Sykes was previously seen on several television shows over the past two years. Her Own special "Herlarious" which aired in July highlighted female comics. Last year she made a return to HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” starring opposite Larry David. In 2010 she starred on her own late night talk show on FOX, “The Wanda Sykes Show”. In October of 2009 her second HBO stand up special “I’ma Be Me” premiered. It was taped at the Warner theatre in Washington DC where she tackled topics like the first black president, gay cruises, being a new Mom and aging. The special was nominated for two 2010 Primetime Emmy awards: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special and Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special.

Her first HBO comedy special “Wanda Sykes; Sick and Tired” debuted in October 2006 and was nominated for a 2007 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special.

She spent 5 years as part of the HBO's critically acclaimed "Chris Rock Show." As a performer and writer on the show, she was nominated for three Primetime Emmy's and in 1999 won the Emmy for "Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special." In 2001, she won the American Comedy Award for "Outstanding Female Stand Up Comic". She won three more Emmy’s, in 2002, 2004 and 2005, for her work on “Inside the NFL” for “Outstanding Studio Show - Weekly- Inside The NFL".

In 2010 she won a GLAAD award for promoting a good image of equal rights for gays and lesbians.