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Despite being told multiple times, Wendy Williams was completely unaware of her talk show's cancellation, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter.
During a recent interview with the outlet, Ira Bernstein and Mort Marcus, co-presidents of production distributor Debmar-Mercury, discussed the final days of "The Wendy Williams Show" and revealed the long-time host repeatedly had to be reminded that the series was ending.
Bernstein and Marcus said they went back and forth with Williams during the months of her hiatus from the show's 13th season.
According to the show execs, she was told multiple times that the show would be canceled if her health remained a concern.
“I said, ‘We haven’t heard from you, and we had to make a decision.’ We should have made one in November, but we pushed it to January or February, and by then, it was like, ‘Make a decision or lose the time period,'” Bernstein recalled to The Hollywood Reporter.
The producer noted that Williams seemed to be confused about the show's cancellation following season 13 being hosted by a revolving door of television personalities, including Sherri Shepherd, who eventually took over the vacant time slot.
"She said, 'Well, what's going to air at 10 o'clock?' I told her, 'Sherri's going to air at 10 o'clock.' 'So, can I go on at 11?' I said, 'We'd love to work with you, and there are lots of ways and lots of buyers, but you need to come back, and we need to know that you're OK," Bernstein said. "You can't just call after nine months and say, 'I'm ready.'"
According to reports, "a version of this conversation would take place several more times over the next four months."
"Each time, according to the pair, Williams appeared to be having the discussion for the first time," the outlet cited.
The communication between production and Williams allegedly occurred as the acclaimed talk show host was battling illnesses including Graves' disease and lymphedema.
Williams' spokeswoman, Shawn Zanotti, issued the following written statement to the Hollywood Reporter regarding the report.
"It has been no secret that Wendy has battled with addiction over the years but at this time Wendy is on the road to recovery and healing herself from her chronic illnesses and her grievances of the past. What we do know is that Wendy has a history of chronic illness that she has publicly spoken about."
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