“This is an exclusive” — Jimmy Kimmel claims Fox & Friends tried to book deceased Cheers star to speak about George Wendt’s death

During the May 21 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the late night talk show host went from satire into sheer disbelief. Jimmy Kimmel spoke of a real email forwarded to him from someone inside Fox News, and shared the email's content during his monologue. According to a report by Us Weekly, the message Jimmy Kimmel received was a mix-up on the part of a Fox & Friends talent booker.

“This is an exclusive, This is an e-mail I obtained from a source… This was sent from a talent booker at Fox & Friends yesterday to the people who represented Kirstie Alley. The names have been blurred to protect the stupid,” shared Jimmy.

Jimmy Kimmel highlights booking blunder for the George Wendt tribute

According to the email, the booking team had reached out to potential guests to commemorate George Wendt, the beloved actor who was known for playing Norm on Cheers. George Wendt, passed away on May 20.

However in a weird twist, the team reportedly attempted to contact his co-star Kirstie Alley for a comment, despite Kristie's passing away in 2022. Alley and Wendt starred together on Cheers, and tributes from cast members have surfaced following his passing. According to Kimmel, the email said:

“We would love to have Kirstie Alley on tomorrow morning’s show, May 21st, to talk about George Wendt, It would be a 3-5 minute interview sometime between 6-9 am ET. Please let me know if she’s available.”

Jimmy Kimmel then delivered the punchline:

“Sadly, Kirstie Alley is not available because she, too, passed away three years ago. Just like most of the viewers at Fox News.”

Kirstie Alley is the Emmy-winning actress known for her role as Rebecca Howe on Cheers. She rose to fame following her feature film debut in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Her performance on the long-running NBC sitcom earned her an Emmy and a Golden Globe in 1991.

Between 1997 and 2000, Alley led the cast of Veronica’s Closet, a sitcom that brought her additional recognition, including nominations for both the Emmys and Golden Globes. She secured her second Emmy win in 1994 for the television movie, David’s Mother, and in 1997, added another Emmy nomination for her role in the crime drama, The Last Don.

In December 2022, it was confirmed that Alley had passed away following a brief battle with cancer. In a report by Us Weekly, her children shared a heartfelt statement following her passing.

“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered, she was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead.” shared her daughters.

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They added:

"Our mother’s zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating, were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did.”

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