A few minutes with the snarky queen we love.

Two weeks ago, Kathy Griffin called Dallas Voice from Hawaii, where she was sneaking in a mini-vacation while gigging in Honolulu. One should never turn down a chit-chat with the perennial “D Lister” — especially now. Known for bashing celebrities and testing the limits of free speech, Griffin is at the top of her game. Last September, while winning an Emmy for best reality show, Griffin said, “Jesus can suck it.”

How on earth will she top that?

The fourth season of “My Life on the D-List” premieres Thursday: That episode follows her while she rings in the New Year on live TV with CNN’s Anderson Cooper (whom Griffin has gushed over — as if Anderson is into chicks).

Immediately following “D-List,” Bravo is airing “The A-List Awards,” which Griffin is hosting. And the ever-busy actress is also coming to North Texas. Today, tickets go on sale for her July 26 show at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie.


So you’re in Hawaii. Are you with a manfriend?
By ‘manfriend’ — if you mean a couple of gay guys — then yes.

Did you watch George Michael on “American Idol” last night?
Oh my god, he was unbelievable. That was the best celebrity performance I’ve ever seen on “American Idol.” He schooled them all. And I know that song [“Praying for Time’] wasn’t one of his biggest hits, but his voice sounded incredible. I’ve been talking about it all morning. But didn’t you think it was weird how he leaned over and apologized to Seacrest that he had a cold?

Are going to see him in concert — have you already got tickets?
I desperately want to see him this summer. I don’t have tickets yet. And because I travel so much, I have to look at his schedule and compare it to mine to see if we’ll be in the same part of the country at the same time. But I have to see him.

Of course “The View” provides an endless supply of fodder, with Star Jones’ divorce and lashing out at Barbara Walters. But I’m really interested in your take on Sherri Sheppard — your old co-star from “Suddenly Susan.” When she flaps her ignunt gums, some stridently homophobic remarks come out.
Ummm … and this surprises you?

She’s a super-religious Jesus freak. And in my opinion, the Jesus freaks are usually homophobic. On “Suddenly Susan,” we really didn’t have any gay cast members, so I’ve never saw her give gay people any shit. But I’m not surprised at all that she’d say something that would offend gays. And that’s why all those right-wing Christians can all go suck it.

Another religious group you’ve managed to piss off are the Scientologists. Have you gotten any feedback or lawsuits for badmouthing them?
Not really. However, I’ve been told that my name has been put on a list!

A list?
Yes. I was told that my name has been added to the PNF list. PNF stands for “Potentially Negative Force.” So I’m very proud of that.

Speaking of Pride … Jodie Foster’s personal life has been getting interesting lately. Last year, Out magazine ran a cover about the “Glass Closet,” which featured her image next to Anderson Cooper’s. Anderson is a big part of first episode of the new season of “D-List.” So tell me — who’s gayer: Clay Aiken or Anderson?
Listen, Anderson Cooper reports on hard news in places like Karachi. And in Pakistan, they’ll kill you if they find out you’re gay. So I’m not going to be the one who asks Anderson Cooper if he’s gay, okay? And with that in mind, I’m not going to compare him as Jodie Foster’s equal.

I’ve been asking people how Dallas’ gay community can acknowledge the fact that George and Laura Bush are moving here when they leave the White House. Let’s say you were trying to out-do your “Suck it, Jesus” remark. What would you suggest gays do to respond to the monumental occasion?
Oh, no. He’s moving to Dallas? Yikes. Ummm … How about egging and TP-ing his house?

Any suggestions that would take the high road?
Listen, I’ve taken that high road before. And I don’t recommend it — it’s just a long and lonely journey.

But isn’t that amazing that we can now joke about toilet papering and throwing eggs at George Bush’s house? Just think, it wasn’t that long ago that Natalie Maines was crucified for saying what? That she was ashamed that the president was from Texas?
We’ve come a long way — and I feel sorry for my Dallas gays that he’s moving there.

I saw that you and your mom opened the GLAAD media awards in Los Angeles, and they gave you a trophy. There’s a drag queen comedian from Texas, Shirley Q. Liquor. And last year, GLAAD condemned her for “perpetuating negative stereotypes.” And this is a gay white dude who performs with RuPaul and Patti LaBelle. From comedian to comedian, do you agree with GLAAD on that?
I’ve never heard of her. But absolutely not — I wholeheartedly disagree. In comedy, anything is fair game. You can’t condemn comedians for making fun of stereotypes. Look at Chris Rock. His “Niggas vs. Black People” is one of his best routines. And I make fun of stereotypes all the time. No way. It’s just wrong to condemn a comedian’s jokes.

On Dallas-related celebrity gossip: Did the breakup of Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo put you in a state of flux?
First of all I love Jessica Simpson. I’ve known her since she was a little kid. And she’s exactly the type of celebrity I love. She told me, “I think you are very funny, and I if you were going to talk about me in one of your shows, I would never be offended.”

But I worked with her a few weeks ago — we performed for some troops. And this was during the whole supposed Romo breakup. Sorry, I don’t have any dish. Jessica seemed like she was in really good spirits, but we didn’t talk about her or Tony.

What about her sister: Have you met “acid reflux” Ashlee?
I think I met her when she was really really young. But I’m telling you, if I could get a nose job that would change my career … Wait, I’ve already had a nose job, but it didn’t change anything.

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CATCH KATHY
Kathy Griffin’s “My Life on the D-List” premieres June 12 at 8 p.m. on Bravo.

“The A-List Awards” airs June 12 at 9 p.m. on Bravo.

Tickets for Griffin’s July 26 at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie go on sale June 6. Visit, Ticketmaster.com.



This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 6, 2008.