Kathy Griffin show to focus on ‘panel of civilians’
LOS ANGELES — As Kathy Griffin gears up for the April 19 premiere of her first talk show, Kathy, on Bravo, she talks about her new project.
Q. You’re not planning to have big celebrity guests on your show. Is that because it’s tough to book them?
A. For me ... it would just be a different kind of a show. I think it’s great that a woman like Ellen Degeneres can be a comedian and segue into a show in which everyone adores her and she never offends anybody. That is just not my story, not by a mile. The network is pressuring me pretty heavily to have celebrities. Hey, let’s face it, they get big names on (Bravo’s other talk show) Watch What Happens Live, like Sarah Jessica Parker and Liam Neeson. ... Of course I’m a fan of Sarah Jessica Parker. But when I think about sitting across from (her), how could I possibly say the (...) that’s in my head when I know I’m going to offend them or one of their best friends? This has to be a place where nothing is off the table. I’m so evil, I’m making fun of the guy with a speech impediment from Bachelor Pad because I’m fascinated that there’s a guy with a speech impediment who just can’t stop going on reality shows.
Q. So you’ll have a panel of comedians instead?
A. I’ll have what I call a panel of civilians. I really love finding people, like my mom, who is a regular person who just happens to be opinionated and super funny. There’s a friend of mine who’s a screenwriter whose sister is a dog trainer for Cesar Millan and that’s how I met him — he’s a legit weirdo.