Television

Wendy Williams Reveals Her Worst Guest, Recalls Groping Incident

By Emily Surpless

The talk host just opened up about the worst person she's ever interviewed.

On Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, Wendy Williams touched upon the ongoing Charlie Rose scandal, which has seen the former 60 Minutes host accused of sexual misconduct. And Williams revealed that she'd previously been the victim of sexual harassment on her own show, The Wendy Williams Show—as it aired live.

"My worst guest? I'm not going to name, but I can tell you this—it had to do with some groping, and you all saw it but didn't say a word. And I felt it and I didn't say a word," the 53-year-old told audience members and at-home viewers. "My staff saw it and that guest will never be here anymore. He's not relevant anyway."

She went on to describe how, during her second or third season, a comedian, who she called a "little man," came on her show and touched her without her consent. "You know I hug my guests—he hugs me but lays in my breasts inappropriately, and I didn't know what to do because I'm brand new on TV, whereas now I would definitely push somebody through a glass coffee table."

She said she went along with the hug, laughing and smiling, because she wasn't sure how to respond. After the hug, she claimed that the man looked up at her and said, in a very distinct voice, "Oh, you're not Oprah!"

"I didn't know how to take that," she recalled. "And the whole interview was just weird, and I just would never have him here again. And I am two seconds away from saying his name, but it's not worth it."

While Williams never named the rude guest, internet sleuths were quick to determine that comedian Gilbert Gottfried was the man in question (via E! News). Not only does his iconic voice match Williams' description but he also appeared on Williams' show in 2011, where he apparently placed his face on the host's chest.

Regarding the alleged incident, Gottfried told Inside Edition that he didn't remember the show. When asked if he was indeed banned from the talk show, he replied, "Not that I'm aware of."

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