She displays the sass of Roseanne, the naughtiness of Redd Foxx, the charisma of Bernie Mac. So what if she has about as much acting ability as Jerry Seinfeld? That never stopped him.Stand-up comedian Wanda Sykes looks poised for television stardom. Seinfeld, however, had a classic concept and cast to support him. Fox's "Wanda at Large" is a wobbly framework designed to let Sykes sound off, stand-up style, about everything from basketball players to child rearing to cologne.Sykes' stinging delivery often saves weak material, and her likeability buoys a show that adheres too closely to Fox's patented coarseness. The new sitcom loves to recycle: Bleeped dialogue evokes "The Osbournes." Brief fantasy visuals recall "Ally McBeal." The show's setting and strong-willed main character echo "Murphy Brown." The premise has potential: Wanda Hawkins (Sykes) talks her way into a correspondent's role on a Washington political show called "The Beltway Gang." She impresses the station manager, Roger (Jason Kravitz), with her take-no-prisoners conversations at a cocktail party. Thus, "Wanda at Large" has the chance to skewer chat shows and local news, two deserving targets. The show's aim, however, is frequently off.Wanda's reports are marked by hit-or-miss wackiness. In the premiere, a cartoonish report on gun sales has her wearing costumes, ridiculing sources and running from the sound of gunfire.But the third episode features a witty report on slavery reparations, the best bit in three episodes sent to critics. Wanda demands money from people in the street, and the sequence takes audacious turns.The spoofs of "Crossfire" and other talk shows settle for nasty putdowns. Wanda faults the smart female moderator, Rita (Ann Magnuson), for having a face lift that looks "like a cat trying to squeeze through a fence."Wanda derides the male moderator, Bradley (Phil Morris), as "a pompous, right-wing stooge." He dismisses her as "Excedrin the Entertainer." In the third episode, the tension between them threatens to turn romantic, and Wanda brightens at that prospect. Of her dating, Wanda says, "I should be a wooden shoe, I've gone Dutch so many times."Morris stands out as the handsome, opinionated news anchor. But the other supporting players are wasted, like Magnuson, or bland, like Dale Godboldo, who plays Wanda's producer pal. Humdrum scenes of Wanda's home life cramp the star and stall the show. Wanda lives down the hall from widowed sister-in-law Jenny (Tammy Lauren), sunny niece Holly (Jurnee Smollett) and impressionable nephew Barris (Robert Bailey Jr.). Sykes is so natural and forceful that she gives "Wanda at Large" a reason for being. She could grow as an actor, just as Emmy-winner Ray Romano did. But she needs sharper writing and fellow players to ensure that everybody will have a chance to love Wanda.hello there & you too
