The 2026 Golden Globe Awards, held on January 11 at the iconic Beverly Hilton, delivered not just glitz and glamour but also a dose of sharp, unfiltered comedy, courtesy of Wanda Sykes. The celebrated comedian took the stage to present the award for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television—a category packed with heavyweights and, as it turned out, ripe for Sykes’ signature roasting.
Before she even got to the nominees, Sykes set the tone for the evening with a self-aware quip that underscored both her identity and the shifting landscape of awards show representation. According to Decider, she greeted the audience with, “And shoutout to the Golden Globes for having me because you know this, but people pissed off that a queer Black woman is up here doing the job of two mediocre white guys.” The crowd responded with laughter and applause, a sign that Sykes’ brand of humor—blunt, playful, and topical—was exactly what the night needed.
Sykes then pivoted to praise host Nikki Glaser, urging the audience to “give [her] some love,” before diving straight into her comedic takedown of the nominees. The list was a who’s who of modern stand-up: Bill Maher, Brett Goldstein, Kevin Hart, Kumail Nanjiani, Sarah Silverman, and Ricky Gervais. Each got their moment in Sykes’ crosshairs, but it was Maher and Gervais who bore the brunt of her sharpest barbs.
Turning to Maher, Sykes delivered a line that would quickly make the rounds online and in entertainment columns: “Bill Maher, you give us so much, but I would love a little less. Just try less.” Cameras caught Maher’s reaction—a mix of surprise and bemusement—as the audience roared. The Daily Beast noted that Sykes’ joke came just after Maher’s show received a two-season renewal, making the timing all the more cutting.
Next up was Brett Goldstein, whom Sykes teased for his “great supervillain voice” and “charm,” suggesting, “You would’ve made a great Menendez brother.” Kevin Hart, the “richest guy in this category,” was, in Sykes’ words, the one who wanted the award “the most,” earning him the title of “a true American.” Kumail Nanjiani got a nod for “proving male comedians can be funny without being chubby,” while Sarah Silverman was ribbed for her supposed friendship with Sykes—“We haven’t talked in five years, but we are so close.”
But it was the absent Ricky Gervais who became the centerpiece of Sykes’ presentation. Gervais, known for his biting humor and previous stints hosting the Globes, has been at the center of controversy over jokes in his stand-up specials about transgender people. His 2022 Netflix special, SuperNature, drew criticism from LGBTQ advocates, and Gervais has publicly pushed back against accusations of transphobia. As The Daily Beast reported, Gervais once explained, “Most offense comes from people who mistake the subject of a joke with the actual target. And they’re not necessarily the same.” He added, “That would suggest that you can never make fun of a trans person for any reason. Even if it had nothing to do with their trans-ness.”
Sykes, well aware of the controversy, didn’t shy away. “Ricky Gervais, I love you for not being here,” she joked, before adding, “No, I love you, Ricky, because if you win, I get to accept the award on your behalf—and you’re going to thank God, and the trans community.” The line, referencing both Gervais’s atheism and the ongoing debate about his material, landed with the audience and set up a memorable moment for later in the night.
When the envelope was opened and Gervais was announced the winner for his latest Netflix special, Mortality, Sykes made good on her promise. “Ricky Gervais!” she exclaimed, “He would like to thank God, and the trans community.” The joke, both a jab and a nod to the swirling discourse around Gervais, capped off a segment that was equal parts funny and provocative.
The other nominees—Maher for Is Anyone Else Seeing This?, Silverman for Postmortem, Nanjiani for Night Thoughts, Hart for Acting My Age, and Goldstein for The Second Best Night of Your Life—each received their share of the spotlight, but it was the interplay between Sykes’ commentary and Gervais’ absence that defined the evening. According to Variety, Sykes relished the opportunity to accept the award on Gervais’s behalf, having joked earlier, “I love you, Ricky, but if you win, I get to accept the award on your behalf, and you are going to thank God and the trans community.”
The ceremony itself was a showcase of both comedic talent and the evolving nature of awards shows. As Decider reported, the night was filled with memorable moments—not just from Sykes, but also from host Nikki Glaser, who took aim at Hollywood royalty and media figures alike. The big winners in other categories included Hamnet (Best Drama), One Battle After Another (Best Musical or Comedy), The Pitt (Best TV Drama), The Studio (Best TV Comedy), and Adolescence (Best Limited Series). There were surprises, snubs, and plenty of backstage intrigue, but the stand-up comedy award segment stood out for its mix of humor and social commentary.
What made Sykes’ presentation so effective was her ability to balance biting jokes with a sense of camaraderie. Her remarks about her own presence on stage—“people pissed off that a queer Black woman is up here doing the job of two mediocre white guys”—underscored the ongoing conversations about diversity and representation in entertainment. Yet, she never let the mood get too heavy, instead using laughter as both a shield and a spotlight.
For Gervais, the win for Mortality marked another high point in a career defined by both acclaim and controversy. His absence from the ceremony did nothing to diminish the impact of Sykes’ words, and if anything, it amplified the ongoing debate about the boundaries of comedy and the responsibilities of comedians in the public eye.
As the Golden Globes continue to evolve, embracing new voices and reflecting the shifting tides of culture, moments like Sykes’ stand-up award presentation serve as a reminder that comedy—at its best—does more than entertain. It challenges, provokes, and, occasionally, brings a room full of Hollywood’s finest to the edge of their seats, wondering what will be said next.