Wanda Sykes debut shows possibilities and pitfalls in new late night scene

This may not sound like high praise. But comic Wanda Sykes' debut Saturday of her new late night talk show on Fox was distinguished mostly by the fact that it didn't suck out loud.

If you've watched any other new talk show debut -- Jay Leno's new 10 p.m. show and Jimmy Fallon's new 12:30 a.m. show this year come to mind -- you know that's a bigger feat than it might seem. Successful talk shows most often are a painful, public trial and error exercise; a slow march from mediocrity to something more, as the performer and the format evolve over time to their fullest potential.

Debuting Saturday with a pre-taped piece making fun of conservative pundit Ann Coulter's ridiculously long eyelashes, the show's first 10 minutes offered a machine gun-quick sample of the show's strongest assets; Sykes' taste for amusing taped bits (later, she would try to recycle her used sex toys), an explicit-yet-somehow not seedy sense of humor and an unerring standup comedy style which saved a lot of borderline moments.

Noting that Obama didn't start illegal wars or torture detainees in a secret prison, Sykes promised to be the "first person on Fox not to pick on President Obama," comparing people who accuse the president of doing too much to bosses on a union job.

Later, after showing a montage of pundits downplaying the Dow Jones average crossing 10,000 points, she told them exactly what to kiss, cementing her status as the self-appointed "tell people where to go and what to kiss czar" for the Obama White House.

What worked: Sykes's monologue, the pre-taped bits -- which end when the joke is made, unlike Leno's -- Sykes' own comfort onstage and ability to segue between a blizzard of segments.

What didn't work: Sidekick Keith Robinson, who I have seen open for Sykes on tour and know is a really funny standup comic, could not find his voice, mostly looking like a lame safety net; the panel discussions with Sykes' friends at the "Wandabar," which were centered on trite topics and didn't give participants (Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan, Brothers star Darryl Mitchell and 24 co-star Mary-Lynn Rajskub) room to be funny; handing drinks to panelists, because you always think things are funnier than they are when you're tipsy -- unless the TV audience gets drinks too, it's rarely a good idea.

But Sykes made a powerful, interesting start, even getting New Adventures of Old Christine co-star Julia Louis Dreyfus to show for a quick scene. Now the challenge is to keep the party going every week, getting better enough that this debut looks like a pit stop on the way to a classic late night series.

Check it for yourself below:

Comments

[Dick Weed]

Forget her politics. She's not at lal funny. Lucky to be working, right Eric?

[Trevor]

No, Eric. You're off base. Most people know that Jon Stewart does mostly political material. Further, George W. Bush is not a hero.

The issue is, the public is TIRED of so many traditional entertainers (i.e. performing without politics) now lacing their acts with their own political beliefs.

[Eric Deggans]

What's obvious to me is that conservatives didn't like the way she made fun of their heroes -- which she has been doing in her standup act for many years.

Not sure what you expected -- but it reminds me of the conservative audience member at the Tampa bay Performing Arts Center who got upset when Jon Stewart made several disparaging jokes about George Bush.

Hadn't he ever heard of the Daily Show?

[Bob]

You'll notice from the comments that regular folks are getting weary of entertainers' insistence on frontloading and overloading their acts with (usually Far Left liberal) political messages.

What's getting thick is the space between some entertainers' ears. They think it's "edgy" or "brave" or something to beat up on a politician who's been out of office for nearly a year.

Nope, it's just following the party line -- and, worse, for entertainers, it's boring and repetitive, and turns off people during a time when they can't afford to do so.

Think Wanda and the others will get the picture? Or are they too dim to understand?

[tom acmann]

Comedians must remember that I want to be ENTERTAINED and not lectured to. If I want political analysis, I go to FOX or CNN. Ms. Sykes is now on a list of entertainers who I no longer enjoy, because they couldn't stick to entertaining. Tell her to say hi to Chris Rock, Rosie O'Donnell, John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Robert Redford, and Kanye West--who is not an entertainer, just an idiot.

[Conservative Tom]

Eric, You know what the bummer for me? Wanda is funny. The problem for these entertainers, artists, etc.. is when they become political it can just kill the vibe. People want to be entertained to ESCAPE the crappy reality we sometimes face. So when I pony up $100 for Sprinsteen or any righty for that matter: I think SHUT UP and perform. AND NEVER GO BACK TO SEE THAT ARTIST AGAIN.

[oldsmarjohnny]

I can't believe she didn't mention her "wife" once!

[Sissy]

I love Wanda Sykes, but was highly disappointed in her new show that we was so looking forward to. We didn't expect it to be an all Obama show, but that's all it was for the first 20 minutes, tell we changed stations.

[Trevor]

Wanda brings it on herself by doing a LOT of Bush bashing and Obama worshiping in her material. The public is quickly tiring of newspapers, actors, comedians, musicians, and etc. telling us who's "bad" and who's "good" based on their own political beliefs.

[Adam]

Google how many shows Wanda has tried to helm and how many have gotten canceled. Wanda is good in small doses. She's a bench player on someone elses team.

[Cathy]

So what, now every so-called comedian can get a late night show? How about looking at someone who actually has talent and giving them a show. It used to be that talent was a requirement in all areas of show business. Today all that is required is a foul mouth and being liberal.

[Eric Deggans]

Because, when conservatives fail, they never blame liberals in media for their problems?

The hypocrisy -- or something else -- is getting al ittle thick in here....

[Trevor]

Good points, Rick. Isn't it ironic that she's on the sister network of Mr. Obama's self-appointed nemesis? She'll fail and somehow blame Bush, like you say.

[drinklime]

shes way better than fallon

[Rick]

Call me crazy, but when Wanda's half-funny show is canceled, there's a good chance she'll try to blame Bush. She blames him for everything else.

Alert: Obama (not W) is president of the Recession and Afghanistan and Iraq and auto company bailouts.Zzzzzzz.

[Lin Young]

I didn't see her show, I just don't watch FOX and hadn't realized it was on. But I'm not surprised her opening show was a success. Wanda Sykes has a tremendous sense of humor and flawless timing. I've never seen her not be funny. But there is always an underlying truth to whatever she is poking fun at and maybe that is her key. She manages to tilt things just enough to let you see what she thinks is so funny about something. I think she is a classic comedian who will be known someday as one of the all-time greats.

[Eric Deggans]

Call me crazy...but ui have a feeling your dislike for her show has more to do with her politics than her performance.

I've seen a review in the Hollywood Reporter which essentially agrees with what i said. But if you think she's not funny, then you and i will just have to agree to disagree...

[MrNiceGuy]

Funny... This is the first review out of about 20 I have read that claims that her show "didn't suck out loud". She is still not funny, but I heard that she is going to receive some economic stimulus from Obama since she kissed his behind all night. Blah.

[Mary]

I didn't see the show but hope it makes it - have always liked her sense of humor...Go Wanda!