Oprah welcomes some more female comedy to her OWN cable channel this summer, thanks to two stand-up specials hosted by Wanda Sykes that’ll tape in Chicago this week.
Sykes will host two tapings — with Andi Smith, Tracey Ashley, Carmen Lynch, Dominique Witten, Gloria Bigelow and Marina Franklin performing five-to-seven-minute sets, two headliners (Kym Whitley is announced, plus a surprise guest), and filmed sketches with Sykes and the performers.
“We’re excited about doing these for OWN,” executive producer Page Hurwitz told The Comic’s Comic. “We set out to do a comedy project for the channel and this format seemed like a great fit. We wanted to do something a little different with the traditional stand-up special by including comedy sketches and special guests. Harpo/OWN liked the idea.
“We are happy that we can give 6 terrific female comedians a national platform. They all work the road, performing at clubs and colleges every week. (Yes, I actually said that. But it’s true and not just a stock intro line.) They have different styles, distinct voices, and, most importantly, they’re funny. The tapings should be great.”
Hurwitz’s Push It Productions and Jill Barancik’s Harpo Studios are executive producers on the specials along with Sykes. Lance Crouthier and Alyson Fouse are aboard as writers.
Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious will air Saturday, July 13, and Saturday, July 20, on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.