Sherri Shepherd Explains Why Her Talk Show is Returning Amid WGA Strike

Sherri Shepherd‘s show is back!

On Monday (September 18), the 56-year-old actress’ daytime talk show, titled Sherri, returned for its second season on Fox.

As writers and actors continue to stand in solidarity with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes for fair pay and better working conditions, several TV shows have been pushed back and postponed that were planning on premiering for the fall season.

At the beginning of the episode, Sherri explained why her show was allowed to return amid the ongoing strike.

“This summer you all may have seen your favorite actors and Hollywood stars have been on the picket lines with the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes,” Sherri began. “There has been so much confusion about who can work and who can’t work.”

Sherri noted that she is a SAG member, and she picketed over the summer with famous friends including Viola Davis and Niecy Nash.

She then explained that talk shows that do not employ WGA writers fall under a “different union contract code.”

“Here’s the thing, talk shows in general fall under a different union contract code, so we’re allowed to come back unless you’re a WGA show,” Sherri explained. “The Sherri show is not a WGA show and we have never employed WGA writers, so us coming back to work isn’t crossing the picket line.”

She continued, “As a comic, my comedic take on the headlines is my voice. I write the jokes. I’m the writer…producers help me shape my words. That’s why we don’t have WGA writers.”

Sherri reiterated that she stands in support for the SAG-AFTRA and specifically expressed her support for actors asking for higher residuals, noting that the residuals helped her take care of her son Jeffrey Jr, now 18, when he was born prematurely.

“I stand in solidarity with my union. One of the things that we’re fighting for is better residuals,” Sherri said. “Residuals during times that I was not working kept the lights on. My residual payments helped me care for Jeffrey when he was born at 25 weeks. So good residual payments are important to actors.”

In conclusion, Sherri said, “My heart is breaking for all of the people that can’t work right now, and I hope our industry can get this strike resolved soon.”

Also during the season premiere, Sherri revealed the medical procedure she underwent this summer.