According to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, Fox & Friends desperately needs to update their celebrity rolodex.
During the Wednesday, May 21, episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the host alleged that the popular morning news show Fox & Friends attempted to book the late Kirstie Alley, who died in 2022, to speak about her former Cheers costar George Wendt, who died on Tuesday, May 20.
“This is an exclusive,” Kimmel, 57, said. “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.”
The host then started to read the alleged email out loud for fans and viewers.
“We would love to have Kirstie Alley on tomorrow morning’s show, May 21st, to talk about George Wendt,” the alleged correspondence read. “It would be a 2-5 minute interview sometimes between 6-9 am ET. Please let me know if she’s available!”
Kimmel continued, “Sadly, Kirstie Alley is not available because she, too, passed away three years ago. Just like most of the viewers at Fox News.”
Us Weekly has reached out to a representative of Fox News for comment.
News broke in December 2022 that Allie died after a brief battle with cancer.
“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” Alley’s daughters, William “True” Stevenson and Lillie Stevenson, announced in a statement at the time. “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.”
“The family concluded: 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.”
Years later, on Tuesday, Wendt’s family confirmed to Us that the beloved actor – best known for his role as Norm on Cheers – died. He was 76.
“Beloved actor and comedian, George Wendt, best known for starring in the NBC hit comedy Cheers, has passed away,” a rep for his family told Us in a statement. “George’s family confirmed the news of his death early Tuesday morning, announcing he died peacefully in his sleep while at home. George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever.”
