I have never found Kathy Griffin to be funny. I know that comedy is subjective but I have never come close to cracking a smile while viewing any of her many “routines.” By now we all know the controversy she has created by appearing in a photo shoot holding a bloody, severed mask of President Trump. She has received severe backlash, lost some endorsement deals and was fired from her annual New Year’s Eve appearance on CNN.
However, she wasn’t wrong. Based on her first amendment rights she is free to say whatever she wants. She is guilty of using bad judgment and should not be surprised by the repercussions she now struggles with. If her goal was to create a media firestorm and have her name appear in various search machines and to trend up on Twitter than “mission accomplished.” There IS such a thing as bad publicity and she now swims in those shark infested waters.
It wasn’t funny. That was my first reaction when I saw the picture and even if you are a Kathy Griffin fan I doubt you can explain where the humor lies. People are more likely to forgive offensive humor when there is a payoff. This was just plain offensive. Anyone can shout, say or do something shocking that will bring an outcry and a response from an audience but unless there is a payoff then you are just a five year old throwing a temper tantrum in the bank line.
I am a big believer in telling people how ya feel instead of telling them what they wanna hear but you have to understand this comes with a certain amount of risk. If you fear the outcome of your actions then it is best to keep those thoughts to yourself. The good news for Griffin is that she has apologized profusely and this is a forgiving and forgetful society. Time will heal the wounds but the one thing it will never do is make Kathy Griffin funny.
I agree that we are lucky to have a first amendment and that, although it was totally in bad taste I support her right to do what she did. However with that right comes responsibility and in this case her losing endorsements and jobs are part of her personal responsibility. She cannot and should not blame anyone for the repercussions of her actions.
Very nicce post