US comedian Kathy Griffin who was fired recently by CNN over gory photo of Donald Trump has previously been involved in other controversies.
The writer, producer, actress, and television host studied drama at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and became a member of the improvisational comedy troupe The Groundlings.
KFB therefore brings you “5 times Kathy Griffin was involved in popular controversies”
1. She Was Banned From Appearing On Several TV Shows
Although some talk show hosts welcome her humor on their programs
such as Craig Kilborn, Bill Maher and Howard Stern (who she credits with
giving her a “straight fanbase”), Griffin has claimed to be banned from
appearing on several TV shows including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
and The View. She got re-banned from The View because of a joke she made
about Barbara Walters. She says Ellen’s producers told her they cannot
have her on “trashing celebrities”,but she appeared as a guest on The
Ellen DeGeneres Show on September 11, 2007. One of the most notable
controversies occurred when she made a joke during a 2005 E! televised
event that the child actress Dakota Fanning, then age 11, had entered
drug rehabilitation. This incident got Griffin fired from hosting duties
on E!’s red-carpet award show coverage. Nevertheless, E! purchased
rights to air My Life on the D-List for its British channel, a fact she
noted in an episode of season 3.
2. Termination Of Appearance On Hannah Montana
Griffin has claimed to have been fired from an appearance on the show
Hannah Montana, on account of her Emmy acceptance speech. According to
Griffin “the instructions literally came down, ‘We don’t want her
anywhere near the building.’”Griffin hit back in her comedy act joking
that Miley Cyrus “…has been flashing her green bra and posing topless.”
3. Griffin Was Banned From Apollo Theater
In a July 2009 episode of My Life on the D-List, after using
profanity in an Octomom joke during her routine at New York’s legendary
Apollo Theater, Griffin claimed that she received a letter banning her
from the venue.
4. Emmy Awards controversy
Kathy Griffin, Michael McDonald and Karri Turner performed an
improved skit for soldiers and airmen in Tikrit, Iraq, March 17, 2006.
The second season, which premiered on June 6, 2006, earned Griffin the
2007 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program,
non-competition, on September 8, 2007. She received it during the
Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which was hosted by Carlos Mencia and aired
on E! on September 15. Griffin stirred up controversy with her
acceptance speech, saying,
“Now, a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus
for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this
award than Jesus. He didn’t help me a bit. If it was up to him, Cesar
Millan would be up here with that damn dog. So all I can say is suck it,
Jesus, this award is my God now!”
Griffin later explained that she meant this remark not as a slight on
Jesus, but rather as a satire of celebrities who thank Jesus profusely
and nonsensically for their awards, especially artists who themselves
are controversial in their speech and actions.
The Catholic League urged the academy to “denounce Griffin’s obscene
and blasphemous comment.”The Academy said that her “offensive remarks
will not be part of the E! telecast on Saturday night”. Griffin later
responded, “Am I the only Catholic left with a sense of humor?” Fox News
commentator Bill O’Reilly called Griffin a “pinhead” for her remark,
which Griffin considered a “badge of honor.
5. Controversial Photo of President Trump
Griffin was widely criticized for a photo she posted on Instagram of
her holding a model of the bloody, decapitated head of Donald Trump. She
was dropped by Squatty Potty as a result of her post.
She however gave a public apology on social media for the photo,
saying that she went too far and adding, “I beg for your forgiveness.”
On May 31, 2017, CNN fired her from its New Year’s Eve broadcast and said in a statement prior to announcing her termination,
“We found what she did disgusting and offensive.
We are pleased to see she has apologized and asked that the photos be
taken down.” CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper also condemned the photo
saying, “For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin
took part in. It is clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate.
