Wendy Williams Show staff demand producers permanently replace her with Nick Cannon as they accuse her of not being ‘authentic’
Article via DailyMail
- Staff on The Wendy Williams Show are demanding producers replace the star with stand-in host Nick Cannon or Jerry O’Connell
- The 54-year-old TV host did not return to set after the holiday hiatus due to alleged health problems stemming from her Graves’ Disease
- But employees have accused Williams of not being ‘authentic’ with fans or staff and claim she actually took time off to deal with her ‘cheating’ husband Kevin
- ‘It’s time Debmar stepped up, said goodbye to Wendy and Kevin and hired Nick to take over, a source told DailyMail.com, adding: ‘We all want Nick to replace Wendy’
Staff at the Wendy Williams Show are calling on producers to permanently replace the star with stand-in host Nick Cannon claiming she has not been ‘authentic’ with her fans or her employees, DailyMail.com can reveal.
Cannon, 38, is among the rotating cast of temporary hosts filling in for Williams, who did not return to set after the show’s holiday hiatus due to alleged health problems.
Her extended break, however, has sparked outrage among longtime employees who say they were left ‘in the dark’ about her absence and now claim she actually took time off to deal with her ‘cheating’ husband Kevin.
One told DailyMail.com: ‘I mean it’s probably time Wendy steps away from the show. She’s not authentic anymore. How can she discuss hot topics when the biggest topic involves her husband publicly cheating on her for years?’
‘It’s really sad as you’d think that Wendy would have more respect for herself and she would stand up, dump her cheating husband, take control of her business and empower women who are going through the same thing,’ the source added.
This is her chance to be a role model, but she’s letting women everywhere down by not being the boss that she pretends to be on her show.’
‘Think about it – Oprah or Ellen never treated their audience and staff like this on their shows. So it’s time Debmar stepped up, said goodbye to Wendy and Kevin and hired Nick to take over. However, if he says no, we’d happily take Jerry O’Connell who is also a joy to work with,’ the source added.
In 2017, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Williams’s husband Kevin Hunter was having a decade-long affair with masseuse Sharina Hudson, who was wearing a massive diamond ring on her ring finger.
Although Williams initially said she was standing by her man, more reports over their marriage troubles have emerged, with the National Enquirer reporting last month that Williams was a victim of domestic violence.
Last week, the New Jersey-based host was seen in Florida, where her parents live, sparking speculation she retreated to the Sunshine State to spend time with her family while figuring out if she should divorce Hunter.
The insider told DailyMail.com: ‘With Wendy there is always drama, especially when Kevin is around. Now that they are away everyone feels they can breathe and do their best work,’ the source added.
‘We all want Nick to replace Wendy. He has been an absolute dream. Everyone on the team adores him and he’s such a professional.
‘Debmar needs to sign him up and make him the new host. He’s gracious and kind and he’s really fun to be around. We have a chance of surviving if he stays on as host.’
‘He’s also open about his life. He talks about everything. I suppose you can be when you’re not in denial about your life like Wendy.’
‘A few of us have a theory that the glue from her weave has seeped into her brain and she can no longer think rationally,’ the source added.
‘Nick can save the show. Women love him, Wendy’s fans love him and he’s really low maintenance.’
‘He also has ideas about how he can make each segment better and elevate what we’re doing. He’s not checked out like Wendy.’
Staffers had also branded Williams as ‘selfish’ and ‘hypocritical’ for calling Cannon during her absence but refusing to speak to her employees.
Cannon told her audience on Monday that he spoke to Williams, and her husband Kevin Hunter, and said shewas doing ‘amazing’ and praised her ‘family unit’.
Another staffer said: ‘For her to be talking about her ”family unit” to Nick, it’s an absolute joke. That ain’t no normal family unit.’
Meanwhile executives at Debmar-Mercury, the company that produces The Wendy Williams Show, have already been on pins and needles about Williams’ alleged health challenges.
Currently, her show is the only talk show the company has on TV right now and Debmar doesn’t have a backup plan in case they need to pull the plug on her series.
A source at the TV network told DailyMail.com the show fill-ins are being used as on-air auditions of sorts, with the network already having its eye on possibly developing one or more replacement show with several of the stand-in guest hosts.
Among those Debmar is looking at as replacement options, include actor Jerry O’Connell, who filled in for Williams in March 2018 when her health challenges caused her to take three weeks off.
Nick Cannon, KeKe Palmer, Michael Rapaport and Jason Biggs have also been announced as guest co-hosts throughout the month of February; but apparently Debmar is also looking at former The View co-host Sherri Shepherd as a possible replacement option as well.
The network source said: ‘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.’
A source at the The Wendy Williams Show added: ‘We’re worried, we have bills to pay – who says she is ever coming back. The last thing any of us want is for the show to be cancelled.
‘Just remember – the show is called Wendy. So it needs Wendy Williams back – but when she comes back, she better not bring Kevin back with her because we’ve all had enough of him.’