Madiba's "honourary granddaughter" last visited South Africa during April this year when she jetted to Cape Town for a luxury conference.

Wendy Williams' husband Kevin Hunter fired as executive producer of The Wendy Williams Show seen on BET.

Kevin Hunter, the husband of Wendy Williams has been fired as executive producer of The Wendy Williams Show, seen on Viacom Africa's BET (DStv 129) channel.

It comes after Wendy Williams announced that she is filing from divorce from Kevin Hunter who she has been married to for 20 years. Kevin Hunter has served as Wendy Williams' manager and an executive producer on her show.

Meanwhile The Daily Mail reports that Kevin Hunter has been given 48 hours to get out of the house, while the expensive, brand-new gold Ferrari Portofino that he bought for his mistress has been repossessed and towed away.

Wendy Williams returned to host her show on 4 March last month after taking extended time off.

She had been living in a sober house to deal with alcoholism as she struggled to regain control of her life and talk show while her personal life continued to spiral out of control, plagued by rumours about her failing health and crumbling marriage.

Wendy Williams started her latest struggle with addiction after her right shoulder injury in December when she said she fell and took an extended break from her show.

Wendy Williams relapsed and got drunk after Sharina Hudson, who has been having an extra-marital affair with Kevin Hunter, gave birth in Philadelphia last month to their child.

When she returned to her show Wendy Williams told viewers "I'm still very much in love with my husband and anyone who's been married. Marriages have ebbs and flows, marriage isn't easy. And don't ask me about mine until you see this gone. And it ain't going anywhere, not in this lifetime."

Now she has filed for divorce citing in court documents "irreconcilable differences between the parties which have caused the breakdown of the marriage for a period of six months," and that there is "no reasonable prospect of reconciliation."

Kevin Hunter has now also been fired as executive producer and been locked out of the show's production office with passcodes changed, according to Entertainment Tonight.

It's not yet clear whether he would be continuing in his role as Wendy Williams' manager, although multiple sources have told American media outlets that he will soon be fired from this role as well.

"Kevin Hunter is no longer an executive producer on The Wendy Williams Show," Debmar-Mercury wishes him well in his future endeavours," Debmar-Mercury that produces the weekday talk show, confirmed on Thursday in a statement.

Kevin Hunter in a statement said "I am not proud of my recent actions and take full accountability and apologize to my wife, my family and her amazing fans. I am going through a time of self-reflection and am trying to right some wrongs."

Wendy Williams set to return to The Wendy Williams Show seen on BET on 4 March, announces distributor and producer Debmar-Mercury.

Debmar-Mercury producing The Wendy Williams Show seen on Viacom Africa's BET (DStv 129) announced that talk show host Wendy Williams (54) will be returning after a long absence on 4 March.

"Wendy Williams is an incredible talent with the most unique voice in daytime," says Debmar-Mercury, the distributor and producer of the show, in a statement.

"We can't wait to welcome her back to her iconic purple chair on the set of her show on Monday, 4 March. We so appreciate all of the guest hosts and panellists who filled in for Wendy during this time."

"These people are, and always will be, true family to the show. And we want to thank all of the loyal and supportive fans who have been with us for 10 years now. And of course, we thank our station and business partners, who stepped up in such a supportive way."

Wendy Williams in a statement says "Salute to Debmar-Mercury for believing from the start and thanks to my staff for tirelessly holding it down for me."

The Wendy Williams Show has been making use of a variety of revolving hosts, including Nick Cannon, Sherri Shepherd, Michael Rapaport and Jerry O'Connell.

Wendy Williams fractured her shoulder in December 2018 and was supposed to be back on 14 January.

Her talk show return was then abruptly pushed out to 21 January, with the show then abruptly postponed again for a third time, saying Wendy Williams is taking an extended break to focus on her health, that will include hospitalisation.

Wendy Williams suffers from Graves' disease affecting her thyroid.

Staffers on The Wendy Williams Show has reportedly "moved on like she doesn't exist" and are furious with Wendy for not communicating about what's wrong with her and what's going on.

Staffers on The Wendy Williams Show reportedly moving on 'like she doesn't exist', Wendy and husband Kevin Hunter '100 percent not involved' in talk show changes.

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."

BREAKING. Wendy Williams hospitalised; talk return abruptly postponed for a third time as Wendy asks for privacy during an extended and this time significant absence.

Wendy Williams (54) has been hospitalised with her talk show return that has been abruptly postponed for a third time, with the American talk show host who will not be back on TV soon and who will now spend "significant time" in hospital as her health situation kept deteriorating.

Wendy Williams, always discussing and dissecting the gossipy lives of celebrities in front of her live studio audience "spilling the tea" is now asking for privacy.

After pushing out her return to the 10th season of her weekday talk show seen on Viacom Africa's BET (DStv 129) to 14 January due to "less than stellar episodes", and then again to 21 January, Wendy Williams has now been hospitalised with her comeback postponed indefinitely due to complications from her Graves' Disease in addition to dealing with a shoulder fracture she fractured in mid-December.

After the show's return was postponed from 14 to 21 January, The Wendy Williams Show returned this past week with a rotating daily panel of substitute panelists who talked about various topics similar to The View and The Talk.

In a new statement Wendy Williams now says she will be an extended absence from the show that will now go into repeat episodes from this coming Monday. Next week producers will once again scramble to find fill-in hosts who will start to present the show from 28 January for the time being.

"As Wendy Williams Hunter previously shared, she fractured her shoulder and has been on the mend. Over the past few days, Wendy has experienced complications regarding her Graves' Disease that will require treatment," Wendy Williams said in a statement.

"Wendy will be under the strict supervision of her physicians, and as part of her care, there will be significant time spent in the hospital. Despite her strong desire to return, she is taking a necessary, extended break from her show to focus on her personal and physical well-being."

"Wendy thanks everyone in advance for their well-wishes and for respecting her and The Hunter Family’s privacy during this time."

The talk show's American producer and distributor Debmar-Mercury says in a statement that "For over ten years, Wendy has been a vital part of the Debmar-Mercury family. We wholeheartedly support Wendy in this decision to take the time she needs and we will welcome her back with open arms the moment she is ready."

In December, Wendy Williams who suffers from hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease that caused her to take some medical leave in February 2018, fell and suffered a hairline fracture in her right arm, forcing her to wear a sling.

The talk show ended in 2018 on 20 December following episodes with Wendy slurring her words, looking disconnected and disinterested in interviews with celebrities like Martha Stewart, barely standing, preferring to sit during segments during the last week on air, and no longer doing her customary side-door walk-in entrance.

On the last episode of 20 December Wendy Williams wrote on Instagram that "I sincerely apologize if you feel that today's show was less than stellar. I'm on your TV screens every day wanting to spread laughter, entertainment and cheer. As I reported earlier in the week, I have a hairline fracture on my upper arm, which hurts like hell".

Wendy Williams said "I've never taken a pain medication in my life (except when I got snatched over 20 years ago) until this week. I did that to power through and try to deliver a great show for you, against the better judgement of the many people around me who genuinely care for my well-being".

"I promise you a better Wendy in 2019. I will get some much-needed rest and healing over these next couple of weeks."

TV NEWS ROUND-UP. Today's interesting TV stories to read from TVwithThinus - 15 January 2019.

Here's the latest news about TV that I read and that you should read too:

■ Brittany Noble-Jones, a former black news co-anchor of WJTV's This Morning in Mississippi alleges that she was fired after being told her natural hair was "unprofessional".
She says she was told to look more "beauty queen" and alleges that as a young black mother she experienced problems.

■ Netflix chose a new market over free speech. That sets a disturbing precedent.
Netflix bowing to Saudi Arabia's censorship demands is disappointing.

■ Two drag queens dazzle viewers on TV in Mozambique.
La Biba and La Santa delights viewers while as a national phenomenon they help fight the stigma of HIV

■ There's a reason why new flat-screen smart TVs are cheaper.
Manufacturers of TV sets are collecting and selling your data.

■ Netflix enters Hollywood's dark arts arena, desperate to secure a win for Roma as Best Picture at the Oscars.
Streaming service joins the myth peddling machine and is now an aggressive "awards player".

■ UNILAG TV channel launching on StarTimes.
The University of Lagos in Nigeria is launching its campus TV station on China's StarTimes pay-TV service on Tuesday.

■ WWE seen on SuperSport is getting elite wrestling competition in the form of All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
■ And dark clouds ahead for the WWE.

■ MultiChoice Africa ready to roll out its inaugural MultiChoice Talent Factory's Masterclasses between 17 January and 20 February.
People in the film and TV industry from across Africa will be able to attend the 2-day educational work sessions that will be held in Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique and Ethiopia to help develop technical skills in cinematography, audio and storytelling to improve the quality of local productions.

■ While the country goes to trash, a new game show, Tamba 263, is coming to Zimbabwe's ZBC.
The aim is "to test their mind's alertness and also boosts the speed of their brain's ability to react".

■ Man to report TV channel in Zambia to that country's Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) for allegedly allowing a panellist to call him a moron.

■ The Empire actor Morocco Omari seen on FOX (DStv 125 / StarSat 131 / Cell C black 201) visits Kenya to do a free actor and director workshop.


■ China's TV colonisation of Africa surges onward as StarTimes do more show-and-tell about its "1 000 Villages Satellite Project, this time in Nigeria, together with Nigeria's fawning and ever-clueless minister of information and culture, Lai Mahammad who gave the fraudulent TStv a multi-year Nigerian tax break.


■ Australia's version of South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) actually gives millions of rands in funding to make films and TV shows.
Screen Australia gives $7.5 million (Rccc) in production funding to help Australian producers to make 4 TV series, 2 films and a web series.

■ Don Lemon is the new Wendy Williams.
The CNN anchor is the sit-in for The Wendy Williams Show on BET (DStv 129) while Wendy mendy her fractured arm.

■ NBCUniversal now also working on launching a video streaming service.
NBCUniversal plans to launch it in 2020 for Comcast pay-TV subscribers in America but also for Sky subscribers in the United Kingdom (Comcast bought Sky in 2018).

■ MUST WATCH. Female California TV news reporter attacked while reporting live on Facebook.
KRCR's Meaghan Mackey still asks "This is disrespectful. Do you understand that?" before she is attacked by a man in a frightful incident.

■ John Falsey, the creator of St. Elsewhere and Northern Exposure dead at 67.
He fell in his home and died from complications from a head injury.

■ Mario Lopez set to take over Access Hollywood after a massive revamp.
And Natalie Morales is furious about the cheeseball being positioned to be "the face of entertainment news at NBC".

■ The non-TV story of the day: 12 Chinese construction workers arrested in Zambia for growing dagga.

Wendy Williams postpones her talk show return again; temporary panelists to now fill in from Monday.

Wendy Williams has postponed her return to her daytime talk show for a second time after pushing it out last week, and will now only appear on 21 January, although The Wendy Williams Show will start on Monday 14 January but with a panel of substitute presenters.

Last week Wendy Williams announced that instead of 7 January, The Wendy Williams Show, seen in South Africa and Africa on BET (DStv 129) will now only start on 14 January.

Now Wendy Williams' return has been postponed again by another week, although the show that contractually must deliver a certain number of episodes per season as well as for its current 10th season, will keep to the new 14 January 2019 date but without Wendy Williams.

Wendy Williams abruptly postponed her return date last Friday, apologising for "less than stellar episodes" before Christmas due to a shoulder injury and the pain she's been suffering.

"After fracturing her shoulder, Wendy is on the mend and wants to return pain-free and be 200%, delivering the best show that millions of viewers tune-in to watch," the show said on Saturday.

"3 days until I'm back. New year means new shows. Make sure you tune-in on Monday," said Wendy - but now her absence will be yet another week longer.

According to the distributor and producer, Debmar-Mercury, The Wendy Williams Show will be done from Monday 14 January by a panel of "Hot Talkers" instead of Wendy.

"As she has for the past 10 years, Wendy delivers an incomparable live talk show day in and day out and we want to give her the best opportunity to heal and recover," says Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein in a statement.

"Wendy has our complete and unwavering support and we look forward to her return to the iconic purple chair."

Wendy Williams abruptly postpones her 2019 talk show return after 'less than stellar' Wendy Williams Show episodes and suffering pain from shoulder fracture.

The return of The Wendy Williams Show has been postponed with talk show host Wendy Williams announcing on Saturday that she won't be back on Monday 7 January but will instead return only a week later than planned on Monday 14 January due to "less than stellar" episodes before Christmas due to a shoulder injury and the pain she's been suffering.

"Wendy Williams will be returning with all-new episodes of The Wendy Williams Show on Monday 14 January 2019," Wendy Williams said in a post on her Instagram social media account on Saturday.

"After fracturing her shoulder, Wendy is on the mend and wants to return pain-free and be 200%, delivering the best show that millions of viewers tune-in to watch."

The decision was made late-Friday or Saturday, since a day earlier, on Friday 4 January in a now-deleted Instagram post, Wendy Williams still said "3 days until I'm back. New year means new shows. Make sure you tune-in on Monday."

In December, Wendy Williams who suffers from hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease that caused her to take some medical leave in February 2018, fell and suffered a hairline fracture in her right arm, forcing her to wear a sling.

The Wendy Williams Show is seen in South Africa and across Africa on BET (DStv 129) run by Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa).

The talk show ended in 2018 on 20 December following episodes with Wendy slurring her words, looking disconnected and disinterested in interviews with celebrities like Martha Stewart, barely standing, preferring to sit during segments during the last week on air, and no longer doing her customary side-door walk-in entrance.

On the last episode of 20 December Wendy Williams wrote on Instagram that "I sincerely apologize if you feel that today's show was less than stellar. I'm on your TV screens every day wanting to spread laughter, entertainment and cheer. As I reported earlier in the week, I have a hairline fracture on my upper arm, which hurts like hell".

Wendy Williams said "I've never taken a pain medication in my life (except when I got snatched over 20 years ago) until this week. I did that to power through and try to deliver a great show for you, against the better judgement of the many people around me who genuinely care for my well-being".

"I promise you a better Wendy in 2019. I will get some much-needed rest and healing over these next couple of weeks."