became a household name over the last decade with scene-stealing turns on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” — as creator Larry David’s sassy, foul-mouthed comedian buddy — and the now-syndicated sitcom “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”
But Sykes’ stand-up and writing have always been the bedrock of her career. She won her first Emmy in 1999 for her work on “The Chris Rock Show” and nabbed three more in the next decade for her appearances on “Inside the NFL.” Between her groundbreaking late-night talk show on Fox and her LGBT activism, Sykes has always been outspoken and ambitious, and she’s gearing up for yet another stand-up special.
We caught up with her over the phone recently in advance of her two concerts at the tonight.
Q: It’s been almost three years since your last HBO special, “I’ma Be Me.” Is this tour your way of warming up for the next special?
A: Yeah, you start off and tour and hit the clubs and do the theaters, and when you feel like you got it together, you shoot the special. It’s hard to say when I’ll (shoot it), so it depends on how it goes. I’ll say it’s maybe 60 percent there?
Q: Is there any kind of theme emerging in the current set?
A: Not really. If a topic hits me I’ll start going on it. But you can’t force it.
Q: Is it tough staying focused on stand-up between all your other projects?
A: Yeah, I’ve got so many things going on. I’m doing “Ice Age 4,” and I’m really excited about that. The story that they have for my character (Granny) is really funny.
Q: I’m sure your twins will dig that when they see it. Or will they even be old enough to appreciate it?
A: They’ll be 3 when this comes out. They’ll probably look at the screen and then look back at me and look at screen and be like, “What?”
Q: Of all your roles, what do most people recognize you from?
A: It’s funny, I get Biggie Shorty from “Pootie Tang.” I get some from “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and then from my special, because people love Esther (her joke name for her gut). They love my fat roll. “Where’s Esther?” they yell. And it tells me something about each person. Like if they say “Pootie Tang,” I know they smoke weed.
Q: A lot of people don’t know that you’ve won four Emmys. How much do awards mean to you?
A: It’s a cool thing to have on your shelf. People come in and see them and go “Oooh. …” That’s friends and family. But anyone who’s coming to your house to do some work or quote you on a job, when they see the Emmy, your price is going to go up. I learned that from experience. Like, “Damn, I got the Emmy quote. Next guy that comes in, I’m gonna hide my Emmys!”
Q: People are quick to categorize folks by gender, race and causes. And when people talk about you I always hear “first black female late-night host,” or “first black woman to emcee the White House Press Correspondents’ Dinner.” Does that bother you?
A: People are going to label you anyway, but the one that bugs me the most is when they say, “One of the funniest female comedians.” There’s s no “funniest male comedians.” You’re either a funny comedian or you’re not!
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
WANDA SYKES. Stand-up comedy. 8 p.m. (sold out) and 10 p.m. today. Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place.$45.50-$55.50.866-461-6556 or
