Wanda Sykes isn’t just a comedian who happens to be on TV. She’s a structural pillar of American sitcom history. If you’ve turned on a screen in the last thirty years, you’ve heard that voice—raspy, skeptical, and usually about two seconds away from calling out someone's nonsense. Honestly, it’s hard to find a corner of the industry she hasn't touched. From writing for the legendary The Chris Rock Show in the late 90s to carrying a multi-season hit on Netflix right now, she’s basically a masterclass in how to stay relevant without ever losing your edge.
People usually associate her with stand-up. That makes sense. She's one of the best to ever do it. But if you look closely at wanda sykes tv shows, you see a pattern of high-quality, long-running projects that don't just fill time—they actually change the culture.
Take The Upshaws.
It’s 2026, and we are still talking about this show. Why? Because it’s a throwback that feels modern. It’s a multi-cam sitcom with a laugh track, a format many critics claimed was dead. Wanda didn’t just sign on to act; she co-created it with Regina Y. Hicks. She plays Lucretia Turner, the wealthy, biting sister-in-law who spends most of her time trading insults with Mike Epps. It’s glorious. It’s also one of the few shows that captures a working-class Black family in the Midwest without feeling like a caricature.
The Shows That Built the Legend
Before she was Lucretia, Wanda was Barb. If you missed The New Adventures of Old Christine, you missed a golden era of 2000s comedy. She played opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and the chemistry was electric. Barb was the dry, grounded best friend who could dismantle a whole room with just a look.
But let’s talk about the weird stuff. The stuff that shouldn't have worked but did.
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- Crank Yankers: She voiced Gladys Murphy. If you haven't seen a puppet version of Wanda Sykes making a prank call about a "breadstick" emergency, have you even lived?
- Wanda at Large: This was her own Fox sitcom back in 2003. It didn't last forever, but it proved she could lead a network show.
- The Wanda Sykes Show: A late-night talk show on Fox. It was experimental and bold. Maybe too bold for 2009, but it paved the way for the more diverse late-night landscape we see today.
She’s always been willing to take the "supporting" role and make it the most memorable part of the series. Look at Curb Your Enthusiasm. She plays a version of herself. Every time Larry David does something incredibly awkward or offensive, Wanda is there to say exactly what the audience is thinking. "Larry, what are you doing?"
It’s a simple formula. But nobody does it better.
Why The Upshaws is a Different Kind of Hit
Most people get it wrong when they compare The Upshaws to 90s sitcoms. Sure, the structure is familiar. But the writing is sharp in a way those old shows weren't allowed to be. It deals with "break babies," incarceration, and financial struggle without losing the rhythm of the jokes.
Wanda’s production company, Push It Productions, is behind it. This isn't just a paycheck for her. She is in the writer's room. She's shaping the narrative. In 2026, the show has survived the "great streaming purge" of the early 20s because it has a loyal, massive audience that actually shows up.
A Career of Voice and Vision
We can't ignore the voice acting. It’s a massive part of her TV footprint.
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She's Gregoria the Gargoyle in Vampirina. She’s the Queen of Fables in Harley Quinn. She’s Phee Genoa in Star Wars: The Bad Batch.
There is something about her cadence that just fits animation. It's expressive. It's loud. It’s undeniably hers. You can be in the other room, hear three words, and know exactly who is talking. That kind of brand recognition is rare.
The Emmy Connection
Wanda has over 15 Emmy nominations. That’s not a typo.
She won her first in 1999 for writing on The Chris Rock Show. Since then, she’s been nominated for her guest roles in Black-ish (where she played the iconic Daphne Lido) and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (playing the real-life comedy legend Moms Mabley).
Daphne Lido was a masterclass in guest acting. She was the ex-wife of the agency’s founder, coming in to shake things up with a mix of corporate ruthlessness and pure chaos. It was the perfect use of her energy.
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What’s Happening Now?
If you're looking for wanda sykes tv shows to watch right now, your first stop is Netflix for The Upshaws. It’s the meat and potatoes of her current work.
But don't sleep on History of the World, Part II. Working with Mel Brooks is a "bucket list" item for most comedians, but Wanda helped lead the charge as a writer and star. It’s absurd. It’s hit-or-miss, as all sketch shows are, but when it hits, it’s the funniest thing on television.
She’s also back on the road. Her 2026 tour is hitting major cities like San Jose, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia. Seeing her live gives you a different perspective on her TV work. You realize that the timing you see in The Upshaws isn't luck. It’s a muscle she’s been flexin' for decades.
How to Catch Up on the Essentials
If you want to dive deep, here is the roadmap:
- Start with the Guest Spots: Watch her episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm. They are short, punchy, and hilarious.
- The Sitcom Era: Find The New Adventures of Old Christine. It’s a bit harder to find on streaming sometimes, but it’s worth the hunt for her and Julia Louis-Dreyfus alone.
- The Current Reign: Binge The Upshaws. Start from Season 1. The character growth—especially for Mike Epps’ character—is surprisingly deep for a sitcom.
- The Specials: Her Netflix special I'm An Entertainer is the bridge between her stand-up and her television persona.
Wanda Sykes has managed to do the impossible: she’s a veteran who feels like a contemporary. She isn't coasting on old jokes. She’s out here competing with 20-year-olds on TikTok while running her own production empire.
If you're looking for a specific show to start with tonight, go with The Upshaws Part 6. It’s the most recent iteration of her genius, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
To truly appreciate her range, your next step is to watch her 2019 special Not Normal. It provides the political and social context that informs almost all of her scripted TV writing today. You’ll see the DNA of her Upshaws characters in her stand-up bits, making the viewing experience much richer.