CNN and Others Cancel Kathy Griffin Contracts

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Wed May 31, 2017 at 04:54:50 PM EST
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CNN, Unicorn Gold bathroom products and Squatty Potty toilet stools have cancelled their contracts with Kathy Griffin over her Trump photo.

Squatty Potty said:

We have acted swiftly and decisively to demonstrate our commitment to a culture of decency, civility, and tolerance."

It was a disgusting photo. I can't even begin to fathom what was going through her head. Ted Nugent's comment doesn't even compare.

The photos are too close to ISIS' horrific beheadings -- how will the families of James Foley and Steven Sotloff feel?

Griffin has issued what appears to be a sincere apology. [More...]

"I'm just now seeing the reaction of these images. I'm a comic, I crossed the line. I moved the line and then I crossed it. I went way too far.

"The image is too disturbing. I understand how it affects people. It wasn't funny, I get it. I beg for your forgiveness."

I've never been a fan of hers, or watched her for more than 5 minutes, but I suspect her fans, while criticizing her tweet, will still support her. I doubt this is a career-ending mistake. But it was truly awful.

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CNN and Others Cancel Kathy Griffin Contracts | 57 comments (57 topical)

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I don't care much for Ms. Griffin... (5.00 / 2) (#18)
by desertswine on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 10:01:43 AM EST

or her brand of neurotic humor. I find her CNN New Year's Eve show with Anderson Cooper unwatchable. But then I find all those New Year's Eve shows unwatchable.

Political Correctness... (5.00 / 2) (#19)
by kdog on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 11:58:18 AM EST

has surely run amok when ya can't joke about decapitating an historically unpopular and reviled pop culture figure who just so happens to be president of the United States without an avalanche of pearl-clutching public outcry. Whiney liberals like Donald Trump and his supporters, and their fragile snowflake feels, make me sick. They should go find a safespace at Oberlin if they can't hack it in the real world.

Tiger Woods: "Nobody could screw up their (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 04:09:53 PM EST

career like I did this weekend."

Kathy Griffin: "Hold my beer..."

Well played... (none / 0) (#41)
by kdog on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 04:43:05 PM EST

You've bested the career comedian...now how's your golf game?


Ha! I actually played a course last week (none / 0) (#43)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 04:52:13 PM EST

that I watched Tiger play years ago. He played like he was throwing darts, I played like I was throwing up. Had a blast with some friends though.


: ok, please stay on topic (none / 0) (#54)
by Jeralyn on Sat Jun 03, 2017 at 11:11:21 AM EST

you can write about Tiger and golf in an open thread

What most amazes me with this story (5.00 / 2) (#45)
by CoralGables on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 06:27:47 PM EST

is that there is actually a company named Squatty Potty

: That made me laugh (none / 0) (#46)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 07:24:08 PM EST

Because my brother used to call my sister squatty body.
She was short. The three boys were all more or less tall.
Just felt that needed some context

Speaking of milking things (none / 0) (#1)
by Militarytracy on Wed May 31, 2017 at 05:13:37 PM EST

The President is attempting to really play it up how devastating this is to his kids. No word on what he put the Obama children through every day.

She was trying to stay relevant, edgy (none / 0) (#2)
by McBain on Wed May 31, 2017 at 05:19:02 PM EST

For entertainers to do that, they have to take risks. She probably didn't run this idea by her publicist, manager, agent and it cost her.

Who should CNN replace her with for New Years Eve?

: They should forgive her (none / 0) (#4)
by Militarytracy on Wed May 31, 2017 at 06:03:34 PM EST

She's great with Anderson. But Fox is running dead last and I'd like to keep them there soooooo Chelsea Handler

Not really caring about this (none / 0) (#3)
by CaptHowdy on Wed May 31, 2017 at 05:59:11 PM EST

I had not seen the photo until I just searched for it.

Yikes.

I admit I may have rolled my eyes at hearing this and what a big deal was being made of it. Plus I pretty much always come down on the side of comedic freedom and usually am all for pushing that envelope in the interest of satire.

But, yikes.

It's not really funny. A bit less gruesome might have been funny.
Not really funny.

Plus
I know basically nothing about this woman.

While I do like Kathy Griffin, ... (none / 0) (#5)
by Donald from Hawaii on Wed May 31, 2017 at 07:26:13 PM EST

... I'm dumbfounded regarding her decision to participate in this horrific photo shoot. How could she not see that most people, even those of us who both like her and dislike Trump intensely, would regard this as jaw-droppingly offensive?

I'm glad that she quickly issued her mea culpa and took responsibility for her actions. In my opinion, she should even go further and directly apologize to the Trump family personally.

But Ms. Griffin ought to also take some time off here, and rethink her entire raison d'etre as a comedian in light of this egregious misfire. Likewise, I don't necessarily believe it to be a career-ending faux pas. But it very well could be if she pulls a similar stunt in the near future.

Aloha.

Never been a big fan of Ms Griffin (none / 0) (#6)
by Chuck0 on Wed May 31, 2017 at 08:07:16 PM EST

but I'd hire her tomorrow for anything. Stop the faux liberal outrage. This is why the left keeps losing. Stop being nice. Stop being touchy feely. I agree with Bill Maher. Liberals need to get mean. Get tough. Taking the high road is obviously not working. Sometimes you got to get down in the mud to win the fight. I have no problem with the photo.

Normally (none / 0) (#7)
by CaptHowdy on Wed May 31, 2017 at 08:27:16 PM EST

I am in complete agreement with this. And I rarely disagree with Maher. That said, not sure this is the way.
Couple of things. First, it wasn't funny. Plus in all the awful racist stuff and even encouraging violence against Obama, I don't remember a bloody head. (Someone will probably find one for me now) even so, it was just dumb IMO.

It just gave them a perfectly valid, in the eyes of most - clearly, reason to whine about the mean old libruls. And for Mr AND Ms Trump to get all concerned about the children.

And finally I don't think we win by getting into a sliming contest with Trump and the Trumpettes.

As George Bernard Shaw said,

"Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it."


And now I remember who she is (5.00 / 1) (#8)
by CaptHowdy on Wed May 31, 2017 at 08:35:04 PM EST

The new years eve twit. I think I agree with those who say it was a ham handed cry for attention.

Careful what you wish for


Really stupid misfire (none / 0) (#14)
by Lora on Wed May 31, 2017 at 10:26:47 PM EST

I don't know her. I don't like what she did. She was fired. She apologized. 'nuff said.

The anti-left will run with it as far as they can. Best strategy right now is to keep silent about it and move on to other things.


I agree it was not funny. (none / 0) (#15)
by Chuck0 on Wed May 31, 2017 at 10:28:00 PM EST

But sure was delicioso. It was like visions of sugarplums dancing in my head.

And perhaps sir, the left should become the pig in the aforementioned scenario. Get down in the mud, and like it.


We should (none / 0) (#16)
by CaptHowdy on Wed May 31, 2017 at 10:47:31 PM EST

We really should but it would never work for at least a couple of reasons.

First we are not very good at it. Second we don't blindly approve of anything awful thing just as long as it is at the expense of them. Look around you. There really is I think more outrage on the left over this than from the right. Something you will never ever see from the other side. That's because we a actually believe in things other than winning. More that anything we love to lose because if our moral superiority. We f@cking love it.

I share your frustration. I really do. Many times over the years I have wished our side would be as ruthless and "stab them in their sleep" as they are. I've accepted it won't happen. We suck at it.


: One other thing (none / 0) (#17)
by CaptHowdy on Wed May 31, 2017 at 11:11:56 PM EST

Just to be clear. I am not outraged. I'm not offended particularly. My main complaint is, it wasn't funny. If that's what it was supposed to be and I assume it was.
It was just dumb.

Bill Maher (none / 0) (#56)
by thomas rogan on Sat Jun 03, 2017 at 08:31:15 PM EST

He has his own problems...


Was She Parodying Benvenuto Cellini? (none / 0) (#9)
by RickyJim on Wed May 31, 2017 at 08:40:28 PM EST

The famous statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa. For example.

If we are going with classical (none / 0) (#10)
by CaptHowdy on Wed May 31, 2017 at 08:54:13 PM EST

References Salome with the head of John the Baptist seems more likely.

Some how neither seems that likely to me


Here's (none / 0) (#11)
by CaptHowdy on Wed May 31, 2017 at 09:36:57 PM EST

a better version

Even kinda looks like Ms G


It Seems to Me (none / 0) (#12)
by RickyJim on Wed May 31, 2017 at 09:53:12 PM EST

that the monster Medusa being slain by the hero Perseus is a closer analogy to what she was trying to say. John the Baptist, although perhaps a religious fanatic, got into the trouble that lead to his death because he criticized the marital behavior of Herod Antipas.


: I feel sure (none / 0) (#13)
by CaptHowdy on Wed May 31, 2017 at 09:59:31 PM EST

This very debate is occurring between and among Kathy Griffith fans all across the country and the world.

bad analogy (none / 0) (#57)
by thomas rogan on Sat Jun 03, 2017 at 08:32:10 PM EST

Trump being the John the Baptist and Kathy Griffin being Salome is not the image leftists should be trying to project...


Maybe I Am Giving Her Too Much Credit (none / 0) (#55)
by RickyJim on Sat Jun 03, 2017 at 12:04:59 PM EST

for having some clever cultural reference in mind. As far as I know, the only explanation for the image she has given is, "I caption this 'there was blood coming out of his eyes, blood coming out of his...wherever," an obvious reference to Trump's comments on Megyn Kelly. Apparently many people think the real purpose was that Griffin was expressing a desire that Trump receives the same treatment from ISIS that they have performed on many people that organization consider enemies. In any case, it seems to me that she was being stupid more than funny or clever.


I neither condemn nor (none / 0) (#20)
by KeysDan on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 12:23:27 PM EST

justify Kathy Griffin's actions. It is true that it was so on the edge to the point of tumbling over it. Miss Griffin apologized and paid the price of her CNN gig. Now with a spot open on CNN, there is a place for such tasteful, and civil contributors as Corey Lewandowski and Jeff Lord.

: Is Morton Downey Jr. still alive? (none / 0) (#42)
by kdog on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 04:51:04 PM EST

Now there is the political-tainment contributor for this day and age. Or press secretary.

A lot of comedy in the last decade or so (none / 0) (#21)
by jondee on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 12:52:37 PM EST

seems to be more and more about outrageousness for the sake of outrageousness.

The idea seems to be that you have to go further 'out there' now to distinguish yourself from the other comics and establish your brand in the public consciousness at all costs.

As the old Hollywood expression went, any publicity is good publicity.

: The other night we were watching @Midnight, ... (none / 0) (#26)
by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 02:36:39 PM EST

... which follows The Daily Show on Comedy Central. The funniest guy on Chris Hardwick's panel of comedians was actually the non-comedian, rocker Sebastian Bach, former lead singer of the heavy metal band Skid Row. The other two panelists were funny, too, but as professionals they often seemed to be trying too hard, while the amateur Bach was just happy to be there. He's self-deprecating with a great sense of humor, and it came across naturally onscreen.
I think some of the funniest comedians are those whose acts reflect their personalities, like the late Robin Williams and Richard Pryor. They are spontaneous and they look like they're really enjoying what they're doing. They'd probably be hard as hell to live with if you were their spouse or roommate, if only because they'd likely wear you out.
Aloha.

Triump is so concerned about his son (none / 0) (#22)
by Towanda on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 01:23:38 PM EST

as he reported that Barron saw the photo and had a reaction that caused his father to . . . tweet from afar and, rather than go see his son, again go golfing afar this weekend.

This is not to excuse Griffin, who went too far.

But Trump staying afar from his son, if truly reacting so sadly, also is inexcusable.

Heaven forbid that ... (none / 0) (#23)
by desertswine on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 01:51:14 PM EST

little Barron is ever exposed to the public obscenities of Mr. Met. By the way, Mr. Met, I understand.

: All Mets fans do... (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by kdog on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 02:40:14 PM EST

and anybody who would heckle poor Mr. Met over the disappointing 2017 campaign (so far, ya gotta believe) deserves something more than the bird, and less than a beheading.
Give him his job back Wilpon!

And now Trump is 13 minutes late (none / 0) (#24)
by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 02:13:52 PM EST

Explaining to us that his choice is we all melt.

That was one of the worst speeches... (5.00 / 2) (#32)
by desertswine on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 03:16:40 PM EST

that I ever heard. It only re-affirms the fact that Trump is unhinged.


: being described as (none / 0) (#33)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 03:21:02 PM EST

dark, rambling and best of all Chavezesque

If Trump decides to stay, (none / 0) (#25)
by KeysDan on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 02:20:00 PM EST

Trump voters will say good. If Trump decides to leave, Trump voters will say good.


We're getting out of the nonbinding (none / 0) (#28)
by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 02:41:02 PM EST

Paris Accord so we can then get back in :) It's nonbinding but it was going to kill us.

It was nonbinding but compliance was going to kill us :)

It's Obamacare all over again. We have to get out so we can get back in. But first we have to get out and blow everything up. Then there isn't anything to get back into and who knew it was this complicated, but we have to blow everything up before we can...? I dunno. You just have to blow it up.


theater wins (none / 0) (#29)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 02:46:06 PM EST

the planet loses. you were right.

tell you what tho. another loser is the tRump administration. this this only going to energize all his foes.


Yup, hyper drive now (none / 0) (#30)
by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 03:01:04 PM EST

: why are we discussing this (none / 0) (#31)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 03:03:11 PM EST

in the wrong thread? just wonderin

Thomas Ricks really chastised HR McMaster on the (none / 0) (#40)
by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 04:15:07 PM EST

Tube yesterday. Breaking with his norm of not flaming anyone in order to preserve the sanctuary for sources that he normally is. My husband cracks me up. He was listening to him on CNN calling McMaster out, but he didn't know who Thomas Ricks was in the flesh. He asks me, "Who is that?" OMG don't!

In preparing for his DC job I noticed he was sent by his superiors an article from Foreign Policy that they wanted him to take into consideration. I didnt read it, just noticed it on the kitchen table. He knows who Thomas Ricks is on paper, but not person.


Republican Candidate (none / 0) (#34)
by KeysDan on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 03:25:28 PM EST

against Jon Ossoff, Georgia 6th District special election, is using Kathy Griffin's misadventure, rioters breaking windows, and Michael Moore, as liberals going too far. And, Ossoff is one of them.
Republicans will never be elbowed out in a race to the bottom.

yeah (none / 0) (#35)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 03:37:12 PM EST

that whacky Ossoff and his dangerous band of roving librarians


Waiting for (none / 0) (#36)
by KeysDan on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 03:41:46 PM EST

that Montana Congressman who body slammed the Guardian reporter, lied about how it all went down, won the election, and then fessed up and apologized. Also, waiting for the Texas governor who had that edgy joke about shooting reporters to apologize and resign, having recognized that he went too far.


: will definitely happen (none / 0) (#37)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 03:46:49 PM EST

by the time Godot arrives.

Larry King defends Griffin (none / 0) (#38)
by McBain on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 03:54:06 PM EST

I wouldn't have fired her. [CNN founder] Ted Turner wouldn't have fired her. They're jumping all over her now ... I would've kept her.

Comedian Mike Lawrence didn't think she should have apologized...

You know what you did and you should own it," the comic wrote on Facebook.
"You wanted a reaction and you got it. So live in it. Don't apologize. This is you now."

I'm not a big fan of public apologies. They always look so phony. I'm also not a fan of boycotts.

She got what she wanted (5.00 / 3) (#44)
by Repack Rider on Thu Jun 01, 2017 at 05:35:02 PM EST

...attention.

The irony here is that when Ted Nugent did basically the same thing to President Obama, conservatives chided liberals for being "Politically Correct."

Trump RAN on saying stuff far worse than what Ms. Griffin did, and his fans loved the fact that he did not adhere to civilized norms.

Now, because the target has shifted, conservatives are adamant that liberals be politically correct.

You can't explain irony to a conservative. It's one of their missing parts.


: Agree and disagree (none / 0) (#53)
by Lora on Sat Jun 03, 2017 at 08:19:12 AM EST

Yes, the so-called conservatives will change their tune in a heartbeat if they can bash liberals in any way.
But no, nasty hateful speech is not nearly the equivalent of a graphic picture of a bloody severed presidential head held by a triumphant conqueror. That's a whole new level of low.

Griffin enlists Lisa Bloom (none / 0) (#47)
by McBain on Fri Jun 02, 2017 at 10:36:11 AM EST

comes word that the comedian has enlisted celebrity lawyer Lisa Bloom to explain why she shot the image and to respond to the Trump family's alleged bullying.

Should be interesting

What a train wreck (none / 0) (#48)
by McBain on Fri Jun 02, 2017 at 05:16:17 PM EST

I was willing to give her somewhat of a pass but now she's playing the female victim card. Boo hoo.

"This is a woman thing," Griffin said.

No Kathy, it was a risk thing. You took one and it backfired for at least the short run. You're not the victim.


if Mr and Ms Trump (5.00 / 3) (#49)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 02, 2017 at 05:32:00 PM EST

and all the Trumpettes are so concerned about the damage done to the children by this image im sure they will condemn Paul Ryans pac who is running it 20 times a day to attack the democrat in ads in GA.


From that standpoint. Cap'n, ... (none / 0) (#51)
by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jun 02, 2017 at 06:06:23 PM EST

... I'd say that the Republicans are in one helluva predicament, if a misguided Kathy Griffin photo shoot is the strongest political card they can play.


: helluva predicament (none / 0) (#52)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 02, 2017 at 06:18:34 PM EST

up sh!t creek without a paddle
up to their a$$ in alligators
all of the above

Kathy Griffin's Controversial Trump Photo Featured in New GOP Ad

Boohoo my Butt... (5.00 / 6) (#50)
by desertswine on Fri Jun 02, 2017 at 05:49:05 PM EST

Trump has been party to some 4,000 lawsuits over the last 30 years and is currently facing 75 active lawsuits, according to analysis by USA Today newspaper. He's used to it. It's how he lives. He's hurt plenty of people in his day. Any sympathy I might have had melts away like the coastline around his Irish golf club.
