OWN Sets Wanda Sykes Specials

By R. Thomas Umstead
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

Comedian Wanda Sykes will host two summer comedy specials for OWN.

The two-hour original comedy specials, Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious, will air on consecutive Saturdays beginning July 13 and will feature emerging female stand-up comedians including Andi Smith, Gloria Bigelow, Marina Franklin, Tracey Ashley, Carmen Lynch and Dominique Witten, said network executives.

Sykes will produce and host the series, which will tape in front of a live audience at Harpo Studios in Chicago, said network officials.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.