Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes: Turn the Safety on
By: James Buell
The cliche "good enough for government work" applies to a lot of things in this world. Wanda Sykes' sharp tongue and biting social commentary are not among them. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University, the comedienne found herself stuck in a rut working at the National Security Agency. Sykes knew she was destined for greater things, so she took a chance. One Coors Light Super talent Showcase later, a star was born.
Since entering comedy in 1987, Sykes has won two Emmy's, had her own television show (twice!), written for numerous comedy and award shows and starred opposite Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez on the big screen. Her greatest achievement, however, might just be the connection she makes with her audience every time she steps on stage. What's been described in the past as "sass" is the endearing quality that transforms Sykes from performer to best friend. Whatever it is, you can see it in person March 16th at Hard Rock Live in Orlando.
Wanda spent a few minutes with Hard Rock to talk about professional athletes talking in the third person, Tony Danza, hunting accident press conferences and - brace yourself - the possible end of the Pootie Tang franchise.
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Hard Rock: Let's start off with a little role-play. If you were out hunting with a group of friends and one of them shot you in the face, would you hold a press conference and say, "My family and I are deeply sorry for all that (insert her name) and her family have had to go through this week"?
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Wanda Sykes: I think my press conference would start right after I got shot all the way to the hospital... leaving the hospital and it would more be like, "That bitch shot me! That bitch shot me! Oh my God! I can't believe it. I'm gonna shoot her as soon as I get outta here. I'm gonna shoot her back! I swear I'm gonna shoot her! I'm gonna shoot her eight times! That bitch shot me! Look at me! I'm f*&ked up! Look at my face. She f*&ked me up! I hate her!" You know, something like that.
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HR: (laughs) Obviously I'm laughing, but when Entertainment Weekly names you one of the 25 Funniest People in America and you're a well-known comedienne and you've got that stigma behind you, do people always expect you to be funny?
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WS: They do and I usually disappoint them.
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HR: (laughs) It's been almost a year since Mitch Hedberg passed away from an apparent drug overdose. And you had Richard Pryor and Sam Kinison who also flirted with that lifestyle. What, if anything, in your mind makes comedy conducive to that type of life?
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WS: I don't know. You have to have a vice I guess. To stand up in front of a bunch of people and really think that you can alter their mood or make them laugh... comics are a little off, you know? There's a little something that's not all there with us. I think for some of us, it's how we handle that. Some of us understand it and get it. It's the same way how some people have a talent and they can sing. This is just the thing that we have. I think some of us are just... I don't know... it kind of messes with us to be able to do that. And then some of us, because of all the drug stuff and the hard life, you have to find a way to be funny and to laugh about it. Those guys had painful lives, so they found another way to deal with it too.
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HR: Does a lot of that revert back, because comedy is your career? If you were a plumber and you came home from being a plumber your husband or your wife probably wouldn't say, "Hey, can you fix the sink? Can you do this and that?" But when you're a comedian and you're out and you're well known and people are coming up to you and kind of expecting you to be funny, is there that added pressure because this is your career?
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WS: Yeah, there is an added pressure there. Sometimes you feel it, sometimes you don't. Sometimes I can be out and someone will come up and say, "Hey, say something funny." And I just say, "F&*k you!" (laughs) And sometimes I really mean it, but it comes off funny and we all laugh. Or a lot of times I'll say, "Sorry, I've got nothing right now. I stink. I'm sorry." Usually I just try to be nice and keep it moving.
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HR: I've got a little makeshift Pootie Tang fan club going here at Hard Rock. When can we expect a sequel?
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WS: Wow, you guys are going to be highly heart broken. I really doubt there's going to be a sequel. You know that Pootie Tang has cut the ponytail off?
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HR: Really?
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WS: Yeah. Ponytail is gone. He's had a couple of kids...
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HR: (laughs) This one you can feel free to not answer because I know you're a big Hollywood star now, but what the hell is going on with Tom Cruise?
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WS: (long pause) I have no idea.
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HR: You just want to leave it at that?
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WS: (laughs) Yeah.
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HR: In your act you've talked about when you were married before, but I haven't seen you linked to any men in the press lately. Have you just been biding your time waiting for a pale, lanky, 28-year-old content writer from Hard Rock to come along?
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WS: (laughs) Am I that transparent?
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HR: I feel the vibes coming across the phone.
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WS: Alright... you got me.
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HR: Better Tony Danza movie and why? The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon or Angels in the Outfield?
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WS: (laughs) Angels in the Outfield.
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HR: Is that because it had Danny Glover?
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WS: Totally.
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HR: I'm out of questions. Give the people a reason to come check you out.
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WS: I won't shoot them in the face accidentally or intentionally.
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Links
Official Wanda Sykes Website
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