Wendy Williams Show Fans Disappointed With 'Terrible' Finale Tribute: 'What a Joke'

After 14 seasons on the air, The Wendy Williams Show aired its final episode on Friday, featuring a seven-minute tribute to host Wendy Williams, who has been absent all season due to ongoing health struggles.

Sherri Shepherd, who served as guest-host during the show's final week, opened Friday's episode with some kind words for Williams. She thanked the team working on the show and their fans, before adding, "Most of all, we have to thank you, Wendy Williams. There is nobody like Wendy Williams."

"From her days on the radio to ruling daytime talk for 13 seasons, Wendy earned her title as the queen of all media. If you think about it, Wendy Williams changed daytime talk... And I want to say Ms. Wendy, you are an icon, and you are loved by so many."

After nearly 14 years, "The Wendy Williams Show" aired its final episode today — without Williams in attendance.

Guest host Sherri Shepherd gave Williams a touching tribute at the top of the show: "Miss Wendy, you are an icon and you are loved by so many." pic.twitter.com/DTECXJGTHo

— The Recount (@therecount) June 17, 2022

Many fans on Twitter, though, were disappointed by the tribute, calling it "terrible," and a "joke" with "no warmth." Viewers also said they were expecting the whole episode to pay tribute to Williams, with one Tweeting, "This entire show should’ve been a tribute to Wendy. Period. This is terrible."

This entire show should’ve been a tribute to Wendy. Period. This is terrible. #WendyWilliams @WendyWilliams

— Rᴏᴅɴᴇʏ (@_SimplyDeep) June 17, 2022

7 min? What a joke, the WHOLE show should have been a tribute.

— stacy rieger (@jerryluvsme) June 17, 2022

Ummmm who produced this last Wendy Williams show? Entire hour should’ve been iconic interviews by Queen Wendy & a special tribute to her! #WendyWilliamsShow

— MsChewzy (@mschewzy) June 17, 2022

They phoned it in for the finale.
There was no warmth in the "tribute"

It was just them smashing together show promos from past seasons.

Fans on YouTube have put together better compilations over the years.

— Jeremy Bradley (@JeremyDBradley) June 17, 2022

I stand corrected: The tribute was 7 minutes 10 seconds, not 6 minutes as I predicted. #WENDY #WendyWilliams #WendyWilliamsshow @WendyWilliams pic.twitter.com/gARnhkVxOR

— Jeremy Bradley (@JeremyDBradley) June 17, 2022

Even former The View co-host Meghan McCain weighed in on The Wendy Williams Show finale, tweeting, "Wendy Williams deserves better."

Williams has been struggling with Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism, further complicated by a case of breakthrough COVID-19 in October, making her unable to host her show this season.

In the fall, Shepherd will be taking over Williams' time slot with her new show, Sherri.

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Deena ElGenaidi's writing has been featured in Nylon, MTV News, Insider, The AV Club, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @deenaelg.