Did Wanda Sykes go too far at the WHCD when she hoped Rush Limbaugh’s kidneys would fail, or with her joke that Limbaugh might have been the final 9-11 terrorist, but he overslept due to OxyContin?
From Fox News: “Did Wanda Sykes Go Too Far at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner?”
From The Los Angeles Timesblog: “Does Sykes comedy routine deserve laughter or loathing?”
From The NY Daily News: “Obama Administration Distances Itself from Wanda Sykes’ 9/11-Rush Limbaugh Joke”
D.C. Comedy Pro Richard Siegel Reviewed Sykes Performance for WHCInsider
What is the hardest job in the country? It’s to follow President Obama. Wanda Sykes, grabbed the microphone, commanded the stage; she was bold, not over the top, brash not X-rated, cool, calm, collected and yes, very funny. She stunned the audience numerous times, as people would look around, dressed in their black tie attire, wondering if it was okay to laugh. No subject was out of bounds. Wanda knew how far to go, knew her boundaries, attacked every target, but did not get too racy nor leave any subject alone. Sykes talked about Obama’s nipples when he appears without a shirt, and of course, discussed the “legacy” of Bush, the guest who stayed in your house and got out of town before you noticed that he broke everything.
As I watched Wanda confidently address the country and the journalists, I felt like a proud parent. I have watched Wanda grow from an open mike comedienne and comedy contestant in the 80s to what she is today, a major force in comedy. Her style has changed, as in the early days her sarcasm was one of her most powerful weapons. Tonight, it was her charm, confidence and charisma that stood out.
Michael Steele, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, told WHCInsider that he thought Obama’s speech was great. Steele said he thought the ribbing was “fine and fair.”
And Wanda’s?
“Wanda is Wanda, she comes real and you got to be prepared. But there will be news made later this week, I guarantee you,” said Steele.
Asked by WHCInside whether she would hold back anything for her monologue tonight, comedian Wanda Sykes said, “I don’t think so.”
During the steady stream of red carpet arrivals at the Washington Hilton, screams and yells from star-gazers behind the velvet ropes often bewildered some of the guests. Sykes even looked taken aback at times, but made her way on into the ballroom.
Rapper and actor Ludacris says he’s looking forward to the big correspondents’ dinner tonight, and, noting that he’s been a longtime fan of Wanda Sykes (tonight’s entertainer), adds that she shouldn’t “hold back… there’s too much seriousness in this town.”
Ludarcis attended the 2006 WHCD, when Stephen Colbert was the evening’s entertainment, and said he’s taking his mom tonight,”kind of an early Mother’s Day present.”
