Wanda at Large
| Wanda at Large | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by |
Lance Crouther Les Firestein Bruce Helford Wanda Sykes |
| Written by |
Lance Crouther Barton Dean Les Firestein Jennifer Fisher Alyson Fouse Brian Hargrove Bruce Helford Jack Lugar Jack Kenny Patrick Meighan Sue Murphy Dino Shorte Wanda Sykes |
| Directed by |
John Blanchard Gerry Cohen Leonard R. Garner, Jr. Katy Garretson Shelley Jensen Bob Koherr Lee Shallat-Chemel |
| Starring |
Wanda Sykes Phil Morris Dale Godboldo Tammy Lauren Jurnee Smollett Robert Bailey, Jr. |
| Composer(s) | Mathematics |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 19 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
Les Firestein Brian Hargrove Bruce Helford Jack Kenny Deborah Oppenheimer |
| Producer(s) |
Michael Attanasio Jennifer Fisher Ernest Johnson Lisa Koontz Wanda Sykes |
| Cinematography |
Gregg Heschong Julius Metoyer |
| Editor(s) | Larry Harris |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 22–24 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
Mohawk Productions Warner Bros. Television |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | Fox |
| Original release | March 26 – November 7, 2003 |
| Website | |
Wanda at Large is an American sitcom that ran for two seasons on the Fox network in 2003. The series was created by and stars comedian Wanda Sykes.
Synopsis
Sykes starred as Wanda Hawkins, an outspoken standup comic who is chosen to be a correspondent on a Washington, D.C., political talk show The Beltway Gang on WHDC-TV.[1] However, Wanda's mannerisms infuriate the show's moderators (Phil Morris and Ann Magnuson). At home, Wanda must manage her sister-in-law (Tammy Lauren), who is raising two children, Holly (Jurnee Smollett), and Barris (Robert Bailey, Jr.).
Reception and cancellation
Wanda at Large premiered on Fox on March 26, 2003, following American Idol. It gradually decreased in the ratings, premiering with 14.3 million viewers, and falling down to 10 million by the season finale. It still averaged 12.2 million for the six-episode season, however, making it the fourth highest-rated show on Fox that year out of 26, and leading Fox to renew the show. Its first-season finale aired in April 2003. In September, the show returned with new episodes in the Friday night death slot at 8:30, only to be canceled on November 7 along with the new show Luis.
During an interview with the Urbanite magazine at Georgia State University, Sykes explained that the show was only supposed to be on Friday night for an interim basis. According to Sykes, "We were told if the new night didn't work out, we would be moved to another timeslot. But, that's part of the game television execs play." She also admitted in a January 2004 interview that she wished that the series would have launched on UPN instead of Fox.[2]
Cast
- Wanda Sykes – Wanda Hawkins
- Dale Godboldo – Keith Townsend
- Phil Morris – Bradley Grimes
- Ann Magnuson – Rita
- Tammy Lauren – Jenny Hawkins
- Jurnee Smollett – Holly Hawkins
- Robert Bailey, Jr. – Barris Hawkins
The show was filmed from October 2001-June 2002, and intended to have only one season, and be picked up by The WB, and premiere on August 18, 2002 to replace For Your Love.
Episodes
Season 1
| Episode # | Episode title | Notes | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | No synopsis available. | March 26, 2003 |
| 2 | "Death of a Councilman" | No synopsis available. | April 2, 2003 |
| 3 | "Wanda & Bradley" | No synopsis available. | April 9, 2003 |
| 4 | "Alma Mater" | No synopsis available. | April 16, 2003 |
| 5 | "King Rat" | No synopsis available. | April 23, 2003 |
| 6 | "Wanda's Party" | No synopsis available. | April 30, 2003 |
Season 2
| Episode # | Episode title | Notes | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | "The Favor" | No synopsis available. | September 19, 2003 |
| 8 | "Hurricane Hawkins" | No synopsis available. | September 26, 2003 |
| 9 | "Where's Roger" | No synopsis available. | October 3, 2003 |
| 10 | "Bradley Has a Friend" | No synopsis available. | October 17, 2003 |
| 11 | "Leave Your Daughter at Home Day" | No synopsis available. | October 31, 2003 |
| 12 | "Clowns to the Left of Me" | No synopsis available. | October 31, 2003 |
| 13 | "They Shoot Reporters, Don't They?" | No synopsis available. | November 7, 2003 |
| 14 | "Back to the Club" | No synopsis available. | November 7, 2003 |
| 15 | "Twas the Knife Before Christmas" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
| 16 | "Only Built for Cuban Wandas" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
| 17 | "Plane Trip" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
| 18 | "The Unnatural" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
| 19 | "Did Wanda Say a 4-Letter Word?" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
* The unaired episodes were aired for the first time on TVOne on July 4, 2006 during the 4th of July launch marathon of the series.
Syndication
Reruns began airing regularly on July 5, 2006 on United States cable channel TV One. A marathon aired on July 4 as part of the channel's "Power to the People" July 4 weekend celebration.
Award nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | BET Comedy Awards | Nominated | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Wanda Sykes |
| Outstanding Comedy Series | | |||
| Satellite Awards | Nominated | Best Performance by an Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical | Wanda Skyes | |
| 2003 | Teen Choice Awards | Nominated | Choice TV Breakout Star - Female | Wanda Sykes |
| Choice TV Breakout Show | | |||
| Choice TV Actress - Comedy | Wanda Sykes |
References
- ↑ The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Ballantine Books. 2003. p. 1280. ISBN 0-345-45542-8.
- ↑ Huff, Dominique (2006-04-13). "Wanda does Urbanite". gsusignal.com. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
External links
- Official website
- Wanda at Large at the Internet Movie Database
- Wanda at Large at TV.com
- Wanda at Large at epguides.com