Over the years, comedian Wanda Sykes -- a staunch liberal Democrat and outspoken advocate of gay marriage -- has been no friend to Republicans. So it should come as no surprise that Ms. Sykes would appear on NBC’s Today on September 6 to promote her special on the LOGO television network entitled, ‘NewNowNext Vote.’ LOGO promotes itself as a cable channel devoted to gays and lesbians.
Appearing on Today, Sykes, who is lesbian, expressed her support for gay rights, but during the promotion of her special, decided to attack Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, calling them the Eddie Haskell and Forrest Gump of politics. Eddie Haskell, a character from the 1950's sitcom Leave It to Beaver, is often considered to be the archetype for those who are insincere. [See video below break.]
On her actual LOGO special, which appeared on September 10, Sykes interviewed MSNBC host Thomas Roberts, who is also openly gay, to discuss voting. In typical MSNBC fashion, Mr. Roberts claimed that:
The one thing that’s been really interesting about Republicans and I think, one thing we didn’t get in to is that certain areas there’s voter suppression going on in the country right now. And he’s saying well if for ObamaCare you’re going to have to go get in line for the DMV, well the Republicans want to make sure that you’re in line at the DMV or you’re in line getting your birth certificate or proving that you really are an American so you can show up for your God-given right to go vote.
The highlight of the segment was when Sykes asked Roberts for which presidential candidate was going to vote this November. Roberts refused to answer, saying it was improper to do so as a journalist, prompting laughter from the studio audience.
Even friendly liberal audiences don't buy the "I'm a journalist" shtick from the folks at MSNBC.
See relevant transcripts below.
NBC
Today
September 6, 2012
8:37 a.m. EDT
NATALIE MORALES: Back now at 8:37 with award winning comedienne and actress Wanda Sykes, a woman who pulled no punches when she performed at the White House Correspondents Dinner during President Obama's first year in office.
WANDA SYKES: First black president. That's unless you screw up. And then it’s going to be what's up with the half white guy, huh? What's up with you and Joe Biden now getting hamburgers? The two of you can't hang out together. I mean whose idea was that? Nancy Pelosi’s? You can’t do that. You over there patting the Queen on the back like she just slid into home plate. Way to go, queen.
MORALES: We're still laughing about that one. Well Sykes is gearing up to moderate a series of election specials for the LOGO network called "New, Now, Next, Vote with Wanda Sykes." Wanda good morning, good to have you here. When you look back at that performance, that was three years ago or so, you were there. first black president, you're the first African-American woman set to perform before this white house correspondents dinner, also openly gay. Was all that of in your mind? Were you nervous? Did you feel the pressure?
SYKES: I was very nervous when I got the phone call to do it. But then I just approached it as I am a comedienne, you know just show up and be funny. At first I said okay I have to be, you it’s presidential, a lot of important people. And then I said, you know what, they asked for Wanda Sykes so I'm going to show up.
MORALES: Thank goodness you showed up. You gave us all a good laugh. I was there for that. Well three years later now, the Democratic platform now includes same-sex marriage equality so strides have been made but there are a lot of people in America who still don't want to go there. What do you say to them?
SYKES: You know, that's the thing, no one has given me a good reason or even a sound reason of how my marriage affects your marriage. You know? And then people get all, so uptight about it. I go, okay, when they hear "same sex," maybe they just hear the word "sex," and they’re like look at those same sex people, all they’re doing is having sex all the time, that’s all they’re doing. I bet their lives is 90% sex and 10% parades. That’s it. Sex and floats, that’s all they think about. That’s what it is. That’s why I like to say marriage equality. We're having all the fun, all the fun. Sex and parades, that's it. But I like to say that, you know, we go through the same problems and everything. And then I go, well maybe they think it’s going to be mandatory. You know, maybe they think -- I don't want a same sex marriage. Fine, you don't have to have one. It's not going to be mandatory. You know, if you don't want a same-sex marriage, then don't marry someone of the same sex. It very easy.
MORALES: You are married to your partner. And actually, a lot of people may not know, you were married to a man once, you divorced. But now you're married to Alex. And you’ve talked about the challenges of not just being black, but actually you say it's harder to be gay in America than it is to be black. And you did a little bit on this on your HBO special. So tell me about that.
SYKES: I never had to come out black. You know, I didn't have to sit my parents down and go, mom, dad, I got something to tell you, I hope you still love me, I'm black. You know. Oh, god, not black, anything but black, lord!
MORALES: Now, this election special, i know you're there, you're going to be moderating it for LOGO Television. And so I want to throw out some prominent campaign names for you. Tell me what’s your take on them. Bill Clinton. First of all big speech last night.
SYKES: A great American. One of the best speeches ever last night. He just loves this country. He's such a great president. Like I said, that speech, he is –
MORALES: Went long but didn't matter.
SYKES: I didn’t care. He could still be talking, he could still be talking. I'd listen.
MORALES: Paul Eyan.
SYKES: Paul Ryan. Eddie Haskell.
MORALES: For whatever reason. Eddie Haskell. Okay, Mitt Romney.
SYKES: Forrest Gump. He's like the Forrest Gump of candidates. You know it’s like, whatever situation he's in, he adapts. You know, it’s like he was in Michigan. He was like, you know, I like cars. He's in Wisconsin. I had a cheese sandwich. That was good. And that's it. It's whatever. He's like a chameleon.
MORALES: And he's still going and going so it's no stop mitt, right? And Michelle Obama?
SYKES: Oh, wow. I mean, her speech was incredible. She's just such a beautiful woman, a great first lady and, man, nice biceps. Beautiful.
MORALES: Oh yeah, we love those biceps. And that dress, too, right?
SYKES: Yes.
MORALES: And Barack Obama.
SYKES: That's my president. You know, I think he's doing a great job considering what he was left with and, you know, I'm not going to say who I'm going to vote for but you know I'm going to vote for Barack Obama.
MORALES: I'm guessing that just based on what we've said here so far.
LOGO Network
NewNowNext Vote with Wanda Sykes
September 10, 2012
10:00 p.m. EDT
THOMAS ROBERTS: The one thing that’s been really interesting about Republicans and I think, one thing we didn’t get in to is that certain areas there’s voter suppression going on in the country right now. And he’s saying well if for ObamaCare you’re going to have to go get in line for the DMV, well the Republicans want to make sure that you’re in line at the DMV or you’re in line getting your birth certificate or proving that you really are an American so you can show up for your God given right to go vote. So just remember that. Remember that you want to be a part of this process. And then when you are part of it, then you have every right to complain about it.
WANDA SYKES: So, what about you? Who are you going to vote for?
ROBERTS: I’m a journalist.
SYKES: I knew you was going to say that. But don’t worry I know. Well, Democrat or Republican, gay straight, transgender or bi, we are united by our love and respect for delicious flavored vodkas. Again, I want to thank my guests and especially Thomas Roberts.
ROBERTS: Thank you, I loved this.
SYKES: We will be back here on Monday, November 5th to do another one of these the day before the election. I’m going to be drinking until then. Oh, and one other thing. Vote. People say it doesn’t matter if you vote. But it’s like deciding what to eat for dinner. Do you want to feel happy and full for the next four years or be gassy and have messed up dreams. You can gyrate all you want on your pride floats so long as you gyrate into that voting booth as well.
