People Puzzler has been cleared by Lionsgate’s Debmar-Mercury in more than 90% of the U.S. ahead of the game show’s debut in broadcast syndication on Monday, September 11. Stations from the Fox, CBS, Nexstar, Scripps, Hearst, Gray, Sinclair and other groups have picked up the show with Fox’s WWOR New York slating it to air at 6 p.m. weeknights. 

People Puzzler, which is hosted by Leah Remini, is based on People Magazine’s weekly celebrity-focused crossword puzzle and comes to broadcast syndication with 325 episodes after airing for three years on Game Show Network. 

“This hit game on GSN makes it a proven performer with over 300 episodes. Having generated strong household ratings and adult 25-54 demos, and offering viewers a fan favorite with Leah as host, People Puzzler has deservedly earned its place on stations’ fall schedules,” said Debmar-Mercury Co-Presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein in a statement.

The game pits three contestants in a three-round battle that puts their pop-culture knowledge to the test. The contestant who completes the three rounds with the most points moves into the “Fast Puzzle Bonus Round” for a chance to win cash.

People Puzzler is one of three new game shows that are coming to syndication this fall. Joining it are Fox's Person, Place or Thing, hosted by Melissa Peterman, and TMZ's Who the Bleep Is That? 

People Puzzler is produced by Game Show Enterprises, Start Entertainment and People, a Dotdash Meredith brand. Remini executive produces along with Rane Laymance, Scott St. John and Neal Konstantini for Start Entertainment, and Rachel Feinberg for Dotdash Meredith.  

Leah Remini and Michelle Visage are returning to guest co-host Debmar-Mercury’s The Wendy Williams Show for two weeks, starting Nov. 29 and running through Friday, Dec. 10. 

Williams remains out on extended medical leave after delaying the premiere of the show’s 13th season for a month. The show finally started its new season on Monday, Oct. 18 and since then an array of guest panels and hosts have been filling in. Remini and Visage did their first stint on Williams’ purple couch in the show’s first week back on the air.

“Leah and Michelle's girlfriend relationship is authentic and a joy to watch,” said Wendy Williams executive producer David Perler in a statement. “We are thrilled to be able to give our viewers another two weeks with them co-hosting Wendy as viewers will feel like they are sitting at the kitchen table with their best girlfriends having their morning coffee.  Leah worked very hard to respect what Wendy has built and also brings a special style of her own to Wendy’s audience.”

Also: Fat Joe, Remy Ma to Guest Host ‘Wendy Williams’ Ahead of Thanksgiving

Actress Remini is best known for starring on CBS primetime comedy The King of Queens and for her documentary series, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which aired on A&E for three seasons from 2016 through 2019. Radio DJ and performer Visage has long worked closely with RuPaul and stars on RuPaul’s Drag Race as well as that show’s many spinoffs. 

“Michelle and I couldn’t be more grateful to Wendy, her amazing crew, Debmar-Mercury and most of all, Wendy’s loyal fans for liking us and for trusting us to have us hold it down until Wendy’s return,” said Remini in a statement.

In the week prior to Thanksgiving, Wendy Williams is being guest-hosted by panel including MTV’s The Challenge: Aftermath’s Devyn Simone, media personality Bevy Smith, Variety chief correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister and comedian Michael Yo on Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday, hip-hop duo and friends of the show Fat Joe and Remy Ma are taking on hosting duties. 

The Wendy Williams Show will fill its season-13 premiere week with guest hosts as its titular host recovers from complications from Graves' disease and thyroid issues, producers of the Debmar-Mercury-produced show said via Instagram. Williams also tested positive with a breakthrough case of COVID-19 last month.

“Wendy continues to be under medical supervision and meets with her medical team on a daily basis. She is making progress but is experiencing serious complications as a direct result of Graves’ disease and her thyroid condition,“ the show‘s social team posted on its Instagram feed. “It has been determined that more time is needed before she is able to return to her live hosting duties.

“Wendy is a valued and stalwart member of the Debmar-Mercury family and has been so for 12 years. We want her health to be her top priority. As soon as she's ready, she will be back in her treasured purple chair.”

On Monday, Oct. 18, Wendy Williams’ season premiere, the show will be hosted by a “Hot Talk” panel including Devyn Simone, host of MTV’s The Challenge: Aftermath, author/actor/media personality Bevy Smith, Variety senior correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister and comedian and actor Michael Yo. Smith and Wagmeister previously hosted Fox’s syndicated Page Six talk show together.

Actress Leah Remini will guest host the program for the rest of the week, marking the first time the actress has sat in the show’s host chair. 

“Wendy’s shoes are hard to fill, so we needed to find the right fit. Leah will bring a lot of fun and energy to our viewers with a few surprises along the way,” said Executive Producer David Perler in a statement.

Wendy Williams had been scheduled to premiere its new season on Monday, Sept. 20, but pushed that date back after Williams' positive COVID test.

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation has named the winners for its 44th annual Gracie Awards, which include such actresses as Sandra Oh. Leah Remini and Patricia Arquette.

The Gracie Awards, which recognize exemplary programming created by women, for women and about women in all facets of media and entertainment, will honor its awardees during a May 21 ceremony in Los Angeles, according to the organization. 

The winners include Sandra Oh, who was named best actress in a drama for her role in BBC America's Killing Eve, which was also the top choice in the drama category. CBS's Mom won the best comedy award, and Showtime's Escape at Dannemora, starring Patricia Arquette, won for best limited series. Leah Remini was named best On-Air Talent in the Lifestyle and Entertainment category for her role in A&E's Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which also won for best non fiction entertainment series. 

Local and student award winners will be recognized at the Gracie Awards Luncheon on June 26 at Cipriani in New York City, according to the AWMF.

“Our leadership is proud to honor the best of the best who embody the spirit and intention of the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation’s Gracie Awards.” said Becky Brooks, Executive Director, Alliance for Women in Media Foundation.

Gracie Awards winners in the television category are as follows: 

On-Air Talent - Sports - Ceiling Breakers

Andrea Kremer & Hannah Storm (Thursday Night Football)

Amazon Prime Video

Actress in a Breakthrough Role

Annie Murphy (Schitt's Creek)

CBC / Pop TV / ITV

Special or Variety

BET HER FIGHTS: BREAST CANCER

BET Networks

Producer - News

Claire Weinraub

ABC NEWS

Producer - Entertainment - Limited Series

Connie Britton & Alexandra Cunningham (Dirty John)

Bravo Media

Director - Drama

Daisy von Scherler Mayer (The Walking Dead)

AMC

Actress in a Supporting Role - Made for TV Movie or Limited Series

Elizabeth Perkins (Sharp Objects)

HBO

Limited Series

Escape at Dannemora

SHOWTIME

Made for Television Movie

Faith Under Fire: The Antoinette Tuff Story (Lifetime)

Lifetime

Sports Feature

Fast Tracked (ESPN E:60)

ESPN E:60

Ensemble Cast

Good Girls

Universal Television

Talk Show – Entertainment

Home & Family

Crown Media Family Networks (Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)

Producer- Documentary /Unscripted / Non-Fiction

Jane Root (One Strange Rock)

Nutopia / National Geographic

Drama

Killing Eve

BBC AMERICA

On-Air Talent - Lifestyle and Entertainment

Leah Remini (Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath)

A&E Network

Non-Fiction Entertainment

Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath

A&E Network

Investigative Feature

Live to Tell: Trafficked (48 Hours)

CBS News

Producer- Entertainment

Lori McCreary & Barbara Hall (Madam Secretary)

CBS Studios, Revelations Entertainment, Barbara Hall Productions

Actress in a Supporting Role - Drama

Maura Tierney (The Affair)

SHOWTIME

Comedy

Mom

Warner Bros. Television

Writer

Nancy M. Pimental (Shameless)

SHOWTIME

Reporter / Correspondent

Nima Elbagir

CNN

Soft News Feature

On The Road: Washington’s First Registered Lobbyist with Down Syndrome (CBS Evening News)

CBS News

Actress in a Leading Role - Made for TV Movie or Limited Series

Patricia Arquette (Escape at Dannemora)

SHOWTIME

Actress in a Leading Role - Comedy or Musical

Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend)

CBS Television Studios

Documentary - Grand Award

RBG

CNN

Director - Documentary

Rebecca Parrish (America to Me)

Starz

Actress in a Leading Role - Drama

Sandra Oh (Killing Eve)

BBC AMERICA

On-Air Talent - News or News Magazine

Savannah Guthrie & Hoda Kotb (TODAY)

NBC News, TODAY

News Feature Series

Sisterhood (The 3rd Hour of TODAY)

NBC News/The 3rd Hour of TODAY

Actress in a Supporting Role - Comedy or Musical

Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

Universal Television

Documentary

The Clinton Affair

A&E Network

Ensemble Cast - Grand Award

The Good Fight

CBS Television Studios

News Program

VICE News Tonight on HBO

VICE Media

News Magazine

VICE on HBO

VICE Media

Interview Feature

Waiting to Die (VICE on HBO)

VICE Media

Family Series

WASH UP! Girl Talk

Sesame Workshop

Hard News Feature

Yemen's Young Victims (BBC World News)

BBC World News