‘It’s still alive!’: Wanda Sykes brings some of her free speech to Calgary after Kimmel disruption

CTV's Ian White speaks with comedian Wanda Sykes, who is performing in Calgary on Saturday.

“It’s still alive!” comedian Wanda Sykes says of free speech in the United States.

“This really gave me hope. It was inspiring because we got him back on the air,” Sykes told CTV News about the backlash to Jimmy Kimmel’s short-lived suspension by ABC.

Sykes was booked to be a guest on Kimmel’s late night show last week when she got word from her publicist it was cancelled.

“I’d have been really upset if I got into hair and makeup just for that and didn’t get to go on. Getting in glam is not my favourite thing,” Sykes said.

“Jimmy sent me a nice text, apologizing, ‘sorry this is happening,’ and we had a little, quick exchange.”

“That guy is so loved by many and as you see watching the show, he has a huge heart,” Sykes said.

Sykes performs Saturday, Sept. 27, in Calgary and a second show has been added at the Jubilee Auditorium.

She admits, given tensions in the U.S., she feels liberated performing in Canada.

“Oh, absolutely,” said Sykes. “Canada is just about coming there, being funny and you can say what you want to say and you don’t have all that nonsense in the back of your brain.”