EPIX to Air New Wanda Sykes Stand-Up Event

Premium TV network EPIX announced today that it will spotlight the straightforward and no-nonsense comedy of Emmy Award winning comedian, writer and actress Wanda Sykes, in the one-hour Original Comedy Event What Happened...Ms. Sykes? Best known for her roles in "The New Adventures of Old Christine," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "The Chris Rock Show," What Happened...Ms. Sykes? Sykes' first stand-up performance for the network makes its World Television Premiere on EPIX on Friday, October 21 at 10pm ET/PT, 9pm C.

What Happened...Ms. Sykes? will be filmed on May 21, 2016, at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. The special will focus on Wanda's life, family, race and politics as she questions, "How Did I Get Here?" Join the conversation about What Happened...Ms. Sykes? on Twitter with #WhatHappened.

Wanda Sykes said: "I'm excited to be partnering with EPIX for this show. It's been too long since my last special, but just like a new Sade album, it takes time to deliver pure genius. You can thank me later."

Mark S. Greenberg, President & CEO of EPIX, said: "Wanda delivers first-rate stand-up comedy that touches on culturally-relevant and sometimes controversial topics with her own brand of humor that has captivated audiences for nearly two decades. We look forward to celebrating that legacy as well as her funny, honest takes on parenting and family life in her first special for EPIX."

Sykes has headlined numerous television projects including her own late night talk show "The Wanda Sykes Show." She was also seen in "Wanda at Large," which she wrote, produced and starred in; the CBS comedy "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm." She has done three stand up specials: "Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied" for Comedy Central, and two HBO specials, "Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired" and "Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be Me," which were both were nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special," while "I'ma Be Me" was also nominated for "Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special."

She's lent her voice to animated feature films, including the upcoming Ice Ace: Collision Course, Ice Age: Continental Drift, and Rio, and appeared in Evan Almighty and Monster-In-Law. As a writer on "The Chris Rock Show," she was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards and in 1999 won for "Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special." In 2001, she won the American Comedy Award for "Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic" and three more Emmy's for her work on "Inside the NFL." Her first book Yeah, I Said It, published by Simon & Schuster, is a hilarious collection of essays touching on life, family and current events.

What Happened...Ms. Sykes? is an EPIX Original Comedy Event produced by Push It Productions' Page Hurwitz and Wanda Sykes, directed by Liz Patrick. Ross Bernard is the executive producer for EPIX, Valerie Bishop is the producer for EPIX and Rachèle "Rocky" Benloulou-Dubin is the consulting producer for EPIX.

EPIX is known for its all-star roster of stand-up specials. Previous featured headliners include: Russell Brand, Craig Ferguson, Michael Ian Black, Marc Maron, Lewis Black, Patton Oswalt, Louis C.K., Jenny McCarthy, Dennis Miller, Sherri Shepherd, Eddie Izzard, Jim Norton, Lisa Lampanelli, Jim Breuer, Tom Papa, and Jim Jefferies. EPIX's commitment to the craft of comedy also includes the EPIX Original Documentary "The Improv: 50 Years Behind the Brick Wall," a revealing special that brings together the biggest names in comedy to tell the INSIDE STORY of America's first comedy club.