So, that’s over. The Wanda Sykes Show, Fox’s Saturday night answer to Saturday Night Live, or something, wrapped its first season last night. Wanda and producers still don’t know whether they’ll be invited back next season; there’s been no re-up order from Fox just yet, as they’re studying the ratings (dismal) and possible replacements. Does Wanda deserve to come back?
Wanda’s problem is that she’s an excellent, funny funny lady — on everything except her own show. On The New Adventures of Old Christine, at the GLAAD Awards, on Ellen, on Real Time, on The Tonight Show. But come Saturday night on Fox, everything just falls apart.
There’s the argument that Wanda needs some time to develop a following. That is true. But nobody wants to follow a show that isn’t funny. It isn’t enough to really love Wanda Sykes; adoration does not a show make. And while we appreciate Wanda’s willingness to experiment with different show segments, she has yet to find one, over the course of an entire season, that we know we just have to find on YouTube the following day.
Wanda’s show lacks the natural flow of Ellen. It lacks the saucy nature of Chelsea Lately. It lacks the name calling of Real Time. And it lacks the buzz — however undeserved — of The View.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
If Wanda wants to keep her television show, she’d be wise to spend the summer delivering webisode bits that throw absolutely everything at the wall to see what sticks. These clips don’t even have to rack up a huge number of views — they just have to show core fans, and network execs, that there is something worth coming back for. Something more than a half-funny Erykah Badu parody.
Phil Dubuque
Wanda should absolutely come back for another season. We never miss the show in our house. It’s the best way to wrap up the week ever. Wanda is the best. Keep it coming!!!
Sam
I love this show too. DVR and watch first thing Sunday.
depfox
HMMM what am I missing I hate the show and I am a huge Wanda Sykes fan :O(
undawater
She needs to ditch Keith, her sidekick. He’s not funny and brings the show to a screeching halt every time he speaks. Did you see his rant about pit bulls Saturday? I couldn’t tell if he was trying to be funny or if he’s just crazy.
valerie
yes I Wanda show should come back but instead of FOX what about the LOGO channel, I think the show definetly needs to be taken up a notch!!Keith I think maybe should be in the background,Posche ok, but definetly need a sidekick bartender, I’m available,,, Season 2 bring it on
DillonS
Renew, yes, but only after some work. I love Wanda but find the show a little flat. It just needs a little reworking and it could be great!
John Leyton
well, the thing is, Saturday Night Live ain’t funny at all. Lame skits!! I’m glad there is something on Saturday night to watch, cause SNL has been off my list since Eddie Murphy left.
Suguar
What the hell is wrong with you FOX, BRING WANDA BACK NEXT SEASON!
She has a great mix of guests which makes for entertaining and unconventional conversation. She is wickedly funny about the most mundane everyday subjects and that takes talent. I need me some Wanda and team on a weekly basis!
Tim W
I have to agree with DEPFOX. I love Wanda but the show has been major disappointing. The first few shows were horrible. Near the end of the season I saw improvement but not enough for me to not turn the channel to SNL at 11:30. This is not SNLs best work either but definitely not the worse SNL has done.
jbran
The problem right now, as I see it, is that Wanda is not great a facilitating discussion with her panel. She’s always been a great interviewee though and I think she could definitely grow into being a better host. Here’s hoping she gets the chance.
greenluv1322
The show should absolutely be renewed…I only saw about three episodes. But it’s cool it was only the first season. It’s not HBO it’s FOX so compared to SNL it’s great, I hate that show.
Hilarious
And what comedy shows started out funny?
Mad TV was horrible early on and dedicated fans are the only reason it made it long enough for the incredibly talented early cast to get the show off the ground.
SNL is horrible, aside from a few good skits that show has never really been funny.
Add that on top of the fact that Wanda’s show is basically a hybrid and you have the reason it needs time to grow.
If you want to talk about shows that aren’t funny hit up Jimmy Kimmel or Conan. They get paid a lot more than Wanda does to suck at what they do.
mark
YES bring back Wanda, her show is evolving as all comedy shows.
Scott
I’ve watched almost every episode. It had its ups and downs but I’ll continue to watch and hope it comes back. She has the potential to be another Bill Maher. I like Porsche. Replace Keith.
John Raymond Barker
I love her show. Of course, she should have a second season. She’ll work out the flaws.
I think comparing her to SNL is misguided. Her show is way more Bill Maher. With alcohol!
Chuck
Wanda should have a weekly show, but it should be on HBO so she can be honest, foul-mouthed self that makes her so great! The funny stuff gets bleeped out on Fox. They don’t deserve somebody like her!
Liane Layman
I love it and should come back.
terrence29
Argh! No! Fox just cancelled The Wanda Sykes Show – http://tinyurl.com/2wau78n
mmj
Yes! I vote for it to come back. Maybe another network will pick the show up. She’s much funnier than George Lopez talk show.
Mr Suane B. Huff
For Wanda’s eyes only, I want to tell you lets lighten up on the brother, Obama, for just another two years and concentrate on getting him back in for four more because he’ll be what we call a lame duck President and then it’s “Katy Bar the Door” baby you understand me. You see they can’t do nothing to stop our program then, other than impeachment but that would really show there hand and I personally don’t that there that crazy. So let do all we can to help him get these Democrats back in for his final four and Baby then we can “Fix Fox” you dig.
bevis
she talks to much about race and predominately promotes blacks in her show to a detriment of the quality of the show. she should focus just on being funny and entertaining and having good guests and subjects regardless of color. i bet if she was actually forced not to talk about race it would be a much more diverse and entertaining show.
shanelle
@Bevis: That show was cancelled in JULY so why you still talking about it?
boneil
I wonder who decided that the show wasn’t funny enough. I watched it every week and thought it was hilarious. They should definitely bring it back for a second season. The people at FOX are morons if they don’t bring this show back for another season.
Douglas
yes i believe that wanda sykes should be given a second chance to come back to late night i believe that the fox network did’nt give wanda a fair chance to air her show i enjoyed the first season and wanda sykes show should be overlooked by fox and brought back to late nights on saturday night