‘Sherri’ gets premiere date

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Debmar-Mercury’s new syndicated talk show with Sherri Shepard has set Sept. 12, 2022, as its premiere date.

In many markets, including Fox-owned stations, “Sherri” is taking the place of “The Wendy Williams Show,” which ended its 13-year run in June 2022, after a series of health issues sidelined its host for the entire season.

Meanwhile, “Sherri” has now been cleared in over 97% of the U.S. Outside of Fox stations, Cox, Hearst, Sinclair and Nexstar are among the other prominent station groups that have signed on.

“Sept. 12 can’t get here fast enough. Hosting my own talk show is a dream come true and I’m so excited to take viewers on this joyous journey. My new show will be something truly fun and fresh, a daily hour of entertainment escapism with plenty of laughter, fun and flirtiness as I give my take on pop culture. And I’m so glad to have such an awesome senior production team helping to make this magic a reality,” Shepard said in a statement.

David Perler, who helmed “Wendy,” will move over to “Sherri” as showrunner. He’ll executive produce along with Shepard and Jawn Murray, her  producing partner.

Suzanne Bass and Joelle Dawson, holdovers from “Wendy” will be co-executive producers along with newcomer Fernita Wynn.

Bass is well-known to viewers, frequently appearing on camera from the edge of the set offering her thoughts on hot topics of the day and helping with on-air contests.

Norman Baker, supervising producer on “Wendy,” is also moving over. He too is a fan-favorite, appearing on-camera from his perch at the edge of the set. He would frequently contribute to conversations and also remind Williams of facts.

“Sherri” is premiering at a time of changes in the daytime talk show world.

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” ended after 19 years and will be replaced by the existing “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” which will start its fourth season in the fall. “Maury” ended its run as well and former “Queer Eye” host Karamo Brown is set to launch a replacement Sept. 19, 2022.

“The Good Dish,” the replacement for “Dr. Oz,” won’t be returning for a second season and “The Jennifer Hudson Show” is slated to start Sept. 12 as well. It’s been picked up by Fox-owned stations in major markets.

NBC-owned stations, meanwhile, have a hole in their schedule since “Ellen” is gone and it moved “Clarkson” over to replace her — but has yet to announce what will fill a vacant hour in their schedules.

Although not a talk show, another fixture of daytime TV, particularly in central time zone markets, syndicated talk show “Jeopardy!” will launch a new season but has yet to name a permanent host.