HE’S READY TO TAKE OVER FOR TROUBLED TALKER RUTHLESS STEVE STEALING WENDY’S SHOW!
CUTTHROAT comic Steve Harvey is ready to swoop in and steal Wendy Williams’ talk show if the sickly star is forced out of FOX, insiders dished!
Wendy, 54, has been struggling with a series of mysterious health problems that have kept her off the air since December, and sources claimed network honchos are losing patience as she repeatedly delays her return. Meanwhile, cigar-chomping Steve has been fuming over NBC pulling the plug on his self-titled TV show in cities across America in favor of former “American Idol” champ — and daytime newbie — Kelly Clarkson!
While Wendy’s future at FOX hangs by a thread, sources said bigwigs have reached out to a select few presenters who they believe could take her place — including 62-year-old Steve and “Wild ’N Out” star Nick Cannon, who immediately signed on to sub as host of “The Wendy Williams Show” during her “necessary break.”
“Wendy’s fans are very particular. They didn’t take well to Don Lemon when he stepped in. He lasted just one week,” said a TV insider.
“It would take a very particular personality to step into Wendy’s shoes.
“The FOX guys see Steve as a big enough name, and word in the industry is the way he’s been treated by NBC, he feels they don’t deserve him.
“They are considering a few people who could be a ratings hit, in case Wendy needs more time to get better.” If “Little Big Shots” host Steve steps into Wendy’s 10 a.m. FOX time slot, he could find himself going headto-head against “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on NBC — which could quickly turn into a fierce ratings war between the rival networks!
“Steve is all about one thing — winning,” noted another entertainment insider.
“He’s not going to let Kelly come out of nowhere, steal his time slot and get an easy ride. “If he goes back to a show run by a big network, they will pump lots of money into it — and he thinks it will get him back on top of the TV ratings.”