I didn't think it was funny at the time either...I thought it was a statement, and I found it typical to annihilate a woman for having an opinion, but I agreed with her. I thought her brave to have done it, and I thought it was fucked up that she lost her...well, everything. I didn't even know the extent of the backlash until this article because I don't follow celebrities much, but I'm all for you bringing it up again! She was horribly wronged, in my opinion.
Have always been a fan. The treatment she received over that picture was beyond extreme, we all know if it had been a male comedian he would have walked away with a swat on the hand. And Anderson Cooper was instantly dead to me for being such a coward. Saw her on the 2019 tour, she was funny at times but she was so traumatized. She talked for almost two hours, much of it seemed like therapy. The house was packed, it was good to see so many supporters. She's a legend.
She is SO traumatized. I follow her on TikTok and while she is still as fierce as ever, there's a sort of fragility to her now.
I have a grudge against Anderson forever. And Andy Cohen is a POS, and I read somewhere that he effectively swooped in and took her jobs, and I was like "OH he fully did". He's the "everyman" stand in to comment on pop culture. He does NYE now. He does red carpet. He can fuck off too.
Andy Cohen is a parasitic jerk off that ruined NYE. It's never been a big holiday for me, but I used to LOVE seeing Kathy rip on AC and how silly he got after a few drinks, you knew you were guaranteed some laughs. I will boycott the Cool Gay Dad show with Anderson and Andy because GROSS. Zero loyalty, what kind of gay turns their back on Kathy Griffin?
I love Kathy Griffin, watched her reality show, saw her in concert, loved her for her talent and boldness. There was also kindness, caring and love at the core (visits to soldiers, prisons, relationship with parents). I didn’t realize everything she’s endured since 2017! My life changed, I wasn’t enjoying her material as much (but still respected her). Good god, messed up and tragic as well as losing all her siblings. Thank you for such a detailed piece, I’ll be going down my own KG rabbit hole. Great article.
I neither love nor hate Kathy Griffin, but I am someone who was intricately involved in the ME TOO movement in the music industry and saw powerful man after powerful man make quick comebacks after being "cancelled" while Kathy Griffin had her entire life ruined. It's a complete double standard for women who stand up for themselves. Good for her for getting back up time and time again.
The only thing I'll add is to the part about white men watching lynchings for sport. I'm a student of history, and I did not know until recently just how prevalent lynchings were in America for several decades. These were town events all across America- not just in the south. Post cards and souvenirs from the event were sold. It was so commonplace that Congress had to pass a law that it was illegal for the U.S. Post Office to carry postcards of lynchings. (despite the fact that lynchings were apparently already illegal.) This wasn't something done by the KKK in the dark of night (a la "Oh Brother Where Art Though" etc). This was daylight, advertised, and well attended.
Just wanted to add to the discussion after seeing it mentioned here. I feel like everyone needs to know this about our country's recent past.
Lynchings are a part of our history that should be taught in every school. It is truly insane how common it was, and LITERALLY was just made a Federal crime in 2022 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) when Biden signed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act into law.
Sadly, and especially now, it won't be taught to students. I learned about the full extent of it in college, though I was aware that lynchings had occurred by the time I was in middle school. To say I was horrified was an understatement. I am beyond grateful for my education. I learned about civil rights, the Holocaust, etc from a young age. I think it made me a better human being. I hope, anyway.
This piece is fantastic! Kathy Griffin is a hero of mine and I hated how she was cancelled and the photographer suffered (seemingly) no consequences. Thank you for your work!
Thank you for reading! I love Kathy. She's a pioneer for lady comedians and deserves way more respect than she gets. I hate what she had to go through.
I’ve been to a number of Kathy’s shows. There’s no one quite like her, and I LOVE it! The ketchup head of the orange one was obviously a joke. Tasteless? Perhaps. But I couldn’t understand why anyone would take it seriously. Orange One has no thick skin, and Kathy wears it well.
I didn't think it was funny at the time either...I thought it was a statement, and I found it typical to annihilate a woman for having an opinion, but I agreed with her. I thought her brave to have done it, and I thought it was fucked up that she lost her...well, everything. I didn't even know the extent of the backlash until this article because I don't follow celebrities much, but I'm all for you bringing it up again! She was horribly wronged, in my opinion.
PS gods this whole article is amazing...even your footnotes are 🔥🔥🔥
thank you so much Jennifer! I've been mad about it for almost a decade! 😂
Have always been a fan. The treatment she received over that picture was beyond extreme, we all know if it had been a male comedian he would have walked away with a swat on the hand. And Anderson Cooper was instantly dead to me for being such a coward. Saw her on the 2019 tour, she was funny at times but she was so traumatized. She talked for almost two hours, much of it seemed like therapy. The house was packed, it was good to see so many supporters. She's a legend.
She is SO traumatized. I follow her on TikTok and while she is still as fierce as ever, there's a sort of fragility to her now.
I have a grudge against Anderson forever. And Andy Cohen is a POS, and I read somewhere that he effectively swooped in and took her jobs, and I was like "OH he fully did". He's the "everyman" stand in to comment on pop culture. He does NYE now. He does red carpet. He can fuck off too.
Andy Cohen is a parasitic jerk off that ruined NYE. It's never been a big holiday for me, but I used to LOVE seeing Kathy rip on AC and how silly he got after a few drinks, you knew you were guaranteed some laughs. I will boycott the Cool Gay Dad show with Anderson and Andy because GROSS. Zero loyalty, what kind of gay turns their back on Kathy Griffin?
He should have his Gay Card revoked.
I love Kathy Griffin
I love Kathy Griffin, watched her reality show, saw her in concert, loved her for her talent and boldness. There was also kindness, caring and love at the core (visits to soldiers, prisons, relationship with parents). I didn’t realize everything she’s endured since 2017! My life changed, I wasn’t enjoying her material as much (but still respected her). Good god, messed up and tragic as well as losing all her siblings. Thank you for such a detailed piece, I’ll be going down my own KG rabbit hole. Great article.
Thanks! Yeah, she definitely has a good heart and it’s hard to imagine what she went through.
ALL. OF. THIS. Every word.
I neither love nor hate Kathy Griffin, but I am someone who was intricately involved in the ME TOO movement in the music industry and saw powerful man after powerful man make quick comebacks after being "cancelled" while Kathy Griffin had her entire life ruined. It's a complete double standard for women who stand up for themselves. Good for her for getting back up time and time again.
The only thing I'll add is to the part about white men watching lynchings for sport. I'm a student of history, and I did not know until recently just how prevalent lynchings were in America for several decades. These were town events all across America- not just in the south. Post cards and souvenirs from the event were sold. It was so commonplace that Congress had to pass a law that it was illegal for the U.S. Post Office to carry postcards of lynchings. (despite the fact that lynchings were apparently already illegal.) This wasn't something done by the KKK in the dark of night (a la "Oh Brother Where Art Though" etc). This was daylight, advertised, and well attended.
Just wanted to add to the discussion after seeing it mentioned here. I feel like everyone needs to know this about our country's recent past.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Elizabeth!
Lynchings are a part of our history that should be taught in every school. It is truly insane how common it was, and LITERALLY was just made a Federal crime in 2022 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) when Biden signed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act into law.
Sadly, and especially now, it won't be taught to students. I learned about the full extent of it in college, though I was aware that lynchings had occurred by the time I was in middle school. To say I was horrified was an understatement. I am beyond grateful for my education. I learned about civil rights, the Holocaust, etc from a young age. I think it made me a better human being. I hope, anyway.
wow I did not know it was outlawed in 2022.
It’s been illegal for a long time, but not a federal crime which is insane
This piece is fantastic! Kathy Griffin is a hero of mine and I hated how she was cancelled and the photographer suffered (seemingly) no consequences. Thank you for your work!
Thank you for reading! I love Kathy. She's a pioneer for lady comedians and deserves way more respect than she gets. I hate what she had to go through.
I’ve been to a number of Kathy’s shows. There’s no one quite like her, and I LOVE it! The ketchup head of the orange one was obviously a joke. Tasteless? Perhaps. But I couldn’t understand why anyone would take it seriously. Orange One has no thick skin, and Kathy wears it well.
Oh it was totally tasteless, but the idea that it was a "threat" was ridiculous performative bullshit from the jump.