October 24, 2024 • 10 mins
Kathy Griffin is not afraid of anything. She and Bret discuss her personal odyssey, as well as what she thinks of Jerry Seinfeld.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
We have an exciting guest for you this week on
the Brett Sonders Podcast. Let's meet comedian Kathy Griffin. Yes, controversial, Yes,
very funny, and she's coming to play the Paramount Theater
on November the eighth. Kathy Griffin, you're a legend, Brett.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
I'm just a humble legend. I want you to know
that while I am a legend all caps, I'm just
a humble, humble, unassuming icon.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Well that's very nice to hear. Listen, the show is
going to be on November the eighth, So I guess
the first question would be a few days after the election.
Do you think we'll even know who the president is
by November the eighth?
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Okay, I know I'm going to upset some of your
listeners because you know I have a history of being
slightly political, but I have so much faith in President Harris. Yeah,
I call her that. I actually think this one is
going to be decided. It might take a couple days,
but I even though Trump will can test it, we
all know he will. Yes, i think we're gonna know
(01:05):
way sooner than the Shenanigans of last time. So I'm
being optimistic, but I think we're gonna know. I need
to know. I need answers, Brett. I have questions, lots
of questions, and I need answers.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Everybody knows who you are, Kathy Griffin. I first saw
you on the Seinfeld in a fantastic episode.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Where Seinfeld is the Devil's that's right.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
It was like a deconstruction of Seinfeld in that episode.
It was very brilliantly conceived, and you were great in it.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
It was cool because I did one episode of Seinfeld
where I made fun of him, and I was a
totally unknown comic, and then by the time I got
my HBO Max special, I was on a TV show
and so they actually wrote an episode of Seinfeld for
me where my character becomes a stand up comic who
(01:58):
does nothing but make fun of here. And so I
got to go back and do that, and that was
a thrill of a lifetime.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Are you still in contact with him? He's been a
very interesting character as of late.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
No, I can't stand him, is that right?
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (02:15):
True him. Look, I'm a female, I'm sixty three, single
and sexy. He never one time had me on that
Comedians in car driving around and drinking coffee or with
it and I you know, I don't enjoy that. I
feel like you should help out the comics that come
after you when you're that successful. And so I don't
(02:38):
know what his story is with me, but I think
he thinks because I improvised a lot in my act,
that I'm not a real comic, because he likes it
in a computer and writes his act and it's very
perfect and the comics are in the right place and
the periods are in the right place. And no, he's
an amazing comic. He is a national treasure. But my
(02:59):
stuff was very Lucy Goosey, very story oriented. So the
folks that come to see me at the Paramount, they're
not gonna know what I'm gonna say next anymore that
I'm gonna know, And that's how I like to do it.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Why are you calling this Kathy Griffin though my life
on the PTSD list Tour, Brett?
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Where are you? Why aren't you swaddling me right now
and comforting me and petting my hill? Because I have
actually been done, And I know that's a normal question
you get from all of your guests. I do anyway,
I have been diagnosed with complex PTSD, and so because
it happened to me. Of course, I've got to make
fun of myself, and I've got to make fun of
(03:40):
the whole thing because if I don't laugh, I'm gonna cry.
I mean, since I played Denver last there was the
Trump photo scandal where I took the picture of a
Trump pet. Then I got addicted to prescription pills. I
even tried to take my life. I was on a
fifty one to fifty psychol for three days. Then I
(04:01):
got sober. I've now been sober for four years and
four months. But one year after getting sober, I get
diagnosed with lung cancer. And I've been even smoked. So
they took out half of my left lung, and Brett,
I don't like the way you're flaunting your two lungs
in my face right now.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
I do have to tell you. I read that your
voice had changed significantly since the operation, but you sound
exactly like Kathy Griffin to me.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Brett, it's a miracle. Okay. So for three and a
half years, and I admit this like mess with my head,
and I just started thinking, make it funny, Kathy, make
it funny. But for three and a half years, a
voice like this, Oh my goodness, nobody could book me.
Jimmy Kimmel was the only one, God love him. But
(04:48):
you know I'd have to go on there and explain
that I was injured during my lung cancer surgery, so Brett.
As of just eight weeks ago, I got and this
is like modern science for you, I got an implanned
on my left paralyzed vocal cord. So my voice is
(05:08):
back and I'm back and I can be talking smack
about people just the way I'm supposed to be, and
nobody gets spared in this news show. Don't worry. I
certainly don't want your listeners to think I've gotten nicer.
If anything, I'm more bitter and care less.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
I'll bet that you're actually a very lovely person. It's
just a thing that you do when you're on stage,
am I right?
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Well? Look, I like to say that I was raised
by Joan Rivers and Don Rickles and I miss them
both every day. And let me tell you, you couldn't
find two nicer people, right, So I'm not gonna say
I'm in their class because they're they I'm not. But yes,
(05:52):
I mean, I'm not totally like this all the time.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
But don't run my reputation, Bratt, did Rivers ever give
you any good advice that you took?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Kathy Brett, I can't even tell you. I missed her
every day. First of all, you know, I went to
a record Afghanistan and I performed for the troops and
I called her because she had done it. She was
the person I would call just what do you think
about this? Or how do I get through this? She
constantly was giving me great advice and was so generous
(06:25):
with her time, and we would get together and have
dinner or lunch and just talk smack about people. I mean,
it was just pure evil and so much fun. And
Rickles was the same way. I had the honor of
having a dinner party at my house. I mean, I
know this is an old school story, so sorry, but
(06:46):
I had Rickles over and even Sydney Poitier attended, and
to watch the great Don Rickles just give so much
smack talk to the legend Sidney Poitier and Sidney the
laughing going. This man has been making me laugh for decades,
(07:07):
and I thought, wow, it's possible. So you know, I
would love a world where the celebrities aren't quite so
offended every time I freaking open my mouth and do
a joke about them. But I've gotten a few to
come around, but a few of them are still pissed off.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Are you sure that Sidney Potier isn't in the room
with you, because that sounded exactly like him when you
impersonated him.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
My impression was uncanny. No, but it looks it's even
weird for me to say he was my friend, and
I of course miss him. But yeah, I have these
dinner salons and phone salon, I mean lunch salons, and yes,
I make everyone put their phones away. And I learned
that from hanging out with the older crowd, which in
(07:53):
my you know, at that time, Rickles and Joan Rivers
were the older crowd, and they're just not phone people.
You know, we forget that there was a time when,
you know, you actually had conversations with people. So I
love having these parties. They got me through my six
and a half year cancelation, and cancelation is putting it mildly.
(08:16):
I was investigated by the FEDS the Department of Justice,
unprecedented in the history of this country, interrogated under oath,
put on the no fly list, and the inner polist
passed the interrogation, and I actually have an email from
the Department of Justice saying you are exonerated and all
(08:39):
from that picture that upset you know who. Yes, so
everybody knows where I stand politically. I won't apologize, but
you know, a lot of time has passed, and so
luckily I'm so grateful Brett. All these cities where I
couldn't play and I wasn't welcome and I was called
(09:00):
you know, the Queen of isis like all that bizarreness.
It did mess with my head. And yes, I have
been diagnosed with complex PTSD, so I've been through a lot.
But I talk about all of it and I go
kind of deep, but then don't worry. I sprinkle it
with a nice fluffy story about going to Paris Hilton's
(09:22):
house for a party, and then of course I reveal
everyone that was there or going on a vacation with
the singer Sea and we were like Lucy and Ethel.
Everything went wrong, So it was just funny. So it's
a roller coaster ride, this show. But I gotta tell you,
I you know, I'm playing Carnegie Hall. I'm going to
(09:45):
play Boston Symphony Hall. I'm so excited to play the
Paramount again in Denver. I haven't played there in years
and I you are talking to the most grateful comedian
in the world, Brett. I am so grateful to be
back at work.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
I do have to ask you before I let you go,
Kathy Griffin, You'll be at the Paramount Theater on November
the eighth. The whole thing, the photo with the fake
Trump head, would you would you do that again if
given the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Oh yeah, I've got it ready. I got the Halloween
mask and to catch up, and then I have like
these wig heads until I put the League head behind
it to support it. I've gotten the blue dress with
the bow. I'm ready to go. Go ahead, try me, America, Try.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
Me, Kathy Griffin. It's so nice to finally meet you.
I've been watching you for many years. So thank you.
We'll see you on November the eighth. Oh, thank you again,
Kathy Griffin. I'm Brett Saunders. Don't forget to vote.
We have an exciting guest for you this week on
the Brett Sonders Podcast. Let's meet comedian Kathy Griffin. Yes, controversial, Yes,
very funny, and she's coming to play the Paramount Theater
on November the eighth. Kathy Griffin, you're a legend, Brett.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
I'm just a humble legend. I want you to know
that while I am a legend all caps, I'm just
a humble, humble, unassuming icon.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Well that's very nice to hear. Listen, the show is
going to be on November the eighth, So I guess
the first question would be a few days after the election.
Do you think we'll even know who the president is
by November the eighth?
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Okay, I know I'm going to upset some of your
listeners because you know I have a history of being
slightly political, but I have so much faith in President Harris. Yeah,
I call her that. I actually think this one is
going to be decided. It might take a couple days,
but I even though Trump will can test it, we
all know he will. Yes, i think we're gonna know
(01:05):
way sooner than the Shenanigans of last time. So I'm
being optimistic, but I think we're gonna know. I need
to know. I need answers, Brett. I have questions, lots
of questions, and I need answers.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Everybody knows who you are, Kathy Griffin. I first saw
you on the Seinfeld in a fantastic episode.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Where Seinfeld is the Devil's that's right.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
It was like a deconstruction of Seinfeld in that episode.
It was very brilliantly conceived, and you were great in it.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
It was cool because I did one episode of Seinfeld
where I made fun of him, and I was a
totally unknown comic, and then by the time I got
my HBO Max special, I was on a TV show
and so they actually wrote an episode of Seinfeld for
me where my character becomes a stand up comic who
(01:58):
does nothing but make fun of here. And so I
got to go back and do that, and that was
a thrill of a lifetime.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Are you still in contact with him? He's been a
very interesting character as of late.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
No, I can't stand him, is that right?
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (02:15):
True him. Look, I'm a female, I'm sixty three, single
and sexy. He never one time had me on that
Comedians in car driving around and drinking coffee or with
it and I you know, I don't enjoy that. I
feel like you should help out the comics that come
after you when you're that successful. And so I don't
(02:38):
know what his story is with me, but I think
he thinks because I improvised a lot in my act,
that I'm not a real comic, because he likes it
in a computer and writes his act and it's very
perfect and the comics are in the right place and
the periods are in the right place. And no, he's
an amazing comic. He is a national treasure. But my
(02:59):
stuff was very Lucy Goosey, very story oriented. So the
folks that come to see me at the Paramount, they're
not gonna know what I'm gonna say next anymore that
I'm gonna know, And that's how I like to do it.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Why are you calling this Kathy Griffin though my life
on the PTSD list Tour, Brett?
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Where are you? Why aren't you swaddling me right now
and comforting me and petting my hill? Because I have
actually been done, And I know that's a normal question
you get from all of your guests. I do anyway,
I have been diagnosed with complex PTSD, and so because
it happened to me. Of course, I've got to make
fun of myself, and I've got to make fun of
(03:40):
the whole thing because if I don't laugh, I'm gonna cry.
I mean, since I played Denver last there was the
Trump photo scandal where I took the picture of a
Trump pet. Then I got addicted to prescription pills. I
even tried to take my life. I was on a
fifty one to fifty psychol for three days. Then I
(04:01):
got sober. I've now been sober for four years and
four months. But one year after getting sober, I get
diagnosed with lung cancer. And I've been even smoked. So
they took out half of my left lung, and Brett,
I don't like the way you're flaunting your two lungs
in my face right now.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
I do have to tell you. I read that your
voice had changed significantly since the operation, but you sound
exactly like Kathy Griffin to me.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Brett, it's a miracle. Okay. So for three and a
half years, and I admit this like mess with my head,
and I just started thinking, make it funny, Kathy, make
it funny. But for three and a half years, a
voice like this, Oh my goodness, nobody could book me.
Jimmy Kimmel was the only one, God love him. But
(04:48):
you know I'd have to go on there and explain
that I was injured during my lung cancer surgery, so Brett.
As of just eight weeks ago, I got and this
is like modern science for you, I got an implanned
on my left paralyzed vocal cord. So my voice is
(05:08):
back and I'm back and I can be talking smack
about people just the way I'm supposed to be, and
nobody gets spared in this news show. Don't worry. I
certainly don't want your listeners to think I've gotten nicer.
If anything, I'm more bitter and care less.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
I'll bet that you're actually a very lovely person. It's
just a thing that you do when you're on stage,
am I right?
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Well? Look, I like to say that I was raised
by Joan Rivers and Don Rickles and I miss them
both every day. And let me tell you, you couldn't
find two nicer people, right, So I'm not gonna say
I'm in their class because they're they I'm not. But yes,
(05:52):
I mean, I'm not totally like this all the time.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
But don't run my reputation, Bratt, did Rivers ever give
you any good advice that you took?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Kathy Brett, I can't even tell you. I missed her
every day. First of all, you know, I went to
a record Afghanistan and I performed for the troops and
I called her because she had done it. She was
the person I would call just what do you think
about this? Or how do I get through this? She
constantly was giving me great advice and was so generous
(06:25):
with her time, and we would get together and have
dinner or lunch and just talk smack about people. I mean,
it was just pure evil and so much fun. And
Rickles was the same way. I had the honor of
having a dinner party at my house. I mean, I
know this is an old school story, so sorry, but
(06:46):
I had Rickles over and even Sydney Poitier attended, and
to watch the great Don Rickles just give so much
smack talk to the legend Sidney Poitier and Sidney the
laughing going. This man has been making me laugh for decades,
(07:07):
and I thought, wow, it's possible. So you know, I
would love a world where the celebrities aren't quite so
offended every time I freaking open my mouth and do
a joke about them. But I've gotten a few to
come around, but a few of them are still pissed off.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Are you sure that Sidney Potier isn't in the room
with you, because that sounded exactly like him when you
impersonated him.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
My impression was uncanny. No, but it looks it's even
weird for me to say he was my friend, and
I of course miss him. But yeah, I have these
dinner salons and phone salon, I mean lunch salons, and yes,
I make everyone put their phones away. And I learned
that from hanging out with the older crowd, which in
(07:53):
my you know, at that time, Rickles and Joan Rivers
were the older crowd, and they're just not phone people.
You know, we forget that there was a time when,
you know, you actually had conversations with people. So I
love having these parties. They got me through my six
and a half year cancelation, and cancelation is putting it mildly.
(08:16):
I was investigated by the FEDS the Department of Justice,
unprecedented in the history of this country, interrogated under oath,
put on the no fly list, and the inner polist
passed the interrogation, and I actually have an email from
the Department of Justice saying you are exonerated and all
(08:39):
from that picture that upset you know who. Yes, so
everybody knows where I stand politically. I won't apologize, but
you know, a lot of time has passed, and so
luckily I'm so grateful Brett. All these cities where I
couldn't play and I wasn't welcome and I was called
(09:00):
you know, the Queen of isis like all that bizarreness.
It did mess with my head. And yes, I have
been diagnosed with complex PTSD, so I've been through a lot.
But I talk about all of it and I go
kind of deep, but then don't worry. I sprinkle it
with a nice fluffy story about going to Paris Hilton's
(09:22):
house for a party, and then of course I reveal
everyone that was there or going on a vacation with
the singer Sea and we were like Lucy and Ethel.
Everything went wrong, So it was just funny. So it's
a roller coaster ride, this show. But I gotta tell you,
I you know, I'm playing Carnegie Hall. I'm going to
(09:45):
play Boston Symphony Hall. I'm so excited to play the
Paramount again in Denver. I haven't played there in years
and I you are talking to the most grateful comedian
in the world, Brett. I am so grateful to be
back at work.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
I do have to ask you before I let you go,
Kathy Griffin, You'll be at the Paramount Theater on November
the eighth. The whole thing, the photo with the fake
Trump head, would you would you do that again if
given the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Oh yeah, I've got it ready. I got the Halloween
mask and to catch up, and then I have like
these wig heads until I put the League head behind
it to support it. I've gotten the blue dress with
the bow. I'm ready to go. Go ahead, try me, America, Try.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
Me, Kathy Griffin. It's so nice to finally meet you.
I've been watching you for many years. So thank you.
We'll see you on November the eighth. Oh, thank you again,
Kathy Griffin. I'm Brett Saunders. Don't forget to vote.
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