The Wendy Williams Show kicked off its third season in national syndication on September 12. Fresh off of a summer-long nationwide tour, Wendy started the season by welcoming some of today’s biggest stars to the show for the first time.

The daytime star and New York Times bestselling author also started the season by sharing footage from her hugely successful multi-city “Say It Like You Mean It Summer Tour.” Thousands of fans from across the country gathered to greet Williams’ specially designed and decorated bus, bringing her irrepressible good humor and authentic attitude directly to the American people. In each city she visited, Wendy met large crowds of fans, made new friends and had fun with local residents, participating in state fairs, food contests, boat races and baseball games. “Wendy’s charisma and sense of fun is a big hit with affiliates and viewers,” said Debmar-Mercury Co-Presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein. “Season three episodes have Wendy firing on all cylinders, interacting with major celebrities and hosting segments that entertain new viewers and long-time fans alike.” “I loved spending the summer connecting with people on a personal level in their home towns,” said Williams. “I’m so excited to start the new season, share my experiences and introduce some of my new celebrity friends to viewers.”

The Wendy Williams Show is taped live in New York and features Williams’ distinctive and entertaining personality as well as a diverse mix of celebrities from film, music, sports and television. Popular segments include “Ask Wendy” during which she offers real advice to audience members looking for solutions to problems, and “Hot Topics” in which she delivers her own funny and authentic take on the juiciest headlines. The Wendy Williams Show is produced and distributed by Debmar-Mercury.

Wendy Williams

Called a “breakthrough in daytime” by The New York Times, Wendy Williams burst onto the national talk show scene in July 2009 with the launch of her daily, syndicated program, The Wendy Williams Show, which has been renewed through the 2012-2013 television season. A mother, wife and best-selling author, Williams built a devoted cult following from her years as one of radio’s most popular personalities, winning over legions of fans who couldn’t wait to see the host make her television debut. Touted by People Magazine as one of the “best shows of 2009,” the critically-acclaimed series now has the distinction of being “must-see TV.” In addition to her daytime television success, Wendy competed on Season 12 of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars and is also host on GSN’s new original series, Love Triangle, which premiered April 11, 2011.

Williams, who was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame (only the second African American woman to be honored by the organization) in November 2009, parted ways with her top rated radio show, The Wendy Williams Experience, at the end of July, 2009. The program, which aired on WBLS in New York, was home to over 12 million listeners nationwide.

She is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, Wendy’s Got The Heat by Simon & Schuster and The Wendy Williams Experience by Dutton Books, as well as several novels including, Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood.

Her previous television work included the VH1 series, entitled Wendy Williams Is On Fire.

Williams grew up in Ocean Township, NJ and currently lives in northern New Jersey with her husband Kevin Hunter and their son, Kevin, Jr. Williams attended Northeastern University in Boston, MA, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in communications with a minor in journalism.

The CW will broadcast the 15^th annual Young Hollywood Awards on Thursday, August 1.  This star-studded red-carpet event has long been regarded as the “Oscars of Young Hollywood,” spotlighting the accomplishments of the entertainment industry’s rising stars.  Nominees will be announced next month.

Eight years after its final episode aired, Everybody Loves Raymond is still making waves around the world, Deadline reports.  The BBC is filming a pilot for a UK remake of the Emmy-winning comedy later this month, with British actor-writer Lee Mack and Catherine Tate (Nellie on The Office) in the starring roles originated by Ray Romano and Cleveland’s Patricia Heaton.  You can see Raymond, weeknights at 12 and 12:30am on WBNX.

Congratulations to Shenae Grimes (Annie on 90210), who was married to UK musician and fashion model Josh Beech last week.   The wedding was held in Ashford, England, says Us Weekly, with Shenae’s close friend and costar AnnaLynne McCord (Naomi) among the guests.  The groom’s band, Beech, just released its debut EP; and the bride has officially changed her name to Shenae Beech. 

Colin Donnell (Tommy Merlin on Arrow) is a big fan of the stage.  “When I got to college I quickly realized there was nothing else I loved as much as theatre,” he tells TVG.  “It’s my first love,” having won rave reviews for his Broadway run in Anything Goes.  This summer in New York, he’ll be acting and singing in Shakespeare in the Park’s musical production of Love’s Labor Lost.

The Vampire Diaries co-creator Julie Plec says the most satisfying story to tell this past season was taking Elena from human to new vampire to emotionless, and back to feeling again.  “We took her to dark, angry places, and as writers—and for Nina (Dobrev), too—it was such a fun year to explore all the different sides of Elena,” she admits to TV Guide.