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« Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
June 19, 2007: Season 3 — Episode 3
I feel like I just went to the funeral of one of my own family members. I knew this wasn't going to be an easy one to watch since Bravo sent out a press release last week announcing that this episode was dedicated to Kathy's father, John Griffin. As I've expressed in my Grey's Anatomy blog multiple times, I'm a crier. But crying while watching George deal with his dad dying on Grey's is one thing — Grey's is a fictional show. Watching Kathy deal with the death of her father was just devastating. However, she did it with such dignity and gave an absolutely beautiful tribute to him towards the end. You could tell Kathy inherited her father's sense of humor: "He truly passed his sense of humor down to me. That's what I'm gonna miss the most."
When Kathy heard the news from her sister Joyce that their dad had passed, and Kathy had to get on a plane to L.A., it really hit home for me, especially when Kathy referred to it as "that moment I have been dreading my whole life." I say it hit home not because it has happened to me, but because I, too, have been dreading that I will one day get a call from one of my brothers about one of our parents and I would need to get on a plane to Chicago from L.A. So, needless to say, I was a mess watching this. What made it better as a viewer was what made it better for Kathy: She performed two gigs in Las Vegas days after her dad's memorial service. Luckily, the Mandalay Bay audiences were supportive and enthusiastic (unlike that corporate meeting Kathy emceed in the first half hour). Laughter is indeed the best medicine, so it helped for Kathy to get her mind off the grief by doing those Vegas gigs.
Speaking of that disastrous Redken sales convention, I actually wrote in my notes: WTF? Why would people at a sales convention in Vegas get offended and ask Kathy to tone down her act, requesting that she swear less? Who were they expecting — Kathie Lee Gifford? One of the reasons that Kathy is a goddess to me is her potty mouth. I can't imagine her having to edit herself. I love that Bravo airs her specials as is and just bleeps the "bad" words out, but in a way that we can totally tell what she is saying. Can you imagine if Bravo asked Kathy not to swear in her stand-up specials?
The funniest part for me was the footage from Kathy's Santa Ynez performance when she impersonated her mother (which is something I could watch Kathy do for hours). Maggie Griffin reminds me of several of my aunts and my own mother rolled into one, especially when Kathy imitates Maggie on the phone swearing (in response to Kathy asking her to go on a “lesbians and their children” cruise): "Jesus Christ! Son of a b--ch! God dammit! Moses and the tablets and Peter and Paul and the other ones! For Christ's sake! I need a drink (click)!” That scene was a variation of the one featured in her hilarious Bravo special Kathy Griffin: Everybody Can Suck It when she added: "Pontius Pilate at the Last Supper!" It cracked me up that Kathy felt she needed to try out her lesbian material in Santa Ynez before doing Rosie's cruise (even though she wasn't able to do the cruise because her dad died).
My second-favorite funny moment was what Kathy said after Jackie Warner from Work Out gave her lesbian-humor advice. After mentioning that her straight guy friends love to imagine two women together sexually and they picture hot "girl on girl" action, Kathy added: "Yes, that happens (record scratch)... with Billie Jean King and Janet Reno. Now picture it, fellas." It was interesting to hear Jackie tell Kathy that lesbians don't appreciate sexual humor as much as gay men do, but sex toy humor was fair game.
Although the laughs weren't, obviously, as prevalent as the average episode, other funny parts included:
— Kathy announcing that her assistant Jessica has come out of the closet: "Hot news flash! Jessica's gay now!" Seems that MySpace turned her gay, according to Kathy. But she warned that Jessica better not pull an Anne Heche: "Don't pull that fake dyke s--t with me!" And after being at a dinner party with Ellen and Anne a while back: "I knew that was a fake dyke a mile away."
— Kathy's comments about that religious guy named Christian with the bangs at the Redken convention who thought she swore too much, calling him "Jesus with the weird bangs" and then asking: "What would Jesus do? He wouldn't wear bangs."
— After she heard Mariah Carey was giving Britney Spears advice: "That's the blond leading the bald."
— Kathy, recalling her father's reaction years ago after his best friend, Mr. Gillian, redesigned his rec room: "What a s--t box!"
It's good to know that Maggie will continue to be featured in future episodes, like next week when Kathy asks her to move in. The spirit of the great John Griffin will live on, through Maggie and through Kathy's humor. As an almost weekly contributor to his daughter Kathy's show, he will be missed.
You can watch more Kathy Griffin videos in our Online Video Guide.
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Jun 20, 2007 3:42 AM
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Best D List episode ever. Kathy's uh, "little man in the canoe" jokes. Kathy gorging herself at the little Dutch town. Kathy bombing at the corporate event. Kathy "auditioning" the handymen. Kathy getting beat up by the work out. Kathy molesting the gay guy. Kathy's "real life" colliding with her "reality" show, and how she and her family dealt with everything. Kathy getting right back on the horse and doing the gig after her father's memorial. This episode had everything. I have to give it to Kathy to have allowed Bravo to show everything instead of just burying it all and maybe commenting on it later. I was surprised Kathy made the comment about her Dad being in Heaven given that she's an atheist, but maybe that was to honor her Dad's belief? Anyway, I hadn't been looking forward to this episode and leave it to Kathy to have wrapped the terrible sadness within a lot of funny. RIP John Griffin.
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Jun 20, 2007 6:52 AM
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Dave I also cried. A few years back my mom was rushed to the hospital for the same thing Kathy's dad had congestive Heart failure. She was doing fine until February of this year. She was rushed to the hospital for a heart attache. That was the same time during George dads death on Greys. And I defiantly cried my eyes out on that episode. To make a even longer story short, she is doing much better now. And I'm also dreading that one phone call, that I don't want to get anytime soon.
Anyway, Kathy defiantly got her humor from her dad. I'm glad she did the gigs in Vegas, her dad would of wanted her to do it. And bravo to Bravo, and Kathy for addressing this.
darctyte-the scenes you mentioned were also my favorite. I especially laughed hardest at the handyman who said he would get a prostitute to handle that particular issue.
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Jun 20, 2007 7:40 AM
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My throat ached during the montage of John's photos and video shots. RIP. Regarding the handyman interviews, I also loved the guy who didn't know who Kathy was and Kathy's face when she responded "in my own home."
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Jun 20, 2007 8:28 AM
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I recorded last night's show but didn't want to watch it until I read the TVG blog about it. I lost my father a few years ago and even though time heals wounds, I learned while watching the episode of GA when George's dad died that those wounds can still be reopened.
So I'm glad to hear there was a lot of humor in the episode. I look forward to laughing through the tears. I, too, recall the anxiety of waiting for that dreaded phone call. My dad was in hospitals for nearly 4 months before his heart finally gave out and every time I saw my mom's number pop up on caller ID, I think my own heart skipped a few beats.
Kudos to Bravo for keeping reality tv so "real" and to Kathy for opening herself up to viewers during a very difficult time. And thank you Dave & the other poster for pointing out some of the funnier moments of the show. I'll be looking forward to the cursing mom & Anne Heche bits.
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Jun 20, 2007 9:27 AM
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Great episode. I was a crying mess last night. They did a great job honoring Kathy's dad. All the photos set up for the memorial service and the video montage at the end killed me. I'm glad Kathy did her Vegas shows. It's what her dad would have wanted. Can't wait to see her mom next week.
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Jun 20, 2007 9:43 AM
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Her dad was such a cutie. You just wanted to scoop him up and hug him. Her parents always crack me up. I too appreciate Kathy's desire to have this be a true reality show.
I do cringe though when she bombs. Not all audiences are designed to hear her style.
One thing distracted me during this episode...anyone know what was wrong with her left ring finger? When she was at the Vegas hotel talking on the phone, you could see what appeared to be some kind of lesion or bruise on her finger.
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Jun 20, 2007 10:18 AM
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This epi was so powerful, and a true example of what a reality show should be. Just showing someone living their life, and dealing with obstacles thrown in front of them.
Kathy's a strong gal to be able to perform while she was so worried about her dad. Those Redken people were losers! I mean, what did they expect from a comedy show by KATHY GRIFFEN in VEGAS!!! and who books a comedian in the morning?
Honestly, I did not enjoy Kathy until I started watching this show. I thought she was just loud. I have since changed my mind, and she is awesome!!
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Jun 20, 2007 10:30 AM
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Mdjones - I also wondered what was up with her finger...it looked like a bruise or something.
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Jun 20, 2007 10:32 AM
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mdjones
I noticed Kathy's finger as well. It appeared to be her ring finger. So I'm guessing she had her finger tattooed with a ring when she got married.
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Jun 20, 2007 10:35 AM
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She did have a tattoo on her ring finger. I heard she was trying to get it removed. Maybe that's why it looked so weird.
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Jun 20, 2007 11:56 AM
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I love this show and wish there were more episodes in a season.
Was so sad for Kathy's Dad to die, but the love between him and Kathy was so real. He was thinking of her even in that last phone call. I admire Kathy and Bravo for making her parents a big part of the show. They are not Ozzie and Harriet, but just as loveable, and somehow the swearing is just a enduring part of who they are. I'm betting Mom doesn't want to move in with Kathy, tho.
Great episode, shows how hard work it is being a comedian.
Kathy is going to be on Larry King Live on Thursdaym check it out.
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Jun 20, 2007 12:20 PM
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I am feeling an Emmy nod for last night's show. It was by far one of the most touching reality moments i have ever witnessed. It is very rare that we get to see that kind of heart felt emotion on the series and what a touching tribute to a man who gave so much of himself to better his family and encourage Kathy's dreams.
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Jun 20, 2007 1:42 PM
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I loved last night's episode too! Very heartfelt. It reaffirms to me that the Kathy we see on TV is the real everyday Kathy.
It's weird that though this episode was a very sad episode, I found myself laughing out loud many times throughout the episode (more so that the other 2 episodes of the season). Along with all the funny bits that others mentioned, I was rolling on the floor when she started talking about the guy who was a 'cl!t flicker' (dont know if it's even appropiate to mention it here but darn if it wasn't funny!) and the humor just continued in the midst of the sadness.
I held my breathe when she did the first show after her dad's death. I was scared she was going to break down. She's a strong woman. It's been 11yrs since my sister passed away from a brain tumor and I still tear up talking about her sometimes. Some wounds never heals, you just learn to cope.
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Jun 20, 2007 7:08 PM
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last night's show was amazing! when you roll humor and sadness together...you get the best possible combination. my favorite movies to watch are the ones that are hilarious, but are also sad.
I was very sad to see kathy's dad pass away, but he led a very full life. I love how kathy reacts to everything and her outlook on everything...I just love her...if she ever wants to bang a 21-year-old...look no further lol
*OMG...the scene when kathy and the gang were driving and kathy was talking about the cl!t-flicker(sorry tvguide, but this is too funny not to talk about)...I seriously went into an asthmatic fit and I don't even have asthma.
*that corporate gig she did in vegas...man, there are some really uptight people in this world and they really need to get that massive stick out of their butts. I love how that lady asked her not to use the f-word anymore and she still did...you rebel!
*the handyman audition...oh gosh. if you can fix everything...how would you fix my career? too funny!
*ok...lemme just say this...I do not believe that jessica is gay. I think she might THINK she's gay, but I don't buy it. when they were talking about the handyman, she was saying to hire a cute guy who looks good w/o a shirt...need I say more? and this was the first time I noticed jessica all "tatted" up...which isn't neccessarily attractive to me, but jessica is still a very beautiful girl.
DAVE...is there any way we could get a ratings update for last week's show? if at all possible, also for last night's show?
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Jun 20, 2007 8:36 PM
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