During the 83rd Golden Globes, Wanda Sykes delivered a standout comedic performance as she humorously critiqued fellow comedians Ricky Gervais and Bill Maher.

On Sunday evening at the Beverly Hilton, Sykes took to the stage to present the award for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television. Before revealing the nominees, she encouraged the audience to applaud host Nikki Glaser and expressed her appreciation for being chosen to present at the event.

“And a big thanks to the Golden Globes for having me here,” Sykes remarked. “You know, it’s got some folks riled up that a queer Black woman is doing the job typically reserved for two average white guys,” she quipped.

Sykes humorously critiqued each of the nominees, which included Gervais, Maher, Brett Goldstein, Kevin Hart, Kumail Nanjiani, and Sarah Silverman. However, her sharpest remarks were aimed at Maher and Gervais.

“Bill Maher, you provide us with so much,” she jested about the Is Anyone Else Seeing This? comedian. “But honestly, a little less would be appreciated. Just dial it back a bit.”

The cameras caught Maher’s reaction, as he appeared a bit taken aback. Sykes teased Goldstein, Hart, and Nanjiani, before moving onto Gervais, who was absent from the Golden Globes on Sunday.

“Ricky Gervais, I love you for not being here. No I love you Ricky, but because if you win, I get to accept the award on your behalf, and you’re going to thank God, and the trans community,” Sykes said of Gervais, who is outspoken about not believing in God, whose 2022 stand-up special SuperNature drew criticism from the LGBTQ community for its material about trans people. “Ooh, Ricky!”

Sykes ultimately got to live up to her promise, as the award went to Gervais for his recent Netflix special Mortality.

“And the Golden Globe goes to—Teyana, can I borrow your speech?—Ricky Gervais, cause he would like to thank God and the trans community,” she said. “Ricky Gervais could not be here, so we’ll accept this on his behalf.”

Can’t get enough of the 2026 Golden Globes? Follow along with Decider’s coverage, including:

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