Comedian Wanda Sykes has revealed that Bill Maher confronted her backstage at the Golden Globes following a joke she made about him during the January ceremony.

The interaction occurred as comics were waiting for their cars after the event.

Sykes, who was presenting the award for best performance in stand-up comedy, had included Maher in a series of lighthearted roasts.

Her specific jab at Maher was, “Bill Maher, you give us so much, but I would love a little less.” The camera showed Maher with a slight smile, seemingly unsure how to react, as Sykes continued, “Just try less.”

Speaking on Vulture’s “Good One” podcast with Jesse David Fox, Sykes recounted Maher approaching her, asking, “What was that about?” Sykes explained it was “clearly a joke,” to which Maher reportedly responded, “Well, I mean, it wasn’t even a joke.” Sykes then told him, “Oh, no, I heard laughter.

It was clearly a joke.”

The conversation escalated as Sykes imitated Maher continuing to argue about the bit.

She told him, “See?

You’re doing exactly what we said in the joke.

We need less of this.

You’re, you’re epitomizing the joke.

Less of this.” Sykes chuckled, noting, “He didn’t care for it.”

Maher then reportedly informed Sykes that he had been “getting a lot of texts” and that the joke was “stupid.” Sykes recalled her reaction to the word “stupid,” stating, “I was like, ‘OK, now you’re gonna get it.’” She responded by saying she had received texts praising the joke and expressing dislike for Maher, adding, “That’s the problem.

You’re watching Fox News, and I’m over here on MSNBC.” Maher subsequently asked Sykes to appear on his podcast, an invitation she declined.