Wanda Sykes Reveals Bill Maher Confronted Her in Parking Lot After Golden Globes Joke
What To Know
- Wanda Sykes recounts that Bill Maher confronted her in a parking lot after she made a joke about him at the Golden Globes.
- Maher expressed his displeasure with the joke, claiming it wasn’t funny, while Sykes pointed out that his reaction ironically proved the joke’s point.
Not every comedian is thrilled to find themselves on the receiving end of a punchline.
During a recent appearance on Vulture’s Good One podcast, comedian Wanda Sykes recalled an awkward encounter with Bill Maher following January’s Golden Globes ceremony, where a joke she delivered at his expense apparently struck a nerve.
Her joke was simple: “Bill Maher, you give us so much, but I would love a little less. Just try less.”
According to Sykes, Maher wasted no time in confronting her as he shared words with her in the parking lot of the awards ceremony after the event to complain about the gag, only to end up proving her point in the process.
“Oh, he stopped me out in the parking lot,” recounted Sykes. “We were waiting for our cars. And he was like, ‘What was that about?’ I was like, ‘It’s a joke, Bill.’ He was like, ‘Well, I mean, it wasn’t even a joke.’ I said, ‘Oh, no, I heard laughter. It was clearly a joke.'”
View this post on Instagram
Sykes then did an impression of Maher stumbling over his words, “He’s like, ‘But I don’t…I don’t..but, I mean, I don’t, but still…I mean, it’s not even a joke. It was just like…’ I said, ‘See? You’re doing exactly what we said in the joke! We need less of this! You epitomize the joke. Less of this!”
“He didn’t care for it,” laughed Sykes.
She explained that Maher told her he received criticism from his fans and that he was “getting a lot of texts and people are saying, ‘What was that?’ and ‘It was a stupid joke.'”
“And when he said ‘stupid,’ I said, ‘Okay, now you’re gonna get it,'” revealed Sykes. “I was like, ‘Well, I got a lot of texts telling me how great it was and how they don’t like you, and it was really funny. I guess, you know, that’s the problem. You’re watching Fox News, and I’m over here on MSNBC. See?’ And then he asked me to be on his podcast. I was like, ‘Absolutely not!'”
Conversation31 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Register or sign in to join the conversation.
-
J
For someone famous for letting famous people have it, he is himself incredibly thin-skinned, and this sounds like the most recent example. Anytime audience members boo or hiss at a comment he makes, he freaks out. He even shows dissatisfaction if they don't cheer as much as he thinks they should.
-
N
That's cuz he's a narcissist.
-
-
W
Bill got pissy during COVID when he couldn't do his "standup" and he's never been the same since. He's a grumpy old man. He doesn't like anyone and he can dish it out, but can't take it.
-
E
It was a great joke! Simple and effective. Figures he got whiny about it.
-
P
LOL, 2 thumbs down right above your post.
-
F
wrong....
-
-
L
Bill believes he has become the perfect centrist. This way, he can shit on each side. He is no longer against Trump, since the bombing of Iran. He lost me months ago when I he defended with every guest that the bombs ng of Palestine was correct, and "what genocide?". He supports Netanyahu and wants Iran leveled. He had his dinner with Trump, and tiptoes around anything Trump.
I wonder how many good comedians will show up at his "Trump-Kennedy Center" honor later this month?
-
M
There is no genocide in Gaza and, hey old timer, your map is old. Palestine is now part of Jordan, Lebanon and Israel.
-
P
No longer against Trump? Have you been watching his show???
-
-
M
Bill the insecure lost me years ago simply due to his pseudo-intellectualism.
-
S
I can't believe there was a time when I like this little creepy guy! His podcast or whatever that is is terrible. Drinking and using the FWord doesn't make you anything but a loser. He never recovered from his firing at Abc? where his show was ok. Since then,he just skirts around which I get because we all have bills. Basically, Wanda just told him to get lost. We can only wish.
-
C
Bill has become a 'whataboutist'. I gave up watching after his pontificating about students all being wrong to protest about Gaza. He's an unfunny clown trying to stay relevant playing both sides. The only thing that saves him are writers that pen jokes for him. Wanda Sykes has always been quick on her feet and funny. He's also been incredibly vile when it comes to women.
-
P
Bill, like Chelsea handler is beginning to realize he's old and washed up with zero legacy. 1 + zero is how their lives end
-
T
Maher must own a substantial piece of HBO. That’s the only way I can explain why he’s still there. Oh! And, of course, the oligarchs love him because he’s a useful tool. Any oligarch will agree to his softballs.
-
L
Maher has lost his edge.
-
K
Bill is a hoser
-
M
Such a thoughtful post, not.
-
R
A hoser. That’s probably the best description of him !
-
-
M
And of course she pussies out of being on his show. Way to back it up. Wanda psychs.
-
C
Wanda Sykes....
I haven't heard about her for years....
I'm not into 'Comedian Feuds' - it gets silly and reveals how insecure Comedians really are.
And I'll bet Wanda Sykes is going to go on her first Comedy Tour in several decades.
To me, this is like Hannah Gadsby 'calling out' Dave Chappelle - it's a way to get your name out there
-
K
several decades? i've seen her four times in the last 5 or 6 years alone...
-
-
G
Was she joking that she watches MSNBC too. No one really watches that right?
-
G
MSNBC is gone. It's called MS NOW, but I know you don't watch!
-
L
Euphemism
-
-
B
The fact that she didn't want to sit down and talk on his podcast shows who the better person is, She wouldn't stand a chance against Bill
-
R
exactly this. Why not talk it out instead of one liners? Because she is an empty headed and can’t reason with other viewpoints
-
P
Refusing to do the podcast was an easy choice. Maher would Promote the "We're settling this on the air!" show to get get a ratings boost. Why would Sykes fall for that crap? Besides, as Mr. Miagi said, "Too much advantage, your Dojo."
-
B
See The paradox of intolerance. She has no obligation nor need to defend her joke.
-
M
Yeah, Syko is a complete lightweight wokie.
-
E
What is there to discuss? Why would she give him a chance to blather more when the whole point is he's already blathering too much? He just wanted a chance to lecture at her, and that doesn't require her participation. He can do that just as impotently on his own.
-
N
Why would she appear on podcast where Maher is in control of the content. I'd say "No" too unless it was in a neutral setting where Maher doesn't control everything.
-
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services