The documentary follows Wendy Williams after the cancellation of her talk show. The series additionally explores Williams suffering mental and physical issues, erratic behavior and declining health, issues with alcohol as well as being placed under a guardianship.[1]
The documentary series was initially pitched to Lifetime as a documentary following Williams launching a podcast, but as production began, the story changed. Nothing was filmed without permission from Williams or her manager.[4] Williams granted the filmmakers unparalleled access into her life, following the cancellation of The Wendy Williams Show, documenting her life from August 2022 to April 2023, when production stopped due to Williams' health.[5][6][7] Producers attempted to speak with Williams' guardian, Sabrina Morrissey; however, she declined to speak with them.[8]
Lawsuit
On February 23, 2024, Williams' guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, filed a lawsuit against Lifetime's parent company A&E Networks to prevent its release.[9] That same day, the court ruled the documentary could air as planned.[10][11]
Reception
Critical reception
Joel Keller of Decider stated the series was "hard to watch", writing: "If you are at all interested in what’s been going on in her life in the last few years, or have been following the confusing drama around her care, this is a must watch".[12]
Aramide Tinubu of Variety criticized the series as "unsettling and exploitative", writing: "One thing has never been more certain: the cameras should have stopped rolling in Williams’ life the moment she left her show's set for the last time".[13]