Roy Rochlin/WireImage
The Wendy Williams Showformer co-executive producerSuzanne Basshas a somber outlook onWendy Williams' ability to return to television.
After the former talk show host’s medical team announced she wasdiagnosedwith her primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia on Thursday, Bass tells PEOPLE that it seems unlikely that Williams will be able to be back on the small screen.
Most of all, she says, “I’m more sad about her health, not that she can’t make a comeback. To have this sort of diagnosis, there’s some finality to it.”
Bass recallsthe possible early signsof Williams’ struggles when she worked on her talk show, which ran for 13 seasons from 2008 to 2022.
“You can go back and see the show, and there’s really long periods of quietness where she’s not speaking,” she says. “And you’re thinking ‘What’s happening? There were early signs [of something wrong] where you’re grasping for words, having a hard time collecting your thoughts and remembering things. Maybe that’s what was happening back then.’”
Wendy Williams on “The Wendy Williams Show”.Fox
Fox
Bass says she has only spoken with Williams a few times since the television personality’s exit from the talk show in 2022. After Williams struggled to “remember things” during their calls, Bass couldn’t help but think of her own mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
“The last few times I spoke with Wendy, I remember thinking that she reminded me of my mom," she shares.
“My mom has Alzheimer’s," she explains. “Dementia is a form of it in her case. I just remember calling my brother and saying, ‘Oh my God. I just talked to Wendy. She reminds me of Mom.’”
On Thursday, Williams’ medical team announced her primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia diagnosis in a press release. The two conditions are the same variations thatBruce Willishas previously been diagnosed with.
“Wendy is still able to do many things for herself,” the team said in a statement. “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.”
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Where Is Wendy Williams?premieres Saturday at 8 p.m. and concludes at the same time the next day on Lifetime.
source: people.com
