Golden Globes
Wanda Sykes Roasts Bill Maher in Awkward Golden Globes Moment
Wanda Sykes delivered one of the most talked-about moments of the 2026 Golden Globe Awards when she hilariously roasted Bill Maher to his face—only to be met with a notably unimpressed reaction. The exchange quickly went viral, cementing Sykes as one of the night’s standout presenters and reigniting debates around comedy, politics, and celebrity egos.
Wanda Sykes took the stage on Sunday, January 11, to present the award for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television, a category that included Bill Maher alongside Brett Goldstein, Kevin Hart, Kumail Nanjiani, Sarah Silverman, and Ricky Gervais. From the outset, Sykes made it clear she wasn’t holding back.
“There’s some people pissed off that a queer Black woman is up here doing the job of two mediocre white guys,” she joked, immediately drawing laughter from the audience. Then came the moment aimed squarely at Maher.
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“Just try less”: the joke that stole the show
Addressing Bill Maher directly, Wanda Sykes quipped, “Bill Maher, you give us so much. But I would love a little less. Just try less.” Cameras cut to Maher in the audience, where he appeared stone-faced and unamused—a contrast that only amplified the joke’s impact.
Social media quickly seized on the moment, with fans praising Wanda Sykes’ delivery and timing while mocking Maher’s visible discomfort. Many viewers called it one of the most satisfying celebrity roasts of the night, especially given Maher’s long-standing reputation for smug contrarianism.
Ricky Gervais gets roasted too—remotely
Wanda Sykes didn’t stop with Maher. She also took aim at Ricky Gervais, who wasn’t in attendance. “Ricky, I love you for not being here,” she joked, before adding that if he won, she’d accept the award on his behalf and thank “God and the trans community”—a pointed jab at Gervais’ outspoken atheism and controversial material about transgender people.
When Ricky Gervais was announced as the winner, Wanda Sykes followed through, accepting the award for him and delivering the tongue-in-cheek thank-you, drawing another wave of applause and online praise.
Why the moment resonated
Maher has long been a polarising figure, frequently criticised for his comments on race, religion, Israel, and his outspoken opposition to “woke” culture and DEI initiatives. His history of controversy—including using a racial slur on-air in 2017—has made him a lightning rod for backlash, particularly among younger and more progressive audiences.
That context made Sykes’ roast land even harder. For many viewers, it felt less like a playful jab and more like a long-overdue calling out—delivered with humor rather than hostility.
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A viral Golden Globes highlight
By the end of the night, Wanda Sykes’ roast of Bill Maher had eclipsed the award itself in online conversation. Clips circulated widely, memes flourished, and the phrase “just try less” began trending across platforms.
In an awards season often criticized for being predictable, Wanda Sykes reminded audiences of comedy’s sharpest power: saying exactly what many are thinking—right to someone’s face.
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