Seven episodes later, Kathy Griffin is calling it quits!
The 54-year-old comedian announced in a statement via Twitter that she is leaving E!’s Fashion Police. Griffin, who joined the show following the death of Joan Rivers, wrote:
Let me introduce myself. Hi, my name is Kathy Griffin. I’m 54, have written and starred in 23 stand-up comedy specials, I have two EMMYS, a Grammy, a NYTimes #1 Bestseller, decades of activism for the #LGBT community, have performed for the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, among many other things. When I chose to step into the shoes of my beloved friend Joan Rivers at Fashion Police, I was thrilled to continue her legacy as a woman being brash and eccentric on television. I am a freedom-loving female and gay rights activist who loves to find the funny in all people, attitudes, beliefs, and appearance, but only when the context permits intelligent humor. I thought that I could bring my brand of humor to Fashion Police so that beautiful people in beautiful dresses could be teased when appropriate. My brand of humor, while unrepentant and unafraid, is all about CONTEXT. There is plenty to make fun of in pop culture without bringing people’s bodies into it. Again people… context! Listen, I’m no saint — I’m a feminist AND a Gurrrrl who loves an offensive joke or a well-times barb and you will find plenty in my repertoire. But I do not want to use my comedy to contribute to a culture of unattainable perfectionism and intolerance towards difference. I want to help women, gay kids, people of color and anyone who feels underrepresented to have a voice and a LAUGH! That has been my platform for decades and my body of work speaks for itself. After 7 episodes of Fashion police, I discovered that my style does not fit with the creative direction of the show & now it’s time to move on. I wish E! and the E! team only the best and I hope to continue to make you all laugh performing live or on television where I can be smart, irreverent, unrepentant and unafraid in an observational way that is candid, honest and justified. Thank you to my fans for taking this ride with me. See you at the gay bars… and the MF-ing KENNEDY CENTER Saturday, June 20 and everywhere else! Tickets on sale at KathyGriffin.com. How’s that for #unapologetic?
Griffin’s departure comes just weeks after co-host Kelly Osbourne’s recent decision on leaving the show.
Osbourne exited the show due to the controversy surrounding the series’ episode last month, in which Giuliana Rancic made offensive remarks about Disney actress Zendaya, stating that her dreadlocks at the Oscars probably “smells like patchouli oil” or “weed.”
Rancic, whose comments caused a stir, apologized on her own Twitter and during a broadcast of E! News.
Earlier this week, in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times’ Splash magazine, Griffin was asked if it would have been an issue if she had said the joke, instead of Giuliana. She said, “Probably not. But I wouldn’t have said the joke in the first place. Some dude wrote it for her.”
Griffin did share some advice for her co-host. “Yes: Don’t have anyone write you jokes or even suggest jokes for you on Fashion Police,” she said. “You have enough great insider gossip from actually being on the red carpet. That’s what fans want to hear the next day. Just talk and be yourself.”
E! confirmed Griffin’s departure, stating: “We wish her all the best and are grateful for her time on the show, as well as the many laughs that she gave us all. Fashion Police will return, as scheduled, on Monday, March 30 at 9 p.m. with our talented co-Hosts Giuliana Rancic and Brad Goreski and executive producer Melissa Rivers. No further information is available at this time.”
