All these years later, just thinking about her description of the "racist dolphin" still cracks me up. She's one of the best.
6
I'm looking forward to watching this... her show from a few years ago is hilarious. The skit about "coming out" as black to her mom had me in tears...
1
Her crank yankers is one of the funniest things I have ever heard. Treat your self: https://youtu.be/nVTCJOy0vrk
Every once in a while my brothers and I will listen to it and just cry laughing. Bathroom humor warning.
1
Wanda Sykes has been on my radar for years.
I absolutely love her stand up. Her takes on race and gender and almost any everyday issue are not only politically astute but fall on the floor funny.
She is sometimes softened in her appearances, as she was when she had a talk show, but she was hilarious in The New Adventures of Old Christine. And for anybody who has not seen her standup - you are in for a real treat.
Sykes can be totally vicious and spot-on accurate - but somehow she makes it really funny. She reminds me of Anthony Jeselnik - of all people. She is just as twisted and risqué, but really very funny. My only complaint is I wish she had more stand up specials.
4
She first caught my attention in the early '00s with a brilliant take on white-collar crime: "I'm not afraid of getting mugged, I'm afraid to walk by that Enron building. Ain't no mugger ever stole nobody's future."
6
Sykes came through again big in my opinion. I watched this yesterday and thought it was hysterical. It's also the first stand-up special I've seen with a large serving of quality Trump material.
Wanda starts the show off with "If you voted for Trump...and you came to see ME...you [messed] up AGAIN!".
Thank you, Ms. Sykes. Medicine for the Masses.
2
Yesterday I noticed Wanda Sykes had a new special on Netflix and it made my day. I am biased because I love everything she does. She is hysterical. Her animated voices have brought me pleasure when I have sat through movies with my kids that were not my first ( second or third) choice. Her standup is so funny. She makes me smile and my crows feet wrinkle as she tells us we are all aging faster with Trump, although he is the first president who does not age in office from the stress.
4
I first became aware of Ms.Sykes from “ The New Adventures of Old Christine”. Her deadpan delivery was the perfect foil for Louis-Dreyfus’ character, Christine. It’s wonderful to see her getting the attention and appreciation she deserves.
5
I really love it when the Times does a kind of a double-duty by plugging me into great contemporary cultural experiences which then enrich my life on their own. Personal examples: Kendrick Lamar, Desus and Mero, the black hole reveal, Gabriel Garcia Marquez' journalism. To the journalists and editors itching to tell us what's going on out there, thank you.
3
Skyes is a genius. I watched "Not Normal" (her new stand-up on Netflix) last night. Highly recommend!
5
The author ‘s knowledge of her stand up career must be very shallow to call it “obscure “. She has had a long and deservedly very successful career, playing in top clubs, then theaters with multiple Comedy Central specials. If you don’t buy tickets early, you get shut out.
Did it not occur to the author that this was why Netflix paid her some much for this special?
19
@DSM14 And multiple HBO specials, too.
3
I find that being a very outspoken woman with LGBT-agenda is very hard. She writes very good comedy like her work in Connors, but her standup comedy resembles something like someone out of control woman hitting the service people because the sundae machine is out of order. CHILL OUT!!!
1
Loved her special tonight on Netflix. She is brilliant and very "down to earth" as when she mentioned her double mastectomy! Surprised how she faces her life head-on! No matter what subject, she's got the courage to confront it. BRAVO Wanda! Keep it coming dear lady. Thanks for the laughs. (FYI = I've been calling my waist muffin-top my ferret for years. Like minds???) Ha!
9
Nice to see an article re: Wanda Sykes although I could've done without the little jabs (no need to overlook the "craftsmanship" of her jokes!).
12
Discovered her when she did the WH Correspondent's Dinner, which was amazing. She puts me in hysterics.
9
I quote her all the time... She’s great!
9
I disagree with Jason. Wanda’s jokes about Trump are both topical and very funny. Most of us yearn for a more normal type of presidency. Wanda’s comedic take on this very not normal President is hilarious. And frightening.
27
Be warned - I've discovered that Esther has a sister - 'Nersha. She's stealthy, but even stronger than Esther. 'Nersha gets ahold of me and I can't even get up and go feed Esther.
Watch out for 'Nersha - she creeps-up on you.
7
at the top of her game
19
I enjoyed her in several movies/tv shows so when we had the chance to see her live comedy show we went! It was awful!! It wasn't funny at all and many times she appeared to be drunk or high and was almost slurring her words. So disappointed.
Was it the jokes that were ‘awful’ or the person? It’s seems you conflate the two.
Perhaps her seeming drunkenness was part of the act? Have seen a lot of her shows and never got the impression she was drunk or high.
Suffice to say “it wasn’t my cup of tea”. Without presuming inebriation.
1
It seems odd that Sykes’ writing for Rosanne Barr’s come-back show wan’t mentioned in this article. As a long-time Sykes fan, her attempts to make allowances for Barr’’s racism and anti-semitism (yes, much Barr’s political rants are “crazy”, but that is a hallmark if the right these days) and reluctance to quit the show was jarring. As a long-time “Rosanne” fan, Barr’s attraction to right-wing hate had been clear for quite a while - and was ample reason to abandon her well before the new show even aired.
4
OK... just watched Wanda’s special and it was brilliant - I am still laughing! Comedy special of the year - no, make that the last 5 years.
But I’m still puzzled about the Rosanne thing.
1
"Wanda Sykes!" A treasure.
8
Wanda Sykes is a fabulous comic with great stage presence, timing and a wonderful way of making the audience laugh with joy. She's a favorite at the Montreal 'Just for Laughs' comedy festival held each summer with lots of great performers, she's great.
9
I don't think they covered her energy, charisma, and her physicality during live performance enough. It is incredible to watch her live shows in person, that is why I have seen her twice live and front row. Modesto, CA. Hi Wanda, please come back. Comedy heaven, her expressions.
14
Wanda is a goddess!
23
Wanda Sykes is naturally hysterical.
Her voice always sounds like she wants to deservedly punch the world's everyday thoughtless, clueless narcissists on the sides of their heads.
She's a pure delight.
44
Sorry, but I've given Wanda Sykes repeated tries, but I simply find her stand-up to be offensive, not poignant, and not very funny.
6
I can't wait to see the Netflix special, and hope Netflix also sees the sense in airing her other shows. Wanda Sykes has a huge following.
24
Wanda is the best. She's been a hilarious comic for a long time. Glad to see her getting her due!
15
Had Netflix but rarely watched anything on it. But thanks for the opportunity to laugh at what's in print here. Good luck Ms. S
10
She's hilarious! I love her!
15
Loved — LOVED — her stand-up, I’ma Be Me. It’s my favorite.
20
Awesome. I get to be the first to comment. Thus, I know Wanda will see it. I LOVE Wanda Sykes. She makes me happy with her routines and isn't that what it's all about?
35
@WuB.
And I appear to be the first to recommend your comment.
Billy on.
8