It was a performance that even liberal bomb-thrower Keith Olbermann said was over the top immediately after the fact [1] – the May 2009 White House Correspondents' Dinner, which Wanda Sykes took some harsh digs at conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh. [1]
However over a year later, the comedienne shows no remorse for her remarks about Limbaugh. She appeared on the Aug. 25 broadcast of CNN's “Larry King Live” and revisited the occasion, which she said she hoped Limbaugh's “kidney failed” [2] since he wanted President Barack Obama to fail, even though that part of her attack on Limbaugh was conspicuously missing from the CNN highlight reel. Nonetheless, King asked her if she went too far, and Sykes said no.
Sykes went on to explain she did get a little pushback from Limbaugh supporters. But, she also made some judgments about Limbaugh – claiming that his brand of conservatism had little to with what was best for society. Instead she said it was all a self-serving measure, taking advantage of “poor people” to hold on to his own wealth.
“I did get a nasty note,” Sykes said. “But, you know, who cares, you know? Who cares? You know, here's the problem: Rush Limbaugh is a filthy rich guy. And he's playing on the emotions of poor people. He's telling poor people that, hey, you know, Obama's going to take this, take that away from you. And really he's just worried about his own pockets. That's it. He's just a big bully. I don't think I went too far at all.”
Sykes' brief run at late-night talk ended recently. Back in May, FOX canceled her Saturday night show [3], “The Wanda Sykes Show,” after it struggled in the ratings. However, she has been nominated [4] for two Emmys for her HBO stand up “I'ma Be Me.”
Like this article? Sign up for "Culture Links," CMI's weekly e-mail newsletter, by clicking [5]here. [5]
<?xml:namespace prefix = u1 />