Golden Globes 2026: Wanda Sykes Blasts Ricky Gervais And Bill Maher During Jaw-Dropping Moment

Wanda Sykes showed off her comedic chops at the 83rd Golden Globes, and took some jabs at Ricky Gervais and Bill Maher in the process.

Sykes took the stage at the Beverly Hilton on Sunday night to present the Golden Globe for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television. Ahead of announcing (and ribbing) the six nominees, Sykes urged the audience to give host Nikki Glaser a round of applause, and then Sykes gave a shoutout to the Golden Globes for having her present

“And shoutout to the Golden Globes for having me because you know this, but people pissed off that a queer Black woman is up here doing the job of two mediocre white guys,” she said of herself.

While Sykes made fun of each of the nominees, among whom were Gervais, Maher, Brett Goldstein, Kevin Hart, Kumail Nanjiani, and Sarah Silverman, she seemed to go after Maher and Gervais the hardest.

“Bill Maher, you give us so much, but I would love a little less,” she teased of the Is Anyone Else Seeing This? comic. “Just try less.”

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 the outspoken atheist, whose 2022 stand-up special SuperNature drew criticism from the LGBTQ community . “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:

• Nikki Glaser’s Golden Globes roast takes aim at Hollywood A-listers and “See B.S. News” boss Bari Weiss. (She also made fun of Nicole Kidman’s AMC ad, and spoofed K-Pop Demon Hunters.)
• Who are the Golden Globes announcers? (And why are Heated Rivalry fans extra annoyed by them?
• The big award winners of the night: Hamnet (Best Drama), One Battle After Another (Best Musical or Comedy), The Pitt (Best TV Drama), The Studio (Best TV Comedy), Adolescence (Best Limited Series)
• Why wasn’t Bobby Cannavale there to support his wife Rose Byrne during her Golden Globe win? And, while we’re at it, where was Cynthia Erivo?!?
• Rhea Seehorn FINALLY won a Golden Globe … and Better Call Saul fans know it’s about damn time!
• The Studio‘s Seth Rogen wins Best Actor in a Comedy, still doesn’t thank Sal Saperstein
• Teyana Taylor’s already won the Golden Globes with her powerful speech: “Our dreams deserve space”
• Golden Globes 2026: Start Time, Channel, Where To Watch The Golden Globes Live For Free
• Golden Globes Nominations 2026: Complete list of movie, show, and podcast (yes, podcast!) nominees
• Where To Stream The 2026 Golden Globe Nominees: Sinners, Jay Kelly, All Her Fault, and more
• Golden Globes 2026 Snubs & Surprises: We were surprised there were so many Jacob Elordi noms, but just as shocked that Wicked For Good got snubbed for Best Musical