The daytime talk show “Sherri,” hosted by Sherri Shepherd, is grappling with losing one of its leading executives, Matt Uzzle, amid ongoing financial scrutiny. Uzzle, who was responsible for production management and budget oversight on the show, was discovered deceased in his home in Piermont, N.Y., on February 13.
At the time of his untimely passing, Uzzle was under investigation related to financial discrepancies within the show. Allegations had surfaced regarding the mishandling of petty cash and unpaid rent for the show’s studio in Chelsea, NYC, since September, raising concerns about the program’s operational stability. In an exclusive by Page Six, sources claim that the show’s parent company, Debmar-Mercury, was alerted to these issues, prompting fears among the staff about the potential cessation of production.
Despite these challenges, sources affirm that the show has continued its production schedule uninterrupted, with Debmar-Mercury stepping in to address the financial irregularities. Uzzle, who transitioned to “Sherri” from “The Wendy Williams Show” — Shepherd’s predecessor in the daytime slot — had reportedly requested additional time to organize his financial records following inquiries about the show’s fiscal health.
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In the wake of his disappearance, a welfare check conducted by the police led to the discovery of his demise. Debmar-Mercury, while refraining from commenting on the specifics of Uzzle’s death or the financial investigation, announced their engagement of the law firm Morgan Lewis to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, pending which further comments will be withheld. The executive’s contributions to television production, notably on “The Wendy Williams Show” and other major projects, have been celebrated in various tributes, including a memoriam segment on the “Sherri” show on February 15. The production has also provided grief counselors to support its staff during this challenging period.