Wanda Sykes has shared a rather amusing encounter with fellow comedian Bill Maher that took place after the Golden Globes. During an appearance on Vulture’s “Good One” podcast, she recounted how Maher confronted her in a parking lot following her playful jab at him during the awards ceremony.
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The incident occurred after Sykes presented the award for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes. While on stage, she made a light-hearted remark aimed at Maher, saying, “Bill Maher, you give us so much, but I would love a little less. Just try less.” Although Maher smiled at the moment, he appeared taken aback by the joke.
Reflecting on the encounter, Sykes revealed that Maher stopped her as they were waiting for their cars in the parking lot. According to her, he immediately wanted to discuss her joke. “He was like, ‘What was that about?’” Sykes recalled, adding, “I was like, ‘It’s a joke, Bill.’ He’s like, ‘Well, I mean, it wasn’t even a joke.’ I was like, ‘Oh no, I heard laughing. It was clearly a joke.’”
Sykes provided further detail about their discussion, revealing that Maher was less than pleased with her humorous comment. During the podcast, she reenacted their exchange, showcasing how she attempted to defend her joke while highlighting Maher’s reaction. “He didn’t care for it,” she mentioned with a chuckle.
Sykes delivered her remarks in a way that implied Maher might not have fully grasped the jest. She noted that he insisted, “But I don’t… I don’t… but I mean, I don’t, but still… I mean, it’s not even a joke.” In response, Sykes pointed out, “See? You’re doing exactly what we said in the joke! We need less of this! You epitomise the joke. Less of this!”
The conversation took another twist when Maher mentioned he had received a number of negative messages about her joke from others. “He said he was getting a lot of texts, and people were saying, ‘What was that?’ and ‘It was a stupid joke,’” Sykes recounted. In response to this, Sykes didn’t hold back, firing back, “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.”
In an unexpected development, Maher also invited Sykes to guest on his podcast. Sykes, however, had no intention of accepting the offer. She jokingly referred to their contrasting views, explaining, “I guess, you know, that’s the problem. You’re watching Fox News, and I’m over here on MSNBC. See?” She concluded firmly, saying, “I was like, ‘Absolutely not!’”
Sykes has been in the limelight recently, promoting her latest stand-up special, “Wanda Sykes: Legacy,” which debuted on Netflix on May 19, 2026. Despite the lighthearted nature of her banter with Maher, it does highlight the sometimes sensitive nature of comedy, especially when poking fun at fellow performers.
As of now, efforts to obtain a response from Maher’s representatives regarding the incident have not yielded any results. However, Sykes’ candidness about their parking lot discussion provides a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of comedy and the reactions it can evoke among peers.
This amusing exchange not only highlights Sykes’ sharp wit but also illustrates the complexities of navigating humour in the realm of celebrity. The incident at the Golden Globes and the ensuing conversation with Maher are likely to be talked about for some time within the industry, showcasing the blend of camaraderie and competition that exists amongst comedians.