Wendy Williams' Life in New Movie Shows She is Sick

February 27th, 2024

The recent documentary about Wendy Williams has sparked a mixture of concern and discomfort among viewers and the film's creators. While documenting the life of the former host, producers noticed her health issues and unsettling behavior but were unaware of her dementia diagnosis. Wendy Williams, now facing the same cognitive disorder as actor Bruce Willis, was often seen struggling with mobility and displaying erratic emotions. The series, which was a sequel to previous Lifetime documentaries about Williams, was meant to portray her overcoming personal challenges and starting a podcast after her talk show's end due to health complications. However, as filming progressed, the direction changed significantly due to her deteriorating condition. Her alcohol-related struggles, including hidden liquor bottles, were unsettling to producers who emphasize the honesty of the footage echoing Williams' own straightforward nature. The turning point was when Williams’ son informed the crew of her dementia, related to alcohol. This information led to the decision to halt filming and eventually, Williams was placed in a treatment facility by her guardians. Despite criticism for potentially exploiting Williams' decline, the network and producers believe they presented her story responsibly, with the goal of highlighting the troubling aspects of guardianships, including the family's restricted access to Williams and limited influence over her care. The filmmakers have expressed there are no plans to continue documenting Williams' life, emphasizing the respect for her well-being. They hope the documentary will lead to a greater understanding of the complexities and issues surrounding legal guardianships.

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💭 Discussion Questions

. How did the focus of the Wendy Williams documentary shift during its production, and what factors influenced this change?

. In what ways do the filmmakers believe they have presented Wendy Williams' story responsibly, despite concerns of exploitation?

. What do the documentary creators hope to achieve in terms of public awareness or understanding regarding the issues surrounding legal guardianships?

📖 Vocabulary

🌐 Cultural context

The article is from the United States, where Wendy Williams is a well-known media personality and talk show host. The culture places high value on celebrity news and often follows their personal struggles publicly. Guardianship laws and the welfare of incapacitated individuals have been widely discussed, especially in light of cases involving famous people.

🧠 Further reading

Risk (2016 film)

"Risk" is a revealing documentary made by American director Laura Poitras that delves into the complex world of Julian Assange, the controversial founding editor of WikiLeaks. The documentary, which was first shown to the public at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, offers a multifaceted glimpse into Assange's life, capturing both his daring moves and internal contradictions. The narrative begins in 2010, tracing Assange's entanglements with legal systems, particularly focusing on Sweden's desire to have him extradited from the United Kingdom. This request sparked Assange's fear of being handed over to the United States, leading to dramatic scenes such as his call to the U.S. State Department to discuss security issues and his intense concern regarding Chelsea Manning’s situation. In a particularly striking sequence, Assange covertly enters the Ecuadorian Embassy in London to seek asylum. However, the film's portrayal of Assange is not static. In its initial version, it appeared more supportive of Assange's cause, but a subsequent re-edit shifts to a more critical perspective, examining allegations of sexual misconduct and questionable comments attributed to Assange. This change signals Poitras's own journey from admiration to a sense of disenchantment with Assange's personality and ethics. Through "Risk," viewers are invited to explore the perilous world of investigative journalism and the ethical quandaries faced by those who expose secrets, including both Assange and Poitras herself. The documentary provides an intimate examination of the challenges involved in WikiLeaks' operations and the personal cost of challenging powerful institutions.

Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist

The idea of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist is a significant principle within Twelver Shia Islam, asserting that distinguished Shia jurists should oversee certain religious and social matters until the eventual emergence of the infallible Imam, a figure expected to appear before Judgement Day. However, there is debate among Shia Muslims regarding the extent of this guardianship and which aspects of life it should influence. This notion became particularly prominent with Ruhollah Khomeini, who, in 1970, advocated a comprehensive interpretation of the concept, suggesting a theocracy where the jurist governs both the state and society. Khomeini's interpretation is embedded in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, where the appointed Guardian Jurist acts as the country's Supreme Leader. Under his rule, known as "absolute authority of the jurist," the jurist holds sway over all public and religious affairs, to the point where obedience to him can be deemed more significant than fulfilling certain religious duties, like prayer or pilgrimage. Nonetheless, some Shia scholars contest Khomeini's expansive approach, arguing for a more restrained implementation of the guardianship, focusing on matters such as settling disputes or caring for those without legal protection. There is also a lack of consensus on the universal acceptance of Khomeini's doctrine within Shia political ideology, leaving the subject open to interpretation and discussion.

Celebrity

Celebrity status denotes a person or group that has garnered immense recognition and fame, often through the focus provided by various forms of media. This can be achieved through wealth accumulation, a career in sports or entertainment, a role in politics, or connections to other celebrities. Unlike the more neutral or negative connotations of being 'famous' or 'notable,' or 'infamous' and 'notorious,' being a celebrity generally implies a positive image in the public eye. The concept of celebrity is not new. Historian Greg Jenner explores this in his book "Dead Famous: An Unexpected History Of Celebrity," where he identifies celebrities dating back to the early 1700s, with his earliest example being Henry Sacheverell. Despite some arguments by sociologists that celebrity culture began around 100 years ago with the inception of Hollywood, Jenner points to instances throughout history where individuals achieved fame. For example, ancient Greek athletes were revered as heroes and celebrated in various forms of cultural expression. Likewise, in Ancient Rome, prominent actors, notorious gladiators, and even Julius Caesar—who was notably featured on a coin during his lifetime—were subjects of public adoration. The phenomenon of becoming rapidly famous has also been observed long before Hollywood, with the Christian martyr Thomas Becket in the 12th century serving as an example. Following his murder, Becket's image and life story spread quickly and widely due to promotion by the Christian Church. This pattern of a sudden surge in popularity is recurrent throughout history and is indicative of the enduring concept of celebrity.