Double Kathy Griffin Feature, Double the Fun
'Those vegans can suck my dick' – Kathy Griffin
By Meghan Ruth Speakerman, 4:55PM, Thu. Aug. 30, 2012
Kathy Griffin’s stand-up is akin to gossiping over a Cosmo or some other sleazy glossy with your favorite, funny gay.
The comedian refers to the LGBT group as if it were the name of a cocktail or favorite accessory, but she does so affectionately and successfully.
The gorgeous 50-year-old’s style is that of a conversational storyteller, and with it she comfortably powns entire auditoriums as if the whole audience were sitting next to her at a best friend’s dinner. My fellow fivehead sister may be a hair on the long-winded side, especially to those who are new to her routine, but the payoff is well worth the wait. She has a way with her audience that resonates with demographics like the Bravo network as well – so much so that she’s landed four stand-up specials on the channel in one year; a record in the comedy industry.
Like the cool, popular girl at band camp, she proudly rules over her self-proclaimed D-list kingdom with a lot of love for her following, especially her gays. Yes, she loves talking about pop culture and her own humorous awkwardness, but she also touches on serious subjects, like bashing homophobic politicians and the like. For a gossip girl, she can get down to the nitty-gritty, especially when it comes to gay rights activism, even joking about a sign her mother Maggie held at a rally, “Gay marriage, I’ll drink to that!”
Her double feature, Pants Off and Tired Hooker go full circle, with storylines and jokes evolving from special to special. In one, she jokes about the Kardashian-Humphries engagement; in the next, she can bash the quick-to-follow divorce. It may not be the DVD to watch with your two heterosexual brothers (because they may not be quick to admit their Griffin fondness), but for fans and pop culture followers, she is hysterical.
The times when she does stray from faux news about pointless celebrities, it’s gold. It’s when she expands her fan base and appeals to a more general audience, with spiels on how the lifelong nondrinker became a stoner for a week, and the horrors of getting waxed. In case she’s between waxes, “I have a razor in my purse. I’m ready to get fucked at anytime,” Griffin said.
She doesn’t hold back and her shameless honesty is not only a riot, but endearing. Her confidence is seasoned and wise, and with it she can take jabs at herself and point out the differences between her gay and her straight jokes, all in a loving manner. No matter your sexual orientation, gay divorces will be entertaining in the least, with years of “fabulous litigation," according to the comedian.
If, like Griffin, you find it hard to wear clothing, just try to keep your pants on.
‘Twat’ her on Twitter @kathygriffin.
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.