Wanda Sykes

“I tried theatre. I played Miss Hannigan for a short run of Annie at a regional theatre. That was fun. I enjoyed it! I enjoy theatre and have so much respect for theatre actors.”

“People - I hate to use the word 'fans' - are very respectful. It's not like I'm some pop idol or big movie star. I'm very approachable, and I love the people who enjoy me, because they react...”

“I watch Jay. I watch 'Letterman'. I flip back and forth between 'Conan' and 'Letterman', especially the top of the show for those guys.”

“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.”

“There's so many good comedians in D.C. I started hanging out with those guys. Dave Chappelle was there. Actually, Dave was too young to be in the clubs, so when his mom couldn't make it, he...”

“My worlds collide. When one things happens, it just starts a domino effect - everything else goes on.”

“I'm constantly preparing. Material hits me; I'm always writing. I go back and listen to my shows and just prepare and put my set together. But the day of, I like to have some downtime. A nic...”

“I have problems with YouTube and things like that, when you catch it mid production. If I'm doing a show and I'm working on a bit and someone's there with a phone, they record it and put it...”

“Some government workers are dedicated and work hard, but most of them are just waiting to retire.”

“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.”

“I enjoy stand-up because it has the biggest reward: instant gratification. You can hear the people laughing.”

“In '87, I used to do this awful, awful James Brown impression.”

“But sometimes the women writers will pitch something and I'll hear it, but the men will keep talking.”

“It wasn't until after the reduction that in the lab work, the pathology, that they found that I had DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) in my left breast. I was very, very lucky because DCIS is...”

“And then also I think it's harder for women because comedy is so opposite of being ladylike.”

“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 really can't pinpoint the one moment when I said I want to be a comic.”

“I had real big boobs, and I just got tired of knocking over stuff. Every time I eat, 'Oh, Lord'. I'd carry a Tide stick everywhere I go. My back was sore, so it was time to have a reduction.”

“I have a funny family, but none of them are remotely in show business.”

“The government shouldn't be involved in this because it's very simple. If you don't believe in same-sex marriage, then don't marry somebody of the same sex.”