MovieChat Forums > Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired (2006) Discussion > A Different Perspective: Mixed Feelings

A Different Perspective: Mixed Feelings

posted 17 years ago by danesnowden
9 replies | jump to latest

I recently had the opportunity to view "Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired", and my opinion of it may differ from those of other viewers. I wouldn't say that it was all that funny (it was just okay, in my opinion; Wanda has been funnier, with "Curb Your Enthusiasm", "Wanda at Large", "Monster-in-Law", "The New Adventures of Old Christine" amd "Evan Almighty"). However, I would agree with her points of view on the naming a dog after her (I wouldn't want that), not wanting to deal with a bratty and chatty child seated next to her on a plane (she ate him after the plane went down - good), the current war, abortion, our President, and how society treats individuals differently in certain situations (the bit with the racist dolphin - I'm not so sure, but then again, it's just a comedy routine). Also, a nice touch with the use of "free-basing" as an excuse for a fire started by a mouse that ran back into a house after being thrown into a pile of burning trash - now, that's creativity!

I would take issue on two things, however:

1) the idea that space exploration, or those involved with it (i.e., the "smart" people from NASA) does not have anything to offer the mainstream society. If this is so, then I guess Wanda does not want to have access to the Internet, laptop or personal computers, calculators, a cell phones (up to and including the new I-phone), a home security system, or, for people to see her shows via satellite. All of these are benefits from the space program, as this program used that technology before anyone else, and then handed it down to other sectors of society for refining and overall benefit. For future reference, I would recommend that Wanda and her production company research certain matters before bringing them in as topics for comedy routines. For the space program, all it takes is to Google "Benefits of Space Exploration" (oops, the ability to do this very act is also one of the benefits), and a myriad of topics can be found. Maybe Wanda can use the opportunity to correct herself in a future stand-up appearance.

2) The idea that men can cause women to think about the unspeakable things that they would like to to to them - daily. This would work except for the fact that not all men are inconsiderate, lazy, inattentive, or bad performers in bed. I would have liked to hear Wanda say a word or two about all of the good men out there who do meet the needs of women, and to encourage the women in the audience to seek them out, and the men in the audience to keep at it if they're doing good by their women, or to work on it if they are not, or they could lose the women they love. I also would have liked to hear Wanda say something about women who tend to have similar shortcomings. Wanda also mentions being married for 6 years (I'll assume it ended) - the viewer could be left opting to ask either "What happened?" or "Gee, I wonder why?", based on the content of the performance here. The view on this topic: far too one-sided, broad-brush, scattershot, and needlessly harsh - but then again, that's just Wanda Sykes doing her thing.

Just some food for thought. Remember, that not everyone will look upon this DVD or any other movie favorably across the board. As this discussion area is for all points of view, I would appreciate it if mine were respected, as that is what I am going to do for all those who did enjoy "Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired." As I said before, it was just okay, but that does not mean that I lack a sense of humor (one of many sentiments that I expect from those who may reply to this thread). For anyone who replies to my string, please do not disparage my opinion - I wouldn't do that to any of you. Thank you for your cooperation, in advance.

[–] nakedna-1 17 years ago

I agree with both your points...for me these were the only two topics that fell a little flat. I think that in general(of course with many exceptions)women are less excited by the idea of exploration and more interested in day-to-day practical things than men are. This is even supposed to be the reason baby boys get wrapped in blue blankets while girls get pink. Pink supposedly symbolizes the flesh of the physical body while blue symbolizes the higher plane of the sky.
I actually care whether Mars once had life even if knowing won't put food in my mouth. Hell, I even want to know how big the universe is and how it got here and where it's going. Many women I've met couldn't care less. Not only couldn't many of them name the planets in our solar system, a surprising number (with college degrees no less) didn't even know our sun was a star! I guess it takes all kinds though. We need some people with their feet planted firmly on the ground so that others of us can have our heads in the clouds.

I also agree that she lumps all men together which is wrong...but humor always exaggerates and stereotypes. I just was a little turned off by all the violent fantasies she talked about. Humor has to be based somewhat on reality to be funny and since I don't share these similar urges to cause physical harm but I know many people do, instead of finding it hilarious, it just made me a little sad.
Other than that though I love everything about Wanda's routine. Her delivery is sensational...her attitude is refreshing...her stories are extremely well thought out and her timing is flawless. She's the total package!

[–] comawhite015 17 years ago

Hello. Take comedy way too seriously much?

"To be equal you have to add or subtract. And I have never liked math." - Marilyn Manson.

[–] danesnowden 17 years ago

No. I already knew that the whole thing was a comedy routine, thank you very much. I can respect your reaction to my posting, as it is your right to place it on this message board in the first place. However, comedy routine or otherwise, I simply thought her other work was funnier - to me, this one was just okay, and there's nothing that you or anyone else can say or do to change that perspective. To be fair, I viewed the routine twice, with an open mind, to make sure that I did not miss anything - I just couldn't find it as funny as Wanda's other stints (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Wanda Does It, The New Adventures of Old Christine, etc.). Given that I found her other work funny, it would be hard to establish that I "take comedy way too seriously", as you speciously imply in your posting.

I do not plan to disparage anyone who enjoyed "Wanda Sykes Sick and Tired" - it is the collective right of such persons to do so, and to place these feelings on the message board. All I ask is that these same persons, yourself included, understand that not everyone will view the comedy routine in the same fashion, and that such persons have the same right to express sentiment against it as those who enjoyed it have to express their views for it. Let's just try to play fair on this, okay?

[–] comawhite015 17 years ago

Jesus christ! Take EVERYTHING way too seriously much?

:P

"To be equal you have to add or subtract. And I have never liked math." - Marilyn Manson.

[–] danesnowden 17 years ago

Again, no! I've simply tried to reason with you here, and your somewhat disparaging comments make it very difficult for me to do this. If you had read the initial posting, I politely asked for those responding to the posting not to do that, as I would not do that to any of them - and I'm still not going to. Just because I did not find "Wanda Sykes Sick and Tired" as funny as her other routines and additional roles does not at all mean that I am taking this routine - or everything (there you go again, implying) way too seriously, that I completely lack a sense of humor, or, am "wound too tightly" (the last two are mine). You have the right to your opinion, as does everyone else.

We could debate this matter all day, but I really don't have the time. All you and others need to know is that I will sometimes disagree with the content of some movies as a whole, but unlike many persons with this mindset, I try to be polite and respectful about it. Sadly, I see that you are unable to do the same here - apparently.

[–] TheRealBambi 17 years ago

1. Space exploration has nothing to offer me except Tang

2. Men cause me to think about the horrible things they do and have done to me and my children. Hence, I like the idea of the pussy removal feature on a woman.

3. I just don't give a *beep* what you think (as per Wanda's mantra in her DVD). This is not a disparage of your opinion .. I just don't give a *beep*

Hopefully, you don't give a *beep* what I think of your opinion ... if that's the case, there's hope for you yet.

Bambi

<")
( \~

[–] danesnowden 17 years ago

You're absolutely right about one thing, at least: I really don't give a damn (let's just say it) about your opinion either, but it is your right to post it, as it is for everyone else.

Also, your opinion will not change the facts about the space exploration benefits point that I mention in my original post, nor will it change my overall opinion of the "Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired" DVD - it was just okay.

Be grateful that not all men will do horrible things to women, children, or other men, for that matter; I had no opinion at all about the removable pussy feature - I chalked that up to Wanda Sykes just being Wanda Sykes.

I don't expect my opinion, whether you give a damn about it or not, to change your not giving a damn about it (or not). Opinions on this DVD and all other movies are going to vary from person to person, and whether or not you or anyone else cares about these varied opinions does not change them, nor does it stop them from coming - in short, there isn't a damned thing you or anyone else can do about it, whether you even give a damn or not, except let the opinions keep coming - and they will, whether you or anyone else likes it or not. It is each person's choice not to give a damn, but the opinions will still be there; those giving the opinions are not likely to care whether you or anyone else gives a damn about their opinions or not. The best we can all do is deal with the varied opinions that exist about this DVD or other movies in a civil fashion. If we can all do that, then there's even greater hope for all of us as a whole.

[–] chsdragonsax 16 years ago

wow! it was a COMEDY show. they are supposed to be funny like that, even if the comedian doesn't necessarily think that. comedy is about exaggeration. it was hilarious.

[–] danesnowden 16 years ago

As I have told everyone else - to me, it was just okay. I've seen Wanda act funnier previously.