Considering everything Wendy Williams has gone through in the past couple of years or so, mostly recently the finalizing of her divorce, the latest "controversy" to hit her daily talk show was probably something of a relief. I speak, of course, about the recent episode incident now dubbed "Fartgate," when a loud flatulent sound could be heard in the middle of one of Williams' segments. The host has since denied the passing of gas, and went a little overboard in doing so.
The always outspoken Wendy Williams directly addressed the alleged fart this week on an episode of her talk show, and not only did she blow off any responsibility for making that sound, but she went so far as to claim she rarely farts at all in life. (Obviously something a serial TV farter would say, amirite?) In her words:
I have never farted once on this show. As a matter of fact, I barely fart. You know why? Because gas gets released several different ways, and mine is belching, because all I do is talk. [Belches.] Excuse me. It went viral, and I was like, no. Because I would have made a big deal. Like, if I farted? I would have definitely been laughing, because farts are always funny.
She went on to double-down on the amusement that would have been shared by all had she actually farted and acknowledged it. Although things took a particularly questionable turn when Williams speculated that the fart sound was so big, it would have meant she'd have shit herself.
First of all, I went on with the story. Now, you know a girl like me would have been laughing at that. Second of all, by the sound of that fart, I would have had to go change my costume! I would have left a mark in the seat. I wouldn’t even save the costume, I would have thrown it away. It’d probably be soiled beyond soil-tivity.
To be fair, if someone accidentally farts in close quarters with a few friends, that's a funny situation where people can crack up without making a huge scene. But if a poise-filled celebrity farts on stage in front of a group of strangers (fans or not), that celeb's first instinct probably wouldn't be to laugh mirthfully. Clearly, Williams' laughter would also quickly be followed by an outfit bonfire in a trashcan behind the studio.
For Wendy Williams to then claim that she barely farts at all is like a kid getting caught with his hand hovering near the cookie jar, only to profess, "As a matter of fact, I have a vast indifference to most cookies." Which isn't to say I don't believe her; I'm just amused by the lengths of her defense.
Wendy Williams actually started up her Fartgate segment by slamming the idea that her seat posture was indicative of someone leaning over to pass gas.
Let me tell you something right now, okay. I don’t lean over like this to release a fart, I’m lean over like this because it’s comfortable. If I sit [straightened] all the time, it’s heavy on my spine. I don’t have the back. I’m not trying to get the back. I like to release my hips and lean. You know what I’m saying? And if I shift my wig or I belch or I rub my teeth...I’ve been doing this for 11 years on this show.
For everyone who is dying to know what the sound actually was, stagehand John Anderson had the real cause, which sounds ridiculous enough to be true. In preparation for scientist Dr. Kate Biberdorf appearing in a later segment, crew members were filling up a fish tank with the wrong-sized hose. The error caused air to sputter out of the hose in a way that resembled mega-farts, and that's all she wrote. Fartgate. Is. Over.
I suppose the best way for Wendy Williams to prove her claims true is for her to actually accidentally fart on the show one day soon, so that she can laugh uproariously and throw away her soiled costume right there in front of the audience. For now, though, all amateur sleuths can once again put aside those deerstalker hats and pipes.
Go ahead and watch the denials yourself in the video below, with the Fartgate segment starting around the 10:30 mark.
The Wendy Williams Show airs in syndication every weekday morning. Check your local listings to see when and where the show plays in your area.
