Michael Rapaportbegan his weeklongguest-hosting stint atThe Wendy Williams Showwith a message forWendy Williams.Rapaport, 51, ishosting the daily syndicated talk show this weekwhile Williams, 57, continues to focus onher health.“I’m so glad to be here, I am so excited to be here,” he told the audience Monday. “Wendy, thank you so much for trusting me with your show. We miss you. We cannot wait to have you back.“After Rapaport, an all-new hot talk panel will lead the show on Nov. 15. Then, actor and comedianBill Bellamywill take the reins on Nov. 16 and 17, andJerry SpringerandSteve Wilkoswill co-host on Nov. 18 and 19.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Previous guest hosts included Devyn Simone, Bevy Smith, Elizabeth Wagmeister and Michael Yo, who kicked off season 13 as a panel.Leah Reminithen hosted for the rest of the premiere week last month, andWhitney CummingsandSherri Shepherdtook on the subsequent weeks.Getty (2)“It is completely surreal to be here. I just want to say thank you to Wendy for letting me guest host. What an honor,” Cummings, 39, saidduring her first dayas host.“Nobody could ever replace you,” she continued. “We all miss you, we wish you well, we cannot wait to see you back in your purple chair very, very soon. So we miss you and we love you.“The premiere for the current season ofTheWendy WilliamsShowwas originally set for Sept. 20, but was pushed to Oct. 4 after Williamstested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19amid otherhealth issues.Wendy Williams.Michael Tran/FilmMagicIt waspushed back for a second timeto Oct. 18, with the show announcing in late September that Williams had recovered from COVID but was still dealing with additional health issues. In a later statement revealing the plan to implementguest hosts, the show gave an update on her condition.“Wendy continues to be under medical supervision and meets with her medical team on a daily basis. She is making progress but is experiencing serious complications as a direct result of Graves' Disease and her thyroid condition,” the October statement read. “It has been determined that more time is needed before she is able to return to her live hosting duties.““Wendy is a valued and stalwart member of the Debmar-Mercury family and has been so for 12 years. We want her health to be her top priority. As soon as she’s ready, she will be back in her treasured purple chair. We very much appreciate the respect for Wendy’s privacy, as well as all the good wishes from her fans, station partners and advertisers.“Williams has long dealt with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease that results in an overactive thyroid gland. Shewas diagnosedwith the immune system disorder over two decades ago, she previously told PEOPLE, and took anextended hiatus from her showin May 2020 due to the condition.TheWendy WilliamsShowairs weekdays (check local listings).
Michael Rapaportbegan his weeklongguest-hosting stint atThe Wendy Williams Showwith a message forWendy Williams.
Rapaport, 51, ishosting the daily syndicated talk show this weekwhile Williams, 57, continues to focus onher health.
“I’m so glad to be here, I am so excited to be here,” he told the audience Monday. “Wendy, thank you so much for trusting me with your show. We miss you. We cannot wait to have you back.”
After Rapaport, an all-new hot talk panel will lead the show on Nov. 15. Then, actor and comedianBill Bellamywill take the reins on Nov. 16 and 17, andJerry SpringerandSteve Wilkoswill co-host on Nov. 18 and 19.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Previous guest hosts included Devyn Simone, Bevy Smith, Elizabeth Wagmeister and Michael Yo, who kicked off season 13 as a panel.Leah Reminithen hosted for the rest of the premiere week last month, andWhitney CummingsandSherri Shepherdtook on the subsequent weeks.
Getty (2)
“It is completely surreal to be here. I just want to say thank you to Wendy for letting me guest host. What an honor,” Cummings, 39, saidduring her first dayas host.
“Nobody could ever replace you,” she continued. “We all miss you, we wish you well, we cannot wait to see you back in your purple chair very, very soon. So we miss you and we love you.”
The premiere for the current season ofTheWendy WilliamsShowwas originally set for Sept. 20, but was pushed to Oct. 4 after Williamstested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19amid otherhealth issues.
Wendy Williams.Michael Tran/FilmMagic
It waspushed back for a second timeto Oct. 18, with the show announcing in late September that Williams had recovered from COVID but was still dealing with additional health issues. In a later statement revealing the plan to implementguest hosts, the show gave an update on her condition.
“Wendy continues to be under medical supervision and meets with her medical team on a daily basis. She is making progress but is experiencing serious complications as a direct result of Graves' Disease and her thyroid condition,” the October statement read. “It has been determined that more time is needed before she is able to return to her live hosting duties.”
“Wendy is a valued and stalwart member of the Debmar-Mercury family and has been so for 12 years. We want her health to be her top priority. As soon as she’s ready, she will be back in her treasured purple chair. We very much appreciate the respect for Wendy’s privacy, as well as all the good wishes from her fans, station partners and advertisers.”
Williams has long dealt with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease that results in an overactive thyroid gland. Shewas diagnosedwith the immune system disorder over two decades ago, she previously told PEOPLE, and took anextended hiatus from her showin May 2020 due to the condition.
TheWendy WilliamsShowairs weekdays (check local listings).
source: people.com
