Wanda Sykes is speaking out about a tense exchange with Bill Maher after her joke about him at the 2026 Golden Globes. In a recent appearance on Vulture’s “Good One” podcast, Sykes recalled that Maher confronted her soon after the ceremony while they were outside the venue waiting for their cars. According to Sykes, Maher immediately asked, “What was that about?” after hearing her onstage comment that the world needs “a little less” of him. Sykes said she told him it was just a joke, but Maher pushed back, saying it “wasn’t even a joke” and calling the remark “stupid.” She added that he told her he had also received text messages from other people who felt the same way.
Sykes said she responded by pointing out that Maher’s reaction proved the point of the joke. In her telling, she told him, “You’re epitomizing the joke,” and noted that she had received texts praising the moment and criticizing Maher. She also joked that the disagreement reflected a media divide, saying he was watching Fox News while she was over on MSNBC.
The comedian’s comments have since sparked strong reactions online, with many social media users siding with Sykes. Several praised her as one of the best comedians working today and argued that Maher has become overly serious and unable to take a joke. Others said the exchange showed that Maher can dish out criticism but struggles to receive it. A smaller number of commenters disagreed, saying Sykes’s remarks felt awkward or unfunny.
During the same interview, Sykes also gave her opinion on the recent Netflix roast of Kevin Hart. She said Hart had personally called her before the event was announced and invited her to participate, but she declined. Sykes explained that Hart tried to convince her it would help promote her latest comedy special, but she was not interested. After watching enough of the roast to form an opinion, she said she was glad she chose to attend a Sparks basketball game instead.
Sykes criticized the special for what she called lazy writing, saying the material felt repetitive and relied too heavily on recycled sexist, racist, and homophobic jokes. She said she felt the same way about the Tom Brady roast, suggesting that the format has become stale. The Netflix event featured comics including Shane Gillis, Chelsea Handler, Katt Williams, Pete Davidson, Tony Hinchcliffe, and Sheryl Underwood.
The conversation comes as Sykes continues to be one of comedy’s most visible names. In May 2026, she released her third Netflix special, “Wanda Sykes: Legacy,” filmed at her alma mater, Hampton University. The special follows her earlier Netflix releases, “Not Normal” and “I’m an Entertainer.” Also in 2026, her Netflix series “The Upshaws” ended after five seasons.
