BWW Interviews: Wanda Sykes Talks Career, New Tour & Kanye's Recent Grammy Rant!

She has been called one of the funniest people in America by Entertainment Weekly and that she is. With a wit sharper than ever before, it's no mystery why Emmy Award winning Wanda Sykes is one of the best in the business. I had the chance to talk to Wanda about upcoming projects, taking care of white people, celebrity co-stars, and much more.

BWW: To start off, I saw on Twitter that you watched the Grammys. Did anyone stand out to you?

Sykes: To me overall, I give the show, like, a "C." I kind of fell asleep. I liked Usher's performance. I'm a huge Sia fan. I love Sia, I have just about all of her stuff. But the Grammy punishment, the "time out," was just a bit much. Singing to the wall of a hoarder's attic was a little out there for me.

Did you happen to see Kanye almost rush the stage?

He's nuts. He really is nuts. I just love that he is, I guess, the dictator now of what music we should and should not like and who deserves what. He's lost his mind. I bet you he hasn't even listened to Beck's album.

So you're headed back out on the road with some stops lined up in the next couple of months. What made you want to get back out on the road?

Here's the thing, I never stopped. I'm a stand-up comic. I'm always doing dates, it's just that, if I'm working on a project or I'm busy, I can't get out on the road or book any shows. Since the beginning of my career, I'm usually out for at least 10-15 dates throughout the year. If I have time, then I try to get at least 30-40 dates.

I've seen your work and it's clear you're one of the best in the business. You've even been called one of the funniest people in America by Entertainment Weekly. So where do you get your material from for your shows?

My shows and my material are grounded in reality. It's pretty much something that's either happened in my life or in the news and I start there and give you my take on it. Like right now, I'm still trying to wrap my head around my situation. I talk about it. Here I am, this proud black woman and I'm 50 and my reality is that I now take care of white people. It's ridiculous! But hey, that's my life!

What is it like to be raising small children at your age?

It's tiring, it really is. My son and daughter were going downstairs. My son, you know, he sits down and goes down the stairs really fast on his butt and is like, "Watch! Watch this Mommy!" and I'm like, "Oh my God!" and then my daughter does it and they're both at the bottom of the stairs saying, "You do it!" and I just started laughing. If I slid down that stairway on my butt, you would hear a vertebra crack on each step. I would just be a crumbled mess at the bottom of the stairs. It definitely keeps me in shape, but it's crazy, the energy level they have.

Is there an avenue of the business you haven't tackled yet? Maybe Broadway?

I tried theatre. I played Miss Hannigan for a short run of Annie at a regional theatre. That was fun. I enjoyed it! I enjoy theatre and have so much respect for theatre actors. But I don't know if it would get to me, doing it night after night. With eight shows a week and a long run, I'm not sure. I would need something a little more improv so I could switch it up and play around with it.

In your 20 years in the business, if you had to name a highlight of your career, what would it be?

There's a tie. I would have to say the first time I won an Emmy, and that was as a writer on THE CHRIS ROCK SHOW. To stand on that stage with all those guys as the only woman up there, that was pretty cool. Also, the White House Correspondents' Dinner. To be at the first one for President Obama, that was pretty cool.

You've hosted the White House Correspondents' Dinner before which is a pretty tough crowd...would you ever host the Oscars?

That's just a thankless job. Do they really want to be picked on? Do they really want to laugh? That night is not about you at all. It's about these people and their movies and producers. I don't know, I don't think so. Because when I perform, I want to perform for people who are there to have fun and [who are] there to see me. It has nothing to do with me. They should just get a traffic cop to come through, just keep the show moving.

Has there ever been a joke you've said that you regretted?

I'm sure there has been. There's probably one about every other show. I can't dwell on it though. I'm not mean-spirited. It's usually fun and gets a big laugh. But it's me. Later on I go, "I don't feel good about that one. I won't do it again" and go from there.

In your career, what other comedians have you looked up to?

There have been so many. I grew up watching all the variety shows. I know Moms Mabley was definitely an inspiration for me. George Carlin. Of course, Richard Pryor. Bill Cosby, he's a great storyteller. Joan Rivers, especially when she hosted The Tonight Show and had her own show. Whoopi Goldberg too.

Any new projects coming up you want to tell us about?

Right now I'm recording Ice Age 5. My production company has a few things in the works that have things going on that are too early to talk about. Alpha House is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and we're waiting to see if there will be a Season 3!

To wrap up I want to do a "Quick Fire Round", I'm going to name some celebrities you've worked with and I just want you to tell me the first thing that comes to mind.

Larry David?

Annoying

Jennifer Lopez?

Beautiful

Oprah?

Powerful

"Alpha House" Cast?

A mess!

Chris Rock?

Funny

Kevin Hart?

Short!

To learn more about Wanda Sykes, what projects she has coming up or to see when she's coming to your town you can visit www.wandasykes.com

PHOTO CREDIT: Roger Erickson

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