THE Wendy Williams show will be bringing back Michael Rapaport as guest host as the TV star continues to delay her return amid health woes.
The 57-year-old has yet to sit in her famous purple chair this season as numerous stars have stepped up in her place.
The Celeb Report has learned that the actor, 51, will be back hosting the popular daytime talk show starting on January 31 and into the first week of February.
Michael had guest hosted earlier this month but his time was cut short after he tested positive for Covid.
He said at the time: “I have to pull out of doing The Wendy Williams Show the rest of the week because unfortunately, I got [the] damn coronavirus, which I’m disappointed about.
“I’m really, really disappointed for many, many, many reasons. Obviously, I’m fine and I’ll be all right.”
He also hosted in November, however, fans weren’t exactly about it as they slammed Michael as “nonsense.”
The Atypical star is just one of many who have filled in for the former Radio personality as other names have included Leah Remini, Sherri Shepherd, and Michelle Visage.
And while fans had hoped Wendy would return and grace the stage soon, it may not be in the cards for the near future as she continues to have difficulties.
A source close to the talk show recently told The Celeb Report: “The spark is gone. That Wendy, who for ten years had that spark in her eyes, that cheeky grin and that little wink is not the same now.”
The insider continued: “She’s not always functioning like she used to be. She has days where she needs help eating, getting out of bed and getting dressed.
“Sometimes she goes out in a robe and without shoes on- the old Wendy would never have allowed herself to be seen out like that.”
The source also revealed Wendy doesn’t always recognize people whom she’s known for years.
“There are people who Wendy knows- who have worked closely with her- and there are days that she has no idea who they are.”
A second insider close to Wendy’s family told The Celeb Report that fans shouldn’t expect a video address from the host, at least for now.
WHERE’S WENDY?
Wendy has been away from her own show since the start of the season in September.
The Celeb Report was first to report that Wendy had been transported to a New York hospital in September of 2021 following a 911 call for a person in need of psychiatric services.
Soon after, Wendy quietly hired a crisis public relations manager.
Meanwhile, The Wendy Williams Show has released various statements during her absence, blaming her time away from her show and any promotional duties on a breakthrough COVID case, “ongoing medical issues,” and symptoms from Graves’ disease.
Back in November, the show’s Instagram also released a statement from the famous host saying she was still coping with health issues, and as a “woman of a certain age” she knew to listen to her doctors and that “right now, Wendy has to focus on Wendy.”
It was the only statement that purportedly came from Wendy since the start of the season.
In 13 seasons, this is the longest Wendy has been off the air, and she has yet to address fans in any real way since the show went on summer break on July 12, 2021.
‘GARBAGE WITHOUT HER’
While fans have their own opinions about the program without Wendy, her own brother, Tommy Williams, has also shared his.
He said on Facebook: “I think the show is garbage without her… trying to be as respectful as possible.”
Tommy added: “It’s no dig at the people who are there, they’re just not Wendy and I’ve grown accustomed to seeing Wendy operate that show and handle it in such a way that was just patented by her.”
