The TV personality announces on Instagram that while she 'values her co-hosts and their daily participation,' her talk show will not have studio audience until 'the time is right.'
- Mar 11, 2020
AceShowbiz - Wendy Williams is not taking any risk amid the growing spread of coronavirus. On Tuesday, March 10, the TV host/personality came out with an announcement that her syndicated talk show, "The Wendy Williams Show", will be filmed without live studio audience for an undetermined period of time.
A released statement from the 55-year-old's show read, "Wendy values her co-hosts and their daily participation but in light of the current health climate, 'The Wendy Williams Show' will not have a live studio audience until further notice." It further noted, "We will continue to produce a daily live talk show and look forward to welcoming the studio audience back when the time is right."
Williams' show was not the only one taking precaution by banning audience from the live taping. A number of ABC's shows, such as "Live With Kelly and Ryan", "The View" and "Good Morning America", have reportedly made similar decision to film episodes in an empty studio.
On Tuesday night, March 10, ABC issued a statement to Page Six regarding the matter. "Given the current developing situation in New York City, we have made the decision to suspend live audiences from attending our news broadcasts and talk shows," the statement read.
In addition, the network was reported to forbid its star hosts, including Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan, from getting physical contact with the public. Page Six claimed that they were told not to take selfies with the crowd.
The drastic measure taken by Williams and ABC came after "Dr. Phil", which is hosted by Dr. Phillip C. McGraw, announced it would be filmed without audiences. "The health of our audience members, staff and crew are the priority," explained executive producer Carla Pennington as quoted by Deadline.
The publication further noted that "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" have also suspended audiences from their episodes taping.
