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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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 TV REVIEW 
27

Wanda Sykes Show: Working Hard, Hardly Working

Clichés drag down late-night debut

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(Newser) – Viewers expecting something fresh and new out of The Wanda Sykes Show—as the unlikely combination of Fox and an African-American lesbian might seem to promise—were sorely disappointed, writes Ken Tucker. The comedian and actor "is terrific: at ease and bawdy," he writes for Entertainment Weekly. But last night's premiere was "awkward: self-conscious and constrained."

The first half of the hour-long show sat better with Barry Garron of the Hollywood Reporter. He found the politically tinged late-night offering "a smart start, though it had a few potholes." As for the second half, a boozy panel discussion of not-particularly-topical topics, "You could have found more insight on Hollywood Squares."

Wanda Sykes, host and executive producer of the television show
Wanda Sykes, host and executive producer of the television show "The Wanda Sykes Show," arrives at the FOX All Star Party in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Comic actress Wanda Sykes provides sharp-tongued humor at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner with President Barack Obama as the guest of honor, in Washington, Saturday, May 9, 2009.
Comic actress Wanda Sykes provides sharp-tongued humor at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner with President Barack Obama as the guest of honor, in Washington, Saturday, May 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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Wanda Sykes interviewed on the Fox affiliate in her hometown of Portsmouth, Va.   (wvbt)

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27 comments
VIEWING:
 
drlarrymitchell
Nov 8, 09 4:02 PM CST
She works best in limited doses. Reply
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
dontlikeyou
Nov 8, 09 5:42 PM CST
There are many so-called entertainers who deserve their own show. Wanda Sykes is not one of them. She has an annoying delivery. I would rather sit and talk to a liberal for 1 hour than listen to her comedy routine.
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-5
IN RESPONSE:
Cat-Lover
Nov 9, 09 2:30 PM CST
I'd prefer listening to "DONTLIKEYOU" in that time slot. He's always good for a laugh -- sick, but good for a laugh.
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+3
DarkFrancis
Nov 8, 09 4:17 PM CST
These kinds of shows never hit the ground running. Having said that, Wanda, as good as she can be and often is (esp. on Curb) may prove a little too abrasive for many. Which is probably fine by her, but not so fine for Fox. Reply
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+1
vwsmurfy
Nov 8, 09 4:36 PM CST
That show is so gay. Reply
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-1
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