This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Kathy Griffin has built a career out of her celebrity encounters. It's the premise of her latest best-selling book, "Kathy Griffin's Celebrity Run-Ins." And it's the title of her tour, which is bringing her to Salt Lake City on Friday.
She's not particularly known for her political humor, but she's not going to avoid dishing on one particular celebrity for whom she has considerable disdain — the new occupant of the White House.
"I'm going to go there," Griffin said in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune. "Whether you like [President Donald] Trump or not, you have to admit he's [expletive] funny. Now, he's funny for a different reason than he thinks."
She's known Trump "off and on for 20 years. So I feel that I can bring something that other comics that just watch him don't."
There's a story in the book about how Trump drove a golf cart around one of his golf courses with Griffin and Liza Minnelli hanging on for dear life in the back.
"You cannot make any of that up," Griffin said. "There's even a picture online to confirm it. … I will definitely not be backing away."
In her book and in her act, Griffin turns celebrities into comedy fodder. And it's hilarious. Among her recollections: Woody Allen arriving at a party and announcing he was there with his "child bride." Harry Styles of "One Direction" drunkenly annoying Tom Hanks, who said, "Sometimes I just want to deliver them to rehab myself." Jon Hamm drunkenly annoying her while she tried to talk to Jack Nicholson. Just sort of hanging out with her pal Cher.
"I pride myself on my stories being real. And most of them are personal," said Griffin, who added, "I feel that I am a magnet for crazy."
She's had multiple encounters with various Kardashians — including matriarch Kris Jenner, who now lives next door.
"And I learned the last thing that she gives a [expletive] about are my jokes," Griffin said. "I think that family used to hate me. And now I get along with all of them because they're, like, 'You are the least of my worries.'
"I love that. That's all I ask."
With the possible exception of Demi Lovato, who unleashed her Twitter minions (complete with threats of rape and murder) on Griffin, her jokes aren't personal or vindictive. She's a comedian. It's part of her act.
"I call it, 'Who's naughty and who's nice.' I love telling audiences the latest behind-the-scenes about New Year's Eve [on CNN] or an awards show I've attended," said Griffin, who promised plenty of new material that's not in the book.
Along with some material tailored to Utah.
"I very much pride myself in research and development," Griffin said. "I've learned that I can look up a few fun facts about a city, a market, maybe the building I'm playing or whatever."
So don't be surprise if maybe she mentions former presidential candidate Evan McMullin. ("I find his tweets kind of wry and funny.")
Griffin is performing at the new Eccles Theater, and she's convinced that venues make a difference.
"I'm on a 50-city tour. Fifty cities is a lot," she said with a laugh. "So I'm always really, really grateful for a place like the venue in Salt Lake, the Eccles. Because a lot of times when you do a newer venue, people are excited. And between that and Banbury Cross Donuts, I can't be in Salt Lake enough.
"I'm surprised, actually, that I never did a show at Banbury Cross Donuts because I actually did a standup show one time in a doughnut shop. And I'm not kidding," Griffin said. "When I was starting, nobody would give me the time of day. … I was all about just going in the side door and doing whatever it took."
She started out with the improv/sketch comedy troupe the Groundlings in Los Angeles; she co-starred in the NBC sitcom "Suddenly Susan"; she starred in her own reality series, "My Life On the D-List." She's got a pair of Emmys and a Grammy; she's written best-selling books; her comedy albums have gone platinum; she's had a string of hit stand-up specials on HBO and Bravo; and she's in the midst of a successful tour. But Griffin still feels like an underdog.
"I'm 56 years old. I'm a female comic. So I have to just jump higher and work harder, whether you like it or not," she said.
She's also counting on some confusion from some who bought tickets to her show at the Eccles.
"I am looking forward to a good, healthy walkout," she said. "Somebody there will think it's 'Mamma Mia!' or 'Stomp.' So 15 minutes into my filth, they'll just storm out."
Twitter: @ScottDPierce —
Kathy Griffin at the Eccles Theater
When • Friday, Jan. 27, at 8 p.m.
Where • Eccles Theater, 131 S. Main St., Salt Lake City
Tickets • $25-$85 at the box office or online at artsaltlake.com