On Thursday, May 21, Sherri Shepherd signed off as host of her nationally syndicated daytime talk show, “Sherri,” after four seasons.
The program, which in fall 2022 took over the time slot previously held by “The Wendy Williams Show” in most major markets, was canceled in February as the talk show and news industries continue to shift in response to the podcast boom, both economically and in their productions.
“This decision is driven by the evolving daytime television landscape and does not reflect on the strength of the show, its production — which has found strong creative momentum this season — or the incredibly talented Sherri Shepherd,” said Ira Bernstein and Mort Marcus, co-founders and co-presidents of Debmar-Mercury, owned by Lionsgate Studios, which produced and distributed the talk show.
“We believe in this show and in Sherri and intend to explore alternatives for it on other platforms,” Bernstein and Marcus said at the time of the cancellation, though no information has since been shared on what other avenues they were pursuing since the announcement.
“Well, this is it. Um, this is the last episode of Sherri,” opened an emotional and teary-eyed Sherperd during her opening monologue on the final broadcast. “Uh, when I say, ‘Hey family,’ I don’t take it lightly because for one hour every day I really felt like everybody here and at home was my family. I did.”
“So seriously, thank you,” Shepherd continued, following several moments of applause from the in-studio audience. “Now, what am I going to do with all this time I have on my hands? I’ve been so busy, I haven’t had time to focus on the important things like stalking Lenny Kravitz,” she jokingly said, referring to her long-time fanatics over the musician. “I finally have the time to stand outside his house with my binoculars, and I can go to the gym consistently now. My booty is going to be so round. You will be calling me Sherri Thee Stallion, and I’m going to do more stand-up comedy.
“I’ll be doing shows at 7 and 10 every night at this new venue. It’s called Sherri’s Brownstone. So, poor Jeffrey is going to have to listen to the same jokes over and over. And I guess that’s okay because I still get to tell jokes because I am a comedian and that is what I love. This season, I made it a point to come out here and do standup at the top of every show. I feel good about that because nobody else in daytime is doing it. And these stand-up spots were my heart, my joy, and it was me being me.”
Giving Thanks
After playing a package highlighting her opening monologues throughout season four, Shepherd returned to the screen, thanking her team, including Norman Baker, Brittany Sims, Robin Montague and executive producer/showrunner Joelle Dawson-Calia, for their help in putting things together each and every show. “It takes a whole village to make all of those jokes, and we have fun every single day laughing at the jokes that we can come up with,” Shepherd said. “So, y’all, if you need some great writers who can do some comedy, those are the four. They are amazing.”
“So many people have championed this show from day one. People believed in me, and they supported me. They lifted me up. And even on the days when I was hot flashing, when I lost my voice, when I lost my wig, I get people coming up to me on the street in the airport at the liquor store saying, ‘Sherri, we love your show.” And not just people on the street. Huge celebrities have championed us.”
Tyler Perry’s Message For Sherri
Sheperd shared a recorded message from one of those celebrity champions, including mega producer, writer and director Tyler Perry (“Beauty in Black,” “The Diary of a Mad Black Woman”).
“Well, Sherri, after four seasons, they say all good things come to an end. But I’m going to tell you something. This is just going to keep going and going and going because what this show has represented, what it’s been, it’s been your soul, your spirit, and your light, and you brought so much joy to the world,” said Perry in a video package. “Continue to do that in your next chapter. I’m going to be following you, rooting for you, and thanking God for you. No door, no door closes without something incredible happening right after. I love you, love. Keep the light. God bless you. Stay in the good.
Rolonda Watts
Rolanda Watts Appreciation
Since the beginning, former talk show host Rolonda Watts has been the voice heard introducing Sherri each day, and Shepherd took the time to thank her for her love and support, saying, “I want to shout out the voice of the ‘Sherri’ show, Rolonda Watts. Rolanda introduces me every single day, and she is here in the audience, sitting right there, coming to support.”
Closing Out Monologue
“So, before we go to break, I need to take one more moment to say thank you. I am so grateful that I got to live out my childhood dream. And you know, if you know me, you’ve heard me talk,” shared Shepherd. “The road to get here was not easy. There were so many times that I wanted to give up. There were those times that I did not know if it would ever happen. And it was so many nos that I got, so many people that told me why it couldn’t happen, why physically it was not able. I was too… they needed younger people. They didn’t think I could bring anything to the table. And I listened to that and listened to that. And it was so discouraging because there were times that I would look up and say, ‘Okay, God, I’m listening.’ But I thought God was speaking in another language because I was missing something. And God would say to me sometimes, ‘Sherri, do you trust me?’ And I’d go, ‘Absolutely not!’ But thank God that he’s got a great sense of humor, and he could handle my doubt because that’s who God is. He can handle all that. He can handle frank discussion. But when the time was right, God took my hand, and he led me right here. And these four years with you were some of the best in my life.
“I got to laugh with you. I got to make you laugh. I got to cry with you. I got to be myself fully, loudly, and joyfully. And I’m so grateful that you welcomed me into your homes, your living rooms, your kitchen, and in your prison cells,” continued Shepherd. “Thank you. I’m telling you, thank you. When I tell you we got prisoners down on lock over here at Sherri, and I want to thank you for watching us. I want to thank you for supporting us. I thank you for letting me into your lives. And I thank you for listening to my stories about my son, my bad dates, my marriage, my divorce, my other marriage, my other divorce. But most of all, I thank you for letting me grow in front of you. And even when I stumbled, you loved me anyway. So from my heart to yours, this has truly been my great honor. And I thank you, Lord, for listening to the dreams of your child. Thank you.”
Final Guests
Award-winning actor Niecy Nash, who is also Shepherd’s real-life BFF, was the last celebrity guest to appear on the talk show, while Michelle Buteau was the last actor/comedian to appear during the “Sherri’s Laugh Lounge” segment.
Oprah’s “Bittersweet” Message
A surprise video message recorded by former talk show host Oprah Winfrey (“The Oprah Winfrey Show”) aired just before the closing segment of “Sherri.” In it, Winfrey said, “Well, I know what that final day is like. It’s bittersweet, and so to you and all of your staff, all the people working behind the scenes who have made you look so good in front of the camera, my heart is with you today cuz I understand how bittersweet this is and how many treasured memories and how many fun times.
“I just want to thank you, Sherri and thank your entire team for bringing so much laughter and lifting us up and leaving us with light inside ourselves. This is what we needed in these times where there’s not a lot of laughs and certainly not a lot of laughs in the good spirit that you brought to us every single day on the ‘Sherri’ show.”
Closing Out A Talk Show
Thank you so much, Oprah, for those very thoughtful words,” said Shepherd following Winfrey’s message. “It was an honor having you on the show and always here supporting me. And this is the wonderful staff that Oprah was talking about.”
Joined by all the staff and crew who helped bring “Sherri” to audiences, Shepherd said, “This is the wonderful staff that Oprah was talking about. And this staff has been beautifully led by my executive producer and showrunner, Joelle Dawson-Calia. These are the amazing people who make the magic happen behind the scenes, and they make me look good every day. I want to thank you to my stage crew and camera people for always getting my best angle. Oh my gosh. And a special shout-out to the control room led by my director, Eden Castle. Thank you for keeping this show on time and on the air. And of course, a very special thank you to Debmar-Mercury. Thank you, Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein, for giving me a chance. And thank you to our executive vice president of programming, Karen Bonck, for always fighting for this show. You made my dreams come true. And I will miss coming to work every day with these wonderful people. All we do is laugh when we’re here. And I thank you all for making this show the best time on daytime.”
After taking its last commercial break, Shepherd returned to the screen in her pink chair, telling the TV audience, “For the last time, I hope something on today’s show put a smile on your face. To all the viewers watching, thank you for putting a smile on my face every day for the last four years. It has been pure joy sharing my life with you every day, and these are memories that I will never forget. And, as always, thank you for watching the best time in daytime. Bye-bye for now.”
Watch Shepherd’s final opening monologue below.
Note: The post Daytime Talk Show ‘Sherri’ Concludes After Four Seasons; Oprah Winfrey & Tyler Perry Share “Bittersweet” Messages For Sherri Shepherd first appeared on Soap Opera Network.
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