Wanda Sykes Says Bill Maher Confronted Her About Golden Globes Diss: ‘It Was Clearly a Joke’

Wanda Sykes says Bill Maher confronted her after she dissed him on the Golden Globes stage in January.

Presenting the award for best performance in stand-up comedy, Sykes joked, “There’s some people pissed off that a queer Black woman is up here doing the job of two mediocre white guys … but first I want to give them some love.”

Sykes began roasting the nominees, starting with Bill Maher. “Bill Maher, you give us so much,” she said, “but I would love a little less.” The camera caught Maher staring at the stage with a slight smile, seemingly unsure how to react. “Just try less,” Sykes continued.

Speaking to Jesse David Fox for Vulture’s “Good One” podcast, Sykes said Maher stopped her after the Golden Globes as the comics were waiting for their respective cars.

“He was like, ‘What was that about?’ And I was like, ‘It’s a joke, Bill.’ He’s like, ‘Well, I mean, it wasn’t even a joke.’ I said, ‘Oh, no, I heard laughter. It was clearly a joke.'”