Sherri Shepherd Tests Positive for COVID Days After Resuming Show Amid WGA Strike

Sherri Shepherd has temporarily suspended her talk show after testing positive for COVID-19, just within a week of starting its latest season.

The 56-year-old launched the second season of her talk show on Monday, featuring discussions with musician Jon Batiste and comedians Brad Williams and Michelle Buteau. Before her COVID diagnosis, Shepherd's show intended to host standup comedian Leslie Jones, television personality Julie Chen Moonves, and actress Katherine Heigl later in the premiere week.

While Hollywood writers and actors have been on the picket lines partaking in the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, Shepherd returned to hosting her show, "Sherri." The multi-talented star has now had to put her plans for the syndicated daytime talk show on hold following her recent COVID-19 diagnosis. 

In a note posted to the show's Instagram page on Wednesday, the comedian shared that she is "absolutely heartbroken" that she "cannot return to host my show this week." She added:

"As soon as I get the all-clear from my doctor, I look forward to coming back strong to deliver the fun, laughter, and a real good time."

Above her expression, the note emphasized that "the health of our host and the entire staff is of the utmost importance" and that it intends to "return with original episodes as soon as possible." It also pointed out that "encore episodes from the beginning of premiere week will air" in the host's absence.

The news brought her fans out in droves, and they ensured they showered her with their well wishes in the comments section. While one person enthusiastically commented, "What?! Aaw Sherri bless you and your team. May you be healed with no evidence that you ever were sick," another exclaimed, "Get well soon!!!"

A third Instagram user expressed, "Oh no, Sweetie, please take care of you 6. I was so excited to see you back, but I was worried one day with your scratchy throat. Take care, baby girl. We'll wait patiently." 

"I can hear her voice over the last two episodes. It sounds like she's fighting a cold. Thanks for trying to push through - get well soon ??," a fourth fan said. Meanwhile, a fifth joked, "Chyle, this them writers and actors strike people doing spells on Sherri. They said oh, so you want to go back to your show? okay, cool ????  just kidding. get better."

Although playful, the last comment might have some truth, as some had taken offense at Shepherd's show returning for a second season amid the strikes.

The backlash was so loud that the former "The Talk" host opened the premiere episode of "Sherri" with a statement addressing why she returned. The "One for the Money" star began her monologue by saying:

"Well, I'm a SAG-AFTRA actress, and I actually marched with some of my colleagues while in Los Angeles recently. That's me with Viola Davis, Niecy Nash."

She clarified that talk shows typically operate under a different union contract code, allowing everyone except WGA shows to return on screen. After explaining that she writes her jokes and that the humorous headlines viewers see everywhere are a product of her creative talent, she detailed:

"I have the producers who help me shape my words, which is why we don't have WGA writers over here at 'Sherri.'"

Months before she had to take a break from hosting her talk show, Shepherd had tugged at the heartstrings of her social media followers with an update about a sweet moment with her son, Jeffrey Charles Tarpley Jr. 

The "Beauty Shop" star had kicked off the insight with an image featuring her baby boy stealing hearts in a black suit, blue bow tie, matching handkerchief, and white sneakers.

Besides proof of the high schooler's fashion game, the images also highlight the nurturing side of his mom, who is seen gently brushing his hair in one of them.

While her efforts at glamming him resulted in an impressive display, what stood out for Shepherd was how Jeffrey Jr. treated his prom date. The mother of one reflected in the accompanying caption:

"'Mom, why are you crying? It's just my prom!' Watching my son put a corsage on his date's wrist and helping her into the car… whew, I think I did alright!"

Her sentiments about raising her son well were echoed by her fans, with many expressing their pride in her parenting skills.