Kathy Griffin Returns with Political Comedy Tour and YouTube Series After Nine-Year Exile
Kathy Griffin, the comedian who encountered a professional blacklist after a controversial 2017 image of her with a mask resembling Donald Trump's decapitated head, is embarking on a "New Face, New Tour" across 50 cities, along with a residency in Palm Springs set for early 2027. In an interview on September 19, 2026, she spoke about her YouTube series "Talk Your Head Off with Kathy Griffin," filmed at her Malibu residence, and her upcoming 2024 show "My Life on the PTSD List," currently available on YouTube. Griffin shared her struggles, including eight years without income and a suicide attempt due to the backlash from entities like the Department of Justice and the Secret Service. She criticized male comedians, including Dave Chappelle, for being "fake canceled" and emphasized the need for public figures to stand firm against pressure. Additionally, she remarked on the changing landscape of stand-up comedy, stating that shock-value humor is declining, while the nation remains polarized. Despite ongoing protests at some performances, Griffin continues to craft her own narratives, striving to present politics in a relatable manner without inflammatory language.
Key facts
- Kathy Griffin's 2017 photo with a mask resembling Donald Trump's bloodied head led to a nine-year career blacklist and eight years without income.
- Griffin attempted suicide and documented the experience in her 2024 comeback show "My Life on the PTSD List," available on YouTube.
- She hosts the YouTube series "Talk Your Head Off with Kathy Griffin," filmed in her Malibu home with guests and dogs.
- Griffin is embarking on a 50-city "New Face, New Tour" and has a Palm Springs residency set for early 2027.
- She faced pressure from the Department of Justice, Attorney General, U.S. Attorney's Office, and Secret Service after the 2017 photo.
- Billionaire Robert Kraft pressured Ed Sheeran to cut Macklemore from his tour following Macklemore's performance of "Hind's Hall" and a "Free Palestine" declaration.
- Griffin called Dave Chappelle "fake canceled" and said he didn't get "Kathy Griffin-ed."
- Some of Griffin's shows still draw protesters, typically around 20 people, which she finds pitiful and fun to film.
Entities
Artists
- Kathy Griffin
- Donald Trump
- Ed Sheeran
- Macklemore
- Dave Chappelle
- Joe Rogan
- Cher
- Jean Smart
- Deborah Vance
- Melanie McFarland
Institutions
- YouTube
- Daily Mail
- Page Six
- Department of Justice
- U.S. Attorney's Office
- Secret Service
- Carnegie Hall
- Moontower Comedy Festival
- The Paramount Theatre
- Netflix
- Salon
- Hacks
Locations
- Malibu
- United States
- Palm Springs
- Austin
- Texas
- Las Vegas