Podcast Summary: Trash Tuesday w/ Esther Povitsky & Khalyla Kuhn
Episode: "Kathy Griffin’s in Her Redemption Era"
Release Date: February 11, 2025

Introduction to Kathy Griffin’s Redemption Era

In this episode of Trash Tuesday, hosts Esther Povitsky and Khalyla Kuhn engage in a candid and humorous conversation with comedian and actress Kathy Griffin. The discussion delves into Kathy's recent tour successes, personal challenges, relationships within the entertainment industry, and her perspectives on current social and political issues.

Kathy’s Recent Tour Success

Kathy Griffin opens up about the remarkable expansion of her PTSD-themed tour, which has surged from 40 to 75 cities thanks to the support from her fans:

Kathy Griffin (02:04): "You helped push my tour. The Kathy Griffin My Life on the PTSD Less Tour, which went from 40 cities to 75."

She shares her exhilarating experience performing at prestigious venues, including the Boston Symphony Hall:

Kathy Griffin (02:10): "Last weekend I played Boston Symphony Hall. Like I'm the symphony or something."

Her enthusiasm for the tour is palpable, showcasing her resilience and ability to connect with audiences despite personal struggles.

Personal Challenges and Health Issues

Kathy candidly discusses her ongoing battle with Bell's palsy, attributing its onset to stress:

Kathy Griffin (07:00): "I have Bell's palsy, so half of my face got paralyzed from stress."

She humorously addresses the physical manifestations of aging, including challenges with her appearance and the use of hairpieces:

Kathy Griffin (04:04): "I very nervously came here today without my toupee… I have a fake bangs… It's a toupee."

Despite these challenges, Kathy maintains her comedic spirit, turning personal insecurities into relatable humor.

Relationships and Friendship with Celebrities

Kathy reminisces about her time with The Groundlings, a renowned improvisational theatre group in Los Angeles, highlighting her interactions with now-famous comedians and actors:

Kathy Griffin (18:05): "We got Will Ferrell. So I became a teacher when I was in the company, and Will Ferrell was my student… when I was in the Groundlings, it was Lisa Kudrow from Friends and Julia Sweeney."

She shares heartfelt memories of her late friend Phil Hartman, praising his genius and the impact he had on her career:

Kathy Griffin (19:00): "Phil Hartman… he was so good… times when I felt like Robin Williams, Joan Rivers, Don Rickles…"

Additionally, Kathy discusses her enduring friendships with other celebrities, including Lisa Rinna and Sia, emphasizing the deep bonds formed over years in the industry.

Reflections on Comedy and Career

Drawing from her improvisational background, Kathy explains her unique approach to stand-up comedy, relying heavily on spontaneity rather than pre-written material:

Kathy Griffin (16:30): "I have an opener. I write all my own stuff… I've been doing it in an improvisational way for so many long years… something happened when my Doc Martens hit that stage, and I just was able to go."

She underscores the importance of flow and authentic interaction with the audience, attributing her ability to connect to years of live performance experience.

Women in Media and Late Night Television

Kathy critiques the slow progress of women taking prominent roles in late-night television, lamenting the industry's persistence with male dominance:

Kathy Griffin (34:24): "No, not since John, has it been one of the, like, four big networks that they've committed…"

She reflects on Joan Rivers as a trailblazer and the ongoing struggle for representation, praising hosts like Nikki Glaser while expressing skepticism about the industry's commitment to change:

Kathy Griffin (35:27): "I could see Nikki Glaser, like, taking over for Kimmel or Fallon or something."

Kathy advocates for resilience and a sense of humor among female entertainers, drawing parallels with the Kardashian family's ability to handle public scrutiny.

Political Commentary and Local Issues

The conversation shifts to Kathy's views on local politics, specifically criticizing Mayor Rick Caruso and the handling of the Altadena fires:

Kathy Griffin (41:01): "He ran for mayor as a Democrat, but he changed his party affiliation a week before he ran… please don't vote for this guy."

She addresses the influence of climate change on wildfires, debunking claims from certain media outlets that attribute the fires to other causes like UFOs or cloning conspiracies:

Kathy Griffin (43:44): "I think it's climate change… horribly devastated…"

Kathy emphasizes the need for proper regulations and zoning to prevent future disasters, positioning herself as an advocate for sensible governance.

Personal Life and Love Life

Kathy humorously examines her love life challenges, expressing frustration with the dating pool of 64-year-old straight men, whom she muses all suffer from Bell's palsy:

Kathy Griffin (51:54): "Have you seen 64 year old straight guys? It's not too good. They all have Bell's palsy. They just don't know it."

She shares her humorous take on online dating, particularly on the app Raya, and her affectionate admiration for comedian David Spade:

Kathy Griffin (51:53): "What are the chances that I'm gonna go on Raya? What am I gonna do? David Spade, I mean, when I saw his picture on Raya, I almost called him…"

Kathy balances this with reflections on self-love and the longing for a meaningful relationship, all delivered with her signature comedic flair.

Thoughts on Celebrities and Public Figures

Kathy delves into various celebrity antics and controversies, including her opinions on Candace Owens, Elon Musk, and Kanye West. She critiques their public personas and behaviors, often with sharp humor:

Kathy Griffin (63:24): "She's a MAGA psycho."

Her commentary extends to discussing the nature of celebrity relationships and the impact of public perception on personal lives, showcasing her knack for blending humor with incisive social critique.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Kathy Griffin reflecting on her enduring friendships, her passion for rescue animals, and her unwavering commitment to humor amidst personal and professional challenges. Her interactions with Esther and Khalyla highlight a blend of vulnerability and comedic resilience, offering listeners an engaging and insightful peek into her world.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Tour Expansion:
  "You helped push my tour. The Kathy Griffin My Life on the PTSD Less Tour, which went from 40 cities to 75."
  (02:04)

• Bell's Palsy:
  "I have Bell's palsy, so half of my face got paralyzed from stress."
  (07:00)

• Groundlings Memories:
  "We got Will Ferrell… when I was in the Groundlings, it was Lisa Kudrow from Friends and Julia Sweeney."
  (18:05)

• Approach to Comedy:
  "I've been doing it in an improvisational way for so many long years… something happened when my Doc Martens hit that stage, and I just was able to go."
  (16:30)

• Women in Late Night:
  "No, not since John, has it been one of the, like, four big networks that they've committed…"
  (34:24)

• Political Critique:
  "He ran for mayor as a Democrat, but he changed his party affiliation a week before he ran… please don't vote for this guy."
  (41:01)

• Love Life Frustration:
  "Have you seen 64 year old straight guys? It's not too good. They all have Bell's palsy. They just don't know it."
  (51:54)

• Celebrity Commentary:
  "She's a MAGA psycho."
  (63:24)

Note: This summary intentionally excludes advertisement segments, sponsor messages, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions and insights shared during the episode.