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Blackvoices.com has learned that 'The Wendy Williams Show' has been picked up for a full run next year, following its successful six-week preview that brought the bawdy radio shock jock to viewers across the country in markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Detroit since July 14.
The Fox Television Stations group will officially launch the show for a mid-2009 start, a rep confirmed today.
Through Aug. 13, the program had posted rating increases in key demographics versus the May sweeps, including every key demo in New York and Los Angeles.
Big win for Williams, a 'New York Times' best-selling author who, for the past fifteen years, has virtually transformed New York City's urban radio scene with her brash brew of commentary and signature style of gossip.
"Everything about the Wendy preview clicked for our stations, from conception to promotion to hitting the air, Fox senior vice president of programming Frank Cicha said. "It completely broke the mold. The show is now a proven winner, and we can't wait to see it debut across the country next year."
Williams, herself, seemed to wonder about the fate of the show being picked up – even frequently expressing it during the live broadcast and on her syndicated afternoon radio show, 'The Wendy Williams Experience.'
With today's announcement, the 44-year-old Oceans Township, New Jersey native is head over heels.
"Doing the daily show for the past six weeks has really been one of the most exciting times in my life," she said "It has given me the chance to be myself while living out my dream and connecting with my fans on a whole new level."
"I am incredibly excited about coming back next year," she added, describing the show – which featured celebrity guests such as Vanessa Williams, Rev. Run, Nas, Kim Kardashian, Daisy Fuentes, Fonzworth Bentley, Ray-J, Omarosa Manigult-Stalworth, Coolio, Michelle Williams, Carson Kressley, and Margaret Cho – as "a true phenomenon this summer."
The Fox Television Stations is one of the nation's largest owned-and-operated network broadcast groups, comprising 27 stations in 18 markets and covering nearly 37.34% of television homes in the U.S. This includes top 10 markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C. and Houston, as well as Minneapolis, Phoenix and Orlando.
2008 BET Awards
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Humanitarian Award Recipient Quincy Jones poses in the press room at the 2008 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Rapper Nelly poses in the press room at the 2008 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Singer Anthony Hamilton poses in the press room at the 2008 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Singer Ashanti poses in the press room at the 2008 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Rapper Nelly (L) and singer Ashanti pose in the press room at the 2008 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Rapper Nelly (L) and singer Ashanti pose in the press room at the 2008 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Rapper Nelly (L) and singer Ashanti poses in the press room at the 2008 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Singer Ashanti poses in the press room at the 2008 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Singer Ashanti poses in the press room at the 2008 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Singer Ashanti poses in the press room at the 2008 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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Comments: (188)
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By: glenda on 8/20/2008 12:30PM
it would be better if she spends less time playing with her hair and posing.
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By: Jennie Edwards on 8/20/2008 1:20PM
Trash,Trash, Trash, that what that show is take it off fast.
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By: Nayou on 8/20/2008 1:28PM
Wendy Williams Show is a good show. I am glad that it was picked up and will be on next year. This show is differant than most shows on the talk show circut. If everyone looked and acted like a supermodel then there would not be a difference in one another. God made each of us different, why don't people accept that. Congrats Wendy
I say this to all of the haters of this show don't watch it. Go and watch "Who's my baby's daddy" over and over again. Now that is a show that is degrading to our people, all people.
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By: Gina on 8/20/2008 1:30PM
All I can say is "Wendy; you do girl!!!" I am so happy for you. Sisters doing for ourselves. You are living prove that education, hard work and determination also a touch of God's Favor can make dreams come true. Healh, wealth, peace, love, happiness and all the very best to you, your family and loved ones. You go girl! How YOU doing?!
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By: Aesha Lynch on 8/20/2008 1:56PM
I live in Pennsylvania and I am unable to view the Wendy Williams show. Please let me know how I can view her show.
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By: Howard Brown on 8/20/2008 2:24PM
wendy the drag queen,(I hope the drag queens will forgive me), strikes once again, she looks more and more like a stripper everyday. who cares that she was picked up again? she's still a gutter snipe.
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By: ebonieladi on 8/20/2008 2:39PM
The Reason I Support This Show Is Because It Will Give A Platform For A Lot Of Personalities We Would Like To See To Promote Themselves. Ever Since Arsenio Went Off The Air, We Really Haven't Had A Show To See The People We Would Like To See. You Can Bet Your Life That You Won't See These People On Those Other Shows. They Could Care Less About What We Are Interested In Or What We Would Like To See. I Say Hurray For Wendy!!
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By: Starlet on 8/20/2008 2:39PM
Congrats to Wendy!! i agree w/ those that said we need more black female talk show hosts. and to all the rest that don't like her, don't watch it. she's still getting paid and gaining more fans with or without you
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By: BAILEY on 8/20/2008 2:45PM
Hey Marian(1st comment)..."She's crass and rude, and she looks and acts like a man." HI HATER! WE ALL GET RECOGNIZED BY SOMEONE ANYWHERE WE GO. I HOPE THIS IS NOT HOW WE WILL ALWAYS RECOGNIZE YOU! GO WENDY, GO WENDY, GO WENDY, IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY! BYE HATERS!
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By: kellie on 8/20/2008 3:08PM
At least she is articulate and speaks very well, she also photographs well.
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