Wanda Sykes To Host "NewNowNext Vote with Wanda Sykes" Election Specials For Logo

NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The past few years have seen tremendous progress for the LGBT community: the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," marriage equality continues to gain momentum, and the widespread integration of gays into the mainstream.  But as we head into election season, many gays and lesbians and their allies are wondering where the Presidential candidates stand on all the issues that matter most to the LGBT community.  Who will best represent them in the next four years?

Logo will lead that discussion with a series of two "NewNowNext Vote with Wanda Sykes" election specials.  Hosted by politically-minded comedian and TV personality Wanda Sykes, Logo's "NewNowNext Vote with Wanda Sykes" election specials will educate, activate and entertain viewers while shining a spotlight on the state of national politics through an LGBT lens.  Taped in front of a live studio audience in Times Square in New York City, the specials will feature a rapid-fire, roundtable format with notable panelists from both sides of the political aisle.  The first of two, one-hour specials will air four days after the Democratic National Convention, Monday, September 10^th at 10PM ET/PT followed by the second special on election-eve, Monday, November 5^th (time TBA) on Logo.

The "NewNowNext Vote with Wanda Sykes" specials will touch on hot topics for the LGBT voter including; gay marriage, Supreme Court appointments, the economy and healthcare.  Added to the mix will be of-the-moment commentary sparked by the trending news from the campaign trail.

Commenting on her hosting role Sykes said, "I'm excited to be working with Logo, the network that offers a voice to the LGBT community. These specials will be thought provoking, exciting and the perfect forum to discuss important issues facing our community. Plus, it is Logo so maybe I'll get to dress in drag!"

"While there has been much progress in civil rights for LGBT Americans over the course of the past few years, this is a crucial time for our community and our quest for equality on all fronts," said Lisa Sherman, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Logo. "Wanda will be the perfect host for the specials, providing her one-of-a-kind take on LGBT concerns and challenges.  She's sure to entertain -- and generate some discussion along the way."

Wanda Sykes has been called "one of the funniest stand-up comics" by her peers and ranks among Entertainment Weekly's "25 Funniest People in America."  Her smart-witted stand up has sent her career in many different areas.

Sykes was previously seen on several television shows over the past two years.  Last year she made a return to HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" starring opposite Larry David.  In 2010 she starred on her own late night talk show on FOX, "The Wanda Sykes Show".  In October of 2009 her second HBO stand up special "I'ma Be Me" premiered.  It was taped at the Warner theatre in Washington DC where she tackled topics like the first black president, gay cruises, being a new mom and aging.  The special was nominated for two 2010 Primetime Emmy awards: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special and Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special.  

Her first HBO comedy special "Wanda Sykes; Sick and Tired" debuted in October 2006 and was nominated for a 2007 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special.  It was taped in Seattle Washington and covered everything from racial profiling to gay marriage.

She spent 5 years as part of the HBO's critically acclaimed "Chris Rock Show." As a performer and writer on the show, she was nominated for three Primetime Emmy's and in 1999 won the Emmy for "Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special."  In 2001, she won the American Comedy Award for "Outstanding Female Stand Up Comic".  She won three more Emmy's, in 2002, 2004 and 2005, for her work on "Inside the NFL" for "Outstanding Studio Show - Weekly- Inside The NFL".

In 2010 she won a GLAAD award for promoting a good image of equal rights for gays and lesbians.

The "NewNowNext Vote with Wanda Sykes" specials are executive produced by Mark Consuelos and Albert Bianchini for Milojo Productions and Wanda Sykes for Sykes Entertainment.  Additionally, Liz Stanton serves as executive producer.  Brent Zacky and Christopher Willey serve as executive producers for Logo.

For more information on "NewNowNext Vote" go to NewNowNext.com.  Join the NewNowNext.com Facebook page and follow the specials on Twitter @LogoTV and #NNNVote for up-to-date news and exclusives.

ABOUT LOGO

Logo celebrates one-of-a-kind personalities, unconventional stories and discovering what's next—all through a mix of original and acquired entertainment that's outrageous, smart and inclusive.  Entertaining a social, savvy audience of gay trendsetters, Logo also attracts a straight audience that wants to be ahead of the curve.  Launched in 2005, Logo is in over 51 million homes across the United States, and is complemented by a federation of online properties, including LogoTV.com, NewNowNext.com, AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com, and DowneLink.com.  Logo is part of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), which features a roster of popular and highly targeted brands that include MTV, Comedy Central, VH1 and Spike TV.

ABOUT MILOJO PRODUCTIONS

Milojo Productions is Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos' SoHo based production company.  It began with the Emmy-nominated feature documentary "The Streak" for ESPN, which told the compelling story of a Florida high school wrestling team with an extraordinary 34-year winning streak.  It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2008.  In addition, Milojo had a first-look development deal with TLC and Discovery, and premiered the docu-series "Masters of Reception" in 2009.  Following that, the company launched a country-wide search for female inventors and premiered "Homemade Millionaire" on TLC fall 2010, hosted by Ripa.  They were also thrilled to announce that their recent film "Off the Rez," with filmmaker Jonathan Hock, was accepted to the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.  That project aired on TLC later that year.  Milojo also recently produced a pilot for Lifetime and is currently producing an exciting new documentary series for CMT entitled "Cheer" which premieres Friday, Sept. 7th on CMT.  They have other non-scripted projects in production and development.  Milojo recently sold a scripted project to ABC entitled "Port Love" and is developing more in the scripted arena.  The company also recently premiered its first short film, a collaboration with Will Ferrell's company Funny or Die entitled "The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee."

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