Suzanne Bass says she's ‘very sad’ as it seems ‘impossible’ for Wendy Williams to make a comeback on TV

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Suzanne Bass, who worked as a co-executive producer on 'The Wendy Williams Show', has expressed her sadness over the health condition of the media personality.

Bass told People that she doubts Williams will ever return to daytime TV after being diagnosed with progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia ahead of her lifetime documentary premiere. 

Suzanne Bass reflects on Wendy Williams’ impact on TV and pop culture

Bass said that Williams’ show, which was canceled in 2022 after 13 seasons, left a "huge void" in the entertainment industry.

She said that Williams was a trailblazer who brought a unique voice and perspective to her audience.

Bass also revealed that she often hears people hoping for Williams to make a comeback, but she thinks that is "impossible" given her diagnosis which makes her "very sad."

"I’m more sad about her health, not that she can’t make a comeback. To have this sort of diagnosis, there’s some finality to it," she said.

Suzanne Bass recalls early signs of Wendy Williams’ struggle on the show

Bass, who won an Emmy Award for her work on the show, said that she noticed some signs that Williams was having trouble with her speech and memory during the show’s run.

She said that there were times when Williams would go silent for long periods or have difficulty finding words and recalling facts.

"You can go back and see the show, and there’s really long periods of quietness where she’s not speaking," Bass said.

"And you’re thinking ‘What’s happening? There were early signs [of something wrong] where you’re grasping for words, having a hard time collecting your thoughts and remembering things. Maybe that’s what was happening back then," she added.

Suzanne Bass says Wendy Williams reminds her about her mother who has Alzheimer’s

Bass said that she has only spoken to Williams a few times since the show ended and that she noticed a decline in her cognitive abilities.

She said that Williams reminded her of her mother who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia.

"The last few times I spoke with Wendy, I remember thinking that she reminded me of my mom,’ she said, adding "My mom has Alzheimer’s. Dementia is a form of it in her case."

Williams broke her silence on Friday, February 23, thanking her fans for their support and asking for privacy.

Her care team announced on Thursday, February 22, that she was diagnosed with FTD and aphasia in 2023. She is believed to have been living in a treatment facility since April 2023.