A&E and Lifetime File Counterclaim Against Wendy Williams’ Guardian Over Docuseries Lawsuit.

A&E Television Networks and Lifetime Entertainment Services have filed a counterclaim against Sabrina Morrissey, the guardian of Wendy Williams, 60, in response to a lawsuit Morrissey filed against the networks regarding the docuseries "Where is Wendy Williams?" The legal filings, submitted on November 15 in New York, request reimbursement for the companies' legal costs incurred while defending against Morrissey's allegations.

Wendy Williams at the Wendy Williams Star Ceremony  on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, CA

A legal dispute has erupted between Sabrina Morrissey, Wendy Williams' guardian, and A&E Television Networks and Lifetime Entertainment Services over the docuseries "Where is Wendy Williams?" Morrissey’s lawsuit, accusing the networks of exploiting Williams, has prompted a counterclaim seeking reimbursement for legal costs.

The networks argue that Morrissey’s actions are an attempt to suppress free speech and protect her reputation, while defending the documentary's content. This case raises important questions about guardianship, consent, and the ethics of media portrayal of individuals with cognitive impairments.

In their counterclaim, A&E and Lifetime assert that Morrissey’s lawsuit seeks to inhibit free speech and harass the networks by forcing them to defend against what they describe as "unfounded claims." The entertainment companies argue that Morrissey's actions were motivated by a desire to protect her own reputation after realizing that the documentary would question the quality of her guardianship over Williams. According to the filing, Morrissey’s sudden opposition to the release of the docuseries stemmed from concerns that the project would expose her failings as a guardian.

The networks maintain that the documentary illustrated how Williams’ guardianship had negatively impacted her well-being, highlighting her isolation from family, neglect, and self-destructive behavior, including alcohol misuse. The companies further contend that the series shed light on the worsening mental state of the former television host, who has faced significant health challenges.

Morrissey’s lawsuit alleges that the networks exploited Williams for financial gain, depicting her in a cruel and exploitative manner despite her cognitive impairments. She claims Williams, who has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, lacked the capacity to consent to her involvement in the project, despite her title as an executive producer.

The legal battle began when Morrissey sought to block the airing of "Where is Wendy Williams?" in February. She pursued an injunction and a temporary restraining order, which were ultimately denied by an appellate judge who ruled that blocking the series would infringe upon First Amendment rights. Morrissey’s legal team has also challenged the documentary's financial arrangements, arguing that Williams was inadequately compensated for her participation, with the networks profiting from her vulnerable situation.

Morrissey is requesting that any profits generated from the docuseries be allocated to Williams, emphasizing that the former talk show host will need substantial financial resources for medical care and supervision due to her ongoing health challenges.

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