After dementia reveal, producers of Wendy Williams documentary hope viewers see why they made it

By ALICIA RANCILIO
Associated Press

The executive producers behind Lifetime’s Wendy Williams documentary say they, too, were unnerved by some of what they saw while filming the former talk show host. But in an interview with The Associated Press, the producers say that while they were concerned about Williams’ health and her behavior, they didn’t realize she had dementia. Soon after they say they learned of her diagnosis in April 2023, they stopped filming. “Where is Wendy Williams?”, a two-part docuseries, aired Saturday and Sunday on Lifetime. Some criticized it for being exploitative, with scenes of Williams appearing unsteady, belligerent and drunk at times. The producers defend the show, saying what aired is honest and unfiltered, like Williams herself.