Wendy Williams on TV Hero Kelsey Grammer and Turning Down Reality TV
by PopEater Staff
posted Sept 11th 2010


Wendy Williams is back for another over-the-top season of "The Wendy Williams Show" and has already welcomed celebrity guests like John Leguizamo, Fantasia Barrino and the "Real Housewives of New Jersey".

While she's not one to get starstruck, Williams told PopEater she's "still tingling" from meeting "Frasier" star Kelsey Grammer.

Plus, the opinionated host dished about the new season and why she'll NEVER be on a reality TV show like her girl, Snooki.






How you doin', Wendy?

Good. How you doin'?





Fantastic. First off, congratulations on the second season.

Thanks! It's been such a success. It's only the first week, and I've already interviewed my TV hero, Kelsey Grammer. I'm still tingling from meeting him.

I love having my show. It's my secret way of meeting people I'd only fantasized about meeting and never thought that I actually would. [Laughs]

When "Frasier" was on, I was on the radio too and was addicted to that show. I still watch repeats.






You even got to meet his new girlfriend, Kayte Walsh. How was that?

Yeah. Kayte is young and so regular. Let's not forget, Grammer is 55. That's old enough to know what you want, but young enough to still go after it.

They seemed like a nice, regular couple. I really enjoyed having them on my show.






Is there anyone else you're dreaming of interviewing?

Michelle Obama -- and we wouldn't talk about politics.

We're the same age, and it's still hard to believe that one of my peers is the first lady of the country. There is so much we have to talk about. I want to know what she likes to cook, what's on her iPod and how she deals with her kids when they aren't doing well in school.

Sarah Palin can join us too, but the politics have to be left at the door.

Oh, and one more! Aretha Franklin. She loves to eat and I love to eat, so I would have a spread of all of our favorite food, and we'd chat.











I've noticed there are quite a few changes to "Ask Wendy."
Are there other segment changes?

This season, we're opening our toll-free number again, so people can leave me voicemails. Then, we'll play them on the show!

Oh my gosh -- those are going to be the best! People can sound off about Jada Pinkett and Will Smith or Angelina Jolie. No one shouts it out and tells it better than "Wendy" viewers.






Do you ever watch the episodes on TV?
I'd be a nervous wreck watching myself.

Actually, today, I watched the show while on the treadmill at the gym. I've never done that before.

I'm still critical of myself, like, 'How do I look?' I wasn't that way last season, but I want to make sure I'm ready to shine for the new season. I watched, and I liked what I saw. I really enjoyed it -- even though I saw it on mute. [Laughs]









Now, I've read that you've been approached several times to do a reality TV show.
Is it going to happen?

No. I've been asked five different times to do a reality show and turned them all down.

First off, my son is still too young to defend himself fully -- he's only 10. And even though my husband helped me get my talk show, he's definitely the background guy.


Personally, the more successful I've gotten, the more I've returned to the absolute girl, my parents' daughter. I'm just a simple girl from New Jersey, and I don't want the cameras in my house.

I don't want to be put on blast like that. I just want to run and hide in my house some days.




Are there any projects you'd like to take on?

I wouldn't mind producing a few TV shows, but my main focus right now is my talk show. It's an absolute joy.

There is no higher high for me than having a talk show.

http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/09/11/wendy-williams-interview/