Don't say that's so gay
Wanda Sykes talks porn, hangovers & boring Canada — and we can't stop laughing
How does one prepare to interview one of the funniest working people in show biz right now?
I was a tad intimidated by my appointment to chat on the phone with Wanda Sykes, an anything-goes comedienne whose material is mused by sex, popes and weather, and who has made people reflect on Rush Limabugh's kidneys, equal rights and double mastectomies. But in real life, the sassy wisecracker is down to earth, positive and vivacious, her energy coming through with joie de vivre even through cellular soundwaves.
Sykes has done it all: Films including Evan Almighty, Monster-in-Law and My Super Ex-Girlfriend, voiceovers in Over The Hedge, The Barnyard and Rio, comedy specials, musical theater, authors books, was married to man, came out as a lesbian, wed a woman and today she's a proud mama of two — though it's mystifying that her first job out of college was with the National Security Agency.
The 48-year-old Emmy-winning dame is en route to Houston to perform a routine on Saturday night at the Bayou Music Center (formerly the Verizon Wireless Theater). And we at CultureMap were curious about what makes this sometimes controversial sister tick.
CultureMap: Before I begin, I need to make a confession: I am not sure I am qualified to talk to you — at all. I am just not that funny.
Wanda Sykes: Oh, please!
CM: But you are so I am counting on you to make me laugh, deal? Let's get this party (interview) started.
WS: (Weird noise, perhaps a laugh).
CM: Here I go (Wait: Did I just make Wanda Sykes laugh? Score!)
You are hilarious, and there's no denying that you make everyone smile. But I am wondering this: Who or what makes you laugh?
WS: Well, I am not going to fall into the trap of making a list of whos because I will forget someone, and that's not a good thing. But what makes me laugh? When I see anyone falling down, I want to crack up. I can't help it. It's crazy, it's silly —you take a silly tumble and I get the giggles.
I remember when I was in junior high — or high school — and it was snowing. I was looking out the window (from my house) watching my mom walk up to her car to go work. When she pulled on the door handle she fell right under the car, and I couldn't stop laughing.
There was my mom on the floor and I am just crying of laughter. Mean, I know. Of course she came back inside and gave me a good smacking.
CM: Was there a point in your life when you realized that hey, I am funny?
WS: I knew I was outspoken. As I kid I got in trouble for saying things I shouldn't have said.
I think it was in junior school, or high school — whatever — when I always cracked up my class. In awkward situations I could break the tension and make people laugh. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't a bad kid, I was a disruptive kid — so it was my friends and teachers who made me realize my jokes were actually funny.
CM: When you are standing in front of an audience, how much of what you do is planned and how much is strictly off the cuff?
WS: I would say 80 percent is planned though not written out. I don't have a script. It's more like I have themed chunks: I am going to do a bit of this, then that and follow with this other thing. I add stuff in the middle. So I plan, but never script.
CM: On a serious note, you've been quite outspoken about LGBT issues. Whether it's through the "That's so gay" campaign or against Proposition 8 in California — then there's cancer, childhood hunger, world peace. . .
What causes are so important to you that as a person of interest, you'd use your influence to make a difference?
WS: I guess it's just to continue the fight for equality for all — it's definitely still that. I haven't taken up new causes, my plate is full right now (laughs).
I am doing a couple of groups this year trying to help LGBT youth who have been kicked out of their homes after coming out to their families. It's just a continuation of the fight against bullying and inequality.
CM: Do you ever look at Canada and think: How come they get gay marriage and we don't?
WS: Here's the thing: Do we really want to be Canada? Canada is kind of boring, and then it has that French half — who wants that? We still want to be Americans, we just want to be the America it could be.
We have the Republicans, who didn't use to be so crazy (I shouldn't say that) or fanatic (I shouldn't say that either) or backwards. They want to make America less free in the name of religion. America is about religious freedom and not about religion infringing onto other people. That's why we have the separation of church and state.
If America holds itself accountable to what's written on the Constitution, we would have freedom and equality.
CM: Television, movies, reality shows, hosting, musicals . . . short of doing porn — which I am assuming is off the table as you are a wife to a wife and a mother of two — is there anything you are craving to do?
WS: Joel, never take porn off the table.
CM: (Snort/laughs)
WS: I do need to do more writing. I have been wanting to sit down and write a movie, but it's a time thing. I always procrastinate, start different projects and have a whole bunch half finished. . . I'd love to finish at least one of those this year.
I am looking into doing more producing for other people. This year, I wanted to get out of the country as well. I traveled to Melbourne, Australia, for a comedy festival, I'd love to go to London, South Africa. . . do more of that.
CM: Your performance is on Mother's Day weekend. Will you be with your kids? And how do you balance life as a busy comedienne and life as a mother of two?
WS: We have to do our scheduling. I have an amazing assistant that keeps me on track, and my wife is so organized. It's ridiculous how busy we all are when we look at our schedules. But we have to plan our time together because if we don't, the kids will be 16 by the time I realize and do something about it.
My show is Saturday night and on Sunday I'll fly home to be with my kids and my wife.
I'll be hung over for Mother's Day from my show — that should be good.
Wanda Sykes will perform at Bayou Music Center on May 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35.50 and can be purchased online.
