Things to Do
Things to Do

Wanda Sykes addresses ‘Roseanne’ cancellation at Atlanta show

A rambunctious audience had to push the comic to talk about ‘Roseanne’

ABC Cancels "Roseanne" Amid Twitter Controversy
By
June 21, 2018

Wanda Sykes spared almost no one associated with the Trump administration during her routine Wednesday night at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre.

Sykes was at the Fox to headline a celebration of the 49th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a seminal turning point in the LGBTQ rights movement.

Tig Notaro also performed, and the pair were introduced by LGBT advocate and activist Feroza Syed.

» RELATED: Atlanta transgender woman turns to Facebook to dig out of her 'sunken place'

But while Sykes - a consulting producer for the now-canceled "Roseanne" reboot - had zingers for everyone from Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen to Housing Secretary Ben Carson, a rambunctious audience had to push the comic to address "Roseanne."

And when she did, she was terse and to the point: “Roseanne? The thing is I don’t have any jokes about it. She said some racist (expletive) − and I quit.”

Short as it might have been, it brought Sykes one of her loudest rounds of applause of the night.

About the Author

Ryan Stultz is the head of programming for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, overseeing the paper’s distribution, including AJC.com, newsletters, social media, print and more. He has worked in the newspaper industry for nearly 15 years as an editor and digital specialist.

More Stories

Keep Reading

Attendees at Heat Index — June’s exclusive warm-up to July’s Heat Wave — gathered for a first look at the bold creative energy behind Blk Book Studio’s upcoming July 12 experience. Founder Kaylyn Fudge, pictured second from left, leads the charge. (Courtesy of Lawrence Gober)

Credit: Lawerence Gober

Between Beyoncé shows, Atlanta’s creatives take the stage

Heat Wave, happening July 12, is Atlanta’s new arts event blending music, fashion and networking. See how to join and meet the city’s creative leaders.

Visitor’s guide to The Battery for 2025 MLB All-Star Week

Atlanta is hosting 2025 MLB All-Star Week. Here are some tips on things to do, where to eat and drink near Truist Park and the Battery.

Opinion: Beyoncé’s country era is invitation for all of us to explore genre

From 2024: Despite certain opinions, Beyoncé isn't overstepping with her foray into country music. The genre was once multicultural, then record execs changed that.

The Latest

Attendees at Heat Index — June’s exclusive warm-up to July’s Heat Wave — gathered for a first look at the bold creative energy behind Blk Book Studio’s upcoming July 12 experience. Founder Kaylyn Fudge, pictured second from left, leads the charge. (Courtesy of Lawrence Gober)

Credit: Lawerence Gober

Between Beyoncé shows, Atlanta’s creatives take the stage

Saddle up for these Beyoncé-themed pop-up bars, brunches and shows in Atlanta

Coming to Atlanta for MLB All-Star week? There’s fun outside Truist Park too.

Featured

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, seen here in a file photo from Nov. 14, 2024, is conducting a statewide audit of voter registrations targeting registrations at businesses and P.O. boxes for possible cancelation. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

New Georgia election audit targets voters registered at P.O. boxes and businesses

Georgia election officials are trying to find inaccurate voter registrations of people registered at P.O. boxes or business addresses.

Rent an apartment, or just a bedroom, at this new Atlanta skyscraper

Amid rising costs and changing lifestyles, Society Atlanta offers a co-living model designed to shake up traditional apartments.

DISPATCH

In Georgia’s melon mecca, watermelon wizards’ ears are sweetly attuned

In the heart of Georgia's watermelon country, everyone has a trick to tell if a melon is ripe. One way is the sound a melon makes when it is thumped. Or better, patted.