Wanda Sykes gets late-night gig

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Actress-comedian Wanda Sykes and the Fox network are finalizing a deal for a Saturday late-night show. The hourlong show, slated to premiere in the fall, will succeed the recently canceled sketch comedy show "MadTV." It will be topical, featuring a panel of recurring guests sparring over issues concerning politics as well as pop culture. Sykes will appear in field segments as well. Known for her outspoken comedic perspective, Sykes will host the 2009 White House Correspondents' Association dinner. The actress, who co-stars on CBS' "The New Adventures of Old Christine," previously headlined the sitcom "Wanda at Large" on Fox. Sykes's deal brings a rare female presence to late-night television, which is dominated by white male hosts. It follows TBS' announcement of a new late-night talk show hosted by Mexican-American actor/comedian George Lopez. The fate of Fox's other Saturday late-night show, "Talk Show With Spike Feresten," which airs at midnight, remains up in the air.