I watched a lot of comedy growing up.
— Wanda Sykes
What drives the creative person is that we see it all.
But sometimes the women writers will pitch something and I'll hear it, but the men will keep talking.
If something stinks, I say it stinks. But I try to massage it a little and not be as cutting, come behind it with a joke: Hey, I cut you deep, but now let me put a couple of stitches in you.
I'm here today because I hated everything else.
Don't bother me while I'm eating, or when I'm coming out of the crackhouse or something. Just let me get going.
I like doing a bunch of different things, being all over the place.
It seems like when I first started, people got into comedy because they wanted to be good comedians.
I'm really funny now.
I think it's because my comedy is in your face, and it comes from a place that's real.
But I think funny and talent will always win out; I mean, of course there are hurdles, but I think if you're funny you will get over all of that.
Actually, I majored in marketing and I have a bachelor of science.
I don't like doing the same material over and over again. It's not fun.
If you feel like there's something out there that you're supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it.
If you're passionate about your work, it makes the people around you want to be involved too.
It's easier to rip somebody to shreds while you're making them laugh.
It's hard to get fired from the government. You have to, like, kill people.
I guess because of my act, people think that I say things they want to say, and that they can just come up and say anything to me.
Some government workers are dedicated and work hard, but most of them are just waiting to retire.
Back then, I was doing more of my impression of what a comic is supposed to do.
I noticed recently, in the last few shows I did, that I'm starting to get people - not a large group, but quite a few people - who come to see me because they love Curb Your Enthusiasm.
A woman would pitch a joke. Nothing. Then a guy would pitch it and everybody would laugh.
I have a funny family, but none of them are remotely in show business.
I'm always thinking of stuff; I just don't sit down and write it. I come up with material more as I go along; if something funny happens, I'll make a note of it on my phone.
Men don't hear women.
I work hard. The staff and crew see how much energy I put into this project, and it makes them step up.
I'm here today because I refused to be unhappy. I took a chance.
I love Costas. He's knows too much, but he's a good guy.
I always want to go back and do stand-up; I like the freedom.
Then you had people who wanted to get into comedy just to get a TV deal.
In '87, I used to do this awful, awful James Brown impression.
Usually, there's nothing being thrown toward the stage or at me. Then I feel pretty good about it.
And then also I think it's harder for women because comedy is so opposite of being ladylike.
It wasn't until I became more confident with myself and I put myself forward instead of the jokes; at first it was put the jokes out there and I'm just behind the jokes.
