6 /10 1 Votes6
6.4/10 TV Network FOX | 5.7/10 IMDb Genre Sitcom Final episode date 7 November 2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Created by Lance CroutherLes FiresteinBruce HelfordWanda Sykes Written by Lance CroutherBarton DeanLes FiresteinJennifer FisherAlyson FouseBrian HargroveBruce HelfordJack LugarJack KennyPatrick MeighanSue MurphyDino ShorteWanda Sykes Directed by John BlanchardGerry CohenLeonard R. Garner, Jr.Katy GarretsonShelley JensenBob KoherrLee Shallat-Chemel Starring Wanda SykesPhil MorrisDale GodboldoTammy LaurenJurnee SmollettRobert Bailey, Jr. Cast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wanda at Large is an American sitcom that ran for two seasons on the Fox network in 2003. The series was created by and stars comedian Wanda Sykes.
Contents
Synopsis
Sykes starred as Wanda Hawkins, an outspoken standup comic who is chosen to be a correspondent on a Washington, D.C., political talk show The Beltway Gang on WHDC-TV. However, Wanda's mannerisms infuriate the show's moderators (Phil Morris and Ann Magnuson). At home, Wanda must manage her sister-in-law (Tammy Lauren), who is raising two children, Holly (Jurnee Smollett), and Barris (Robert Bailey, Jr.).
Reception and cancellation
Wanda at Large premiered on Fox on March 26, 2003, following American Idol. It gradually decreased in the ratings, premiering with 14.3 million viewers, and falling down to 10 million by the season finale. It still averaged 12.2 million for the six-episode season, however, making it the fourth highest-rated show on Fox that year out of 26, and leading Fox to renew the show. Its first-season finale aired in April 2003. In September, the show returned with new episodes in the Friday night death slot at 8:30, only to be canceled on November 7 along with the new show Luis.
During an interview with the Urbanite magazine at Georgia State University, Sykes explained that the show was only supposed to be on Friday night for an interim basis. According to Sykes, "We were told if the new night didn't work out, we would be moved to another timeslot. But, that's part of the game television execs play." She also admitted in a January 2004 interview that she wished that the series would have launched on UPN instead of Fox.
Cast
The show was filmed from October 2001-June 2002, and intended to have only one season, and be picked up by The WB, and premiere on August 18, 2002 to replace For Your Love. However, Fox Broadcasting Company picked up the show instead of The WB Television Network
Season 2
* The unaired episodes were aired for the first time on TVOne on July 4, 2006 during the 4th of July launch marathon of the series.
Syndication
Reruns began airing regularly on July 5, 2006 on United States cable channel TV One. A marathon aired on July 4 as part of the channel's "Power to the People" July 4 weekend celebration.