Wanda at Large

Wanda Hawkins (series star WANDA SYKES -"The Chris Rock Show," "Crank Yankers," "Inside the NFL") is a single woman and struggling stand-up comic who suddenly gets the attention she craves when she is hired as an on-air correspondent on a local Washington, D.C., political talk show. Her best friend, segmentproducer Keith (series star DALE GODBOLDO -"The Sum of All Fears"), is thrilled that Wanda has joined the ranks of the employed.One problem, however, is that her outrageous, outspoken style infuriates the talk show's staid moderators, Bradley (series star PHIL MORRIS -"Seinfeld," "Jingle All the Way") and Rita (recurring guest star ANN MAGNUSON -"Panic Room"). But the station manager, Roger (recurring guest star JASON KRAVITS -"Sweet November"), knows that Wanda is exactly what he needs to spice up theshow.At home, Wanda copes with her no-nonsense sister-in-law and neighbor, Jenny (recurring guest star TAMMY LAUREN -"Martial Law," "Homefront") who, after the death of her husband, is caring for her two children on her own--with a little unsolicited advice from Wanda.Through flashbacks, Wanda relates how she was hired and subsequently fired from her job when her liberal views clash with the conservative news anchors. Ultimately, however, there is such positive viewer response that Wanda is rehired permanently.Recommended Episode

As a promotional stunt for their show "The Beltway Gang," Roger tricks feuding Wanda and Bradley into attending a basketball game, where they are seated next to each other. Wanda begs Keith to be her date for the evening, but neither Keith nor Roger's date appears. When the fan camera shows Wanda and Bradley on the giant screen and on television, they are fighting like kids. Meanwhile, Jenny demonstrates to Wanda how to flirt.

Even though she knows that Wanda hates surprise parties, Jenny plans one for Wanda's birthday. Keith reluctantly agrees to prevent Wanda from getting home until the party is prepared--and endures the brunt of Wanda's frustration. When Wanda sees the lights on in her apartment, she calls the police and almost ruins everything. However, she later learns an important lesson about friendship.

After Wanda completes a scathing feature about a corrupt city leader, Councilman Nevins (ROBERT DOQUI), he dies. But she is shocked and angered when a reedited version is broadcast as a tribute to Nevins instead of her original piece. Nevins' widow asks Wanda to speak at the councilman's wake, prompting Wanda to declare it the perfect opportunity to tell the world about the councilman's true character.

Wanda and Keith are invited to receive honorary doctorates from the college they both attended--and were expelled from. But their differences of opinion on how they should conduct themselves at the ceremony result in a rift in their friendship.