The company that produced Wendy Williams' documentary is fighting back after they were sued by the person who is taking care of the ailing television host.
- Mar 26, 2024
AceShowbiz - A&E Television Networks has filed a legal defense against Wendy Williams' temporary guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, arguing that Morrissey attempted to block the airing of the documentary "Where Is Wendy Williams?" to silence unfavorable criticism.
In unsealed court documents, A&E attorney Rachel Strom alleges that Morrissey only sought to prevent the documentary's release after seeing the trailer, which depicted her role in Williams' guardianship in a negative light.
"Only after seeing the documentary's trailer and realizing her role in Ms. (Williams') life may be criticized did Ms. Morrissey enlist the courts to unconstitutionally silence that criticism," the filing states.
Morrissey had filed a lawsuit against A&E in February, seeking a restraining order to stop the Lifetime documentary, claiming that Williams was not capable of consenting to the terms of the contract.
However, A&E argued that Morrissey had taken no measures to prevent the documentary's release until seeing the trailer, which "demonstrates that her purpose in seeking this prior restraint is simply to shut down public expression that she does not like."
The network also stated that if Morrissey had been concerned about Williams being filmed, she had "months and months" to intervene but did not do so.
The documentary, which aired on February 24 and 25, depicted Williams' struggles with health and addiction. Williams was placed under financial guardianship in 2022 after allegations of financial exploitation.
Throughout the documentary, Williams' family criticized the guardianship system, arguing that Morrissey was not taking good care of her and that a family member should serve in that role instead.
A&E countered Morrissey's claims by pointing out that she had issued a press release detailing Williams' medical condition, suggesting that she was not concerned about the information becoming public.
The network also argued that Williams had signed a talent agreement for the documentary and was paid a "substantial sum" for her participation.
The documentary has raised public awareness about conservatorship issues and has sparked discussions about the ethical considerations surrounding the filming of individuals with cognitive impairments.
