Sherri Shepherd vows to keep fighting for her talk show after cancellation

Sherri Shepherd has vowed not to give up on her talk show, despite its recent cancellation.

The Emmy-winning host returned to air on Monday, Feb. 9, for the first episode of her eponymous talk show since its cancellation was announced on Feb. 2. 

Speaking from Chelsea Studios in New York City, Shepherd expressed gratitude for her fans and reaffirmed her determination to continue spreading joy, despite the show’s uncertain future.

“I want to be clear: I'm not ready to throw in the towel on this show just yet. I'm not. We're going to be airing episodes all through the fall, and we're going to continue to fight to keep this show alive in some way, shape, or form,” Shepherd, 58, said. “If anybody knows me, they know I'm a fighter. I don’t know exactly what it’s going to look like, but I promise, I am going to continue to spread joy.”

Opening the episode with her trademark humor, Shepherd joked with the audience about health costs and thanked them for their overwhelming support following the cancellation news.

“From the audience, to everybody on social media, to people who stop me in the store… I feel every bit of the love that you’ve been sending me. Thank you so much,” she said. 

“Thank you for welcoming me into your homes every single day, for laughing and crying with us, and for supporting my unhealthy obsession with Lenny Kravitz. The intention of this show has always been joy. My prayer was for you to leave happier than when you came, and I am so grateful I had the chance to do it for four seasons.”

Shepherd also shared lighthearted moments with her audience, teasing her producer and close friends about potential pranks during the show’s remaining episodes.

“Please don’t be trying anything crazy,” she said, referencing a producer planning a streak on the last day and a friend scheming to steal items from the green room. “Security, I need you to watch them,” she joked.

The Fox syndicated series, which premiered in September 2022, will continue production on its fourth season, with final episodes airing this fall. 

Lionsgate’s Debmar-Mercury, which produces the show, previously said the cancellation “is driven by the evolving daytime television landscape and does not reflect on the strength of the show or its incredibly talented host.”