If you want something done right — or even done at all — you have to do it yourself, eh, Kathy Griffin?
“My Life on the D-List” alum Griffin, who received widespread criticism last year after posing with what appeared to be the decapitated head of President Donald Trump, said Monday that she will finance a special based on her “Laugh Your Head Off” world tour herself.
The comedian tweeted Monday that the special will be filmed at a previously announced “super secret show” in Los Angeles at the end of October in an “intimate venue” holding “less than 500 people.”
“I have some news to share…Why am I doing a super intimate show in LA? Well, I decided to bite the bullet and I’m filming my current act, the same one I’ve taken across the world, for a special. Difference is, I’m filming this on my own and with my own money. Here’s why,” Griffin wrote.
“This is not the way I want to do it. I’d rather have a deal with @Netflix @Apple @HBO, but despite the fact that I hold the Guinness Book of World Record for the most televised comedy specials, none of the companies that are in the comedy special biz have come calling,” she added.
Griffin said that, since she kicked off the tour, she’s been asked daily about when a special based on the tour would be released and added, “I want to record my act for my fans.”
Griffin went on to say, “What happened to me with the Trump photo and the story I have to tell is an important part of my history as a comic and a woman.”
The comedian noted that she’d already lined up a director for the special, tweeting, “I’m hiring my own team to film this special. It’s my experience with filming comedy specials that has led me to hire one of the best directors/producers in the business, Troy Miller of @DakotaFilms. He and his team will film this special for me and my production company.”
As for where and when the special will be released, Griffin acknowledged, “I don’t know,” adding, “I don’t just want to put it on YouTube.”
She explained, “It may sit in a climate controlled vault for a while but maybe I’ll get lucky and get discovered by a 28-year-old gay executive at one of the networks. Who knows! Regardless, I want to thank all my fans for their love and support. For buying tickets and buying merch.”
Griffin suffered significant career fallout when the photo was released last year, including the loss of her gig as co-host of CNN’s annual New Year’s Eve coverage.
The comedian also said she had been the subject of a Secret Service investigation because of the photo.
Read Griffin’s announcement below.
A) I have some news to share…Why am I doing a super intimate show in LA? Well, I decided to bite the bullet and I’m filming my current act, the same one I’ve taken across the world, for a special. Difference is, I’m filming this on my own and with my own money. Here’s why.. https://t.co/IPCMLZ0Qp2
– Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 1, 2018
B) This is not the way I want to do it. I’d rather have a deal with @Netflix@Apple@HBO, but despite the fact that I hold the Guinness Book of World Record for the most televised comedy specials, none of the companies that are in the comedy special biz have come calling. pic.twitter.com/Mm0dIqtPH9
– Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 1, 2018
C) Since I launched my world tour last year, and especially as I’ve done sold-out appearances in the US and Canada, there’s not a day that goes by where a fan doesn’t ask me when I’m releasing a special based on the Laugh Your Head Off Tour. I want to record my act for my fans
– Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 1, 2018
D) What happened to me with the Trump photo and the story I have to tell is an important part of my history as a comic and a woman.
– Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 1, 2018
G) So I’m hiring my own team to film this special. It’s my experience with filming comedy specials that has led me to hire one of the best directors/producers in the business, Troy Miller of @DakotaFilms. He and his team will film this special for me and my production company.
– Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 1, 2018
H) This ain’t gonna be cheap honey. And as I said, I’d rather do this with one of the big companies, but there’s a reason I’ve busted my ass and saved my money for the past 30 years…so I can take risks like this.
– Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 1, 2018
I) Where and when will this special be released? I don’t know. One of the things women don’t talk about enough is what they’re worth and what they get paid, I’ve put a lot into this act and dealt with a lot putting it together. I don’t want to just put it on Youtube.
– Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 1, 2018
J) I believe I deserve to get paid for my work just like all the male comics do. Many of the networks/streaming services like Netflix base their acquisition decisions on ticket sales. Well there’s no doubt I’ve given them the numbers they really, really want on this tour.
– Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 1, 2018
K) Comics with 1/4th of my sales get specials. So I feel I deserved to get paid appropriately for my work. But i’m filming this special at my own expense to preserve it.
– Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 1, 2018
L) It may sit in a climate controlled vault for a while but maybe I’ll get lucky and get discovered by a 28-year-old gay executive at one of the networks. Who knows! Regardless, I want to thank all my fans for their love and support. For buying tickets and buying merch..
– Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 1, 2018
M) For defending me when it wasn’t easy…I am filled with gratitude and i hope I’ve repaid you with laughter during your happiest times and most difficult times. Yes, I’m filming this special in-part for myself. But a big reason I’m filming it is for all of you.
XOXO
KG– Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 1, 2018
N) For those of you who are interested in my special, especially those of you who are saying you want to pre-order or want me to sell it directly, PLEASE join my mailing list ASAP (fill out all fields) so I can let you know what I’m going to do with it! https://t.co/JwPYDCdWvh
– Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 1, 2018
Kathy Griffin’s Biggest Feuds, From Donald Trump to Barbara Walters (Photos)
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Comedian of “My Life on the D-List” has earned the ire of many in media and GOP
You don’t get to the top of the D-list without picking a few fights first. Kathy Griffin is both adored and reviled for her outspokenness and provocative comedy. Along with her vocal dislike of President Trump — as exemplified by an infamous photo of her posing with the likeness of his decapitated head — she’s had it out with many in the GOP and media. Here are some of the biggest feuds in which Griffin has engaged — some of which date back to before the Trump incident.
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