We give her a ‘D’ for diplomacy
The E! cable network may have fired Kathy Griffin for making fake rehab jokes about prepubescent actress Dakota Fanning at the 2005 Golden Globe awards, but the Bravo cable network loves her.
Her hourlong special, “Kathy Griffin: Strong Black Woman,” is set to debut Tuesday on Bravo (9 p.m., cable channel 65 in Spokane, 66 in Coeur d’Alene), and the second season of her reality series, “My Life on the D-List,” launches June 5 on the network.
The stand-up comic delights in celebrity dirt – especially the antidepressant spat between Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields, who acted alongside her in the ‘90s sitcom “Suddenly Susan.”
In a recent interview, Griffin talked about Shields, Cruise and other members of the A, B, C and D lists:
Q: I’m sure people have been asking you about the improbable coincidence of Brooke Shields and Katie Holmes giving birth at the same hospital on the same day.
A: I think it’s great. Brooke Shields should be very happy. … I would kill to have a baby on the same floor as Tom Cruise – and have him (ticked) off at me. I’m telling you, that was a gift from God. I would have sent him a thank-you note and a muffin basket because that whole scandal did nothing but make Brooke more likable.
Q: I always enjoyed your insight regarding the boy bands. Do you miss that golden era?
A: What are you talking about? I happened to have gone to a Backstreet Boys concert four months ago. For your information, AJ McLean is still in love with me, Nick Carter is still going through a lot of personal trauma and I’m there for him, and Lance Bass (of ‘N Sync) called me three days ago.
I don’t even know what you’re referring to, as if the boy bands are in the past, because I will not let go. My dream is a 98 Degrees reunion tour and maybe throw in a little O-Town. I’m not above it.
Q: What do you think of “American Idol” this year?
A: Don’t you love when they talk about their “fans” without one hint of irony? I’m looking at them and thinking, “You’re going to be working at The Limited at the mall in about eight days. So knock it off with your ‘fans.’ “
Q: I see that you have a cameo on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” coming up. Are you waiting for the call from another part of the Bravo family, “Inside the Actors Studio”?
A: I have to tell you, I’m insulted. If J-Lo can do an “Inside the Actors Studio” – and I think they’re on the verge of asking my mom – it should be my turn. I would really like James Lipton to ask my true feelings about Dakota Fanning.
The birthday bunch
Comedian Don Rickles is 80. Singer Toni Tennille is 63. Singer Gary Glitter is 62. Actor Stephen Furst is 52. Actress Melissa Gilbert is 42. Singer Enrique Iglesias is 31. Actress Julia Whelan (“Once and Again”) is 21.