Comedian Kathy Griffin has criticised The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon, saying she believes his choice of guests sends the wrong message to viewers.
Griffin claimed she has not appeared on Fallon’s late-night show for more than a decade. Although she does not know whether she has officially been banned, she believes she is no longer invited because producers consider her “too controversial.”
The comedian shared her views during an episode of her Instagram series Talk Your Head Off, where she discussed her absence from the show and criticised some of Fallon’s recent booking decisions.
Kathy Griffin Says She Feels Unwelcome on The Tonight Show
Griffin explained that television shows rarely tell guests they are banned.
Instead, she said, they simply stop extending invitations.
“I have not done the Jimmy Fallon show. I guess I’m banned from the Fallon show for being inappropriate or too controversial. I don’t even know. When you’re banned from a show, and if you guys know me, I’m banned from most of them here. They don’t usually tell you you’re banned. They just can’t seem to find room for you,” Griffin said.
Despite her comments, Griffin noted that she has always had pleasant interactions with Fallon whenever they met in the past.
She Criticised Jimmy Fallon’s Interview With Conor McGregor
One of Griffin’s biggest concerns was Jimmy Fallon’s decision to invite Conor McGregor onto The Tonight Show.
She argued that high-profile television hosts should think carefully about the guests they feature because it sends a message to viewers about who is being celebrated.
Griffin said she believes giving McGregor a platform was a mistake.
“I do like Jimmy Fallon as I’ve met him a few times and when I used to do his Later Show, he was always super nice to me. But I do think it was a bad call for him to have convicted rapist Conor McGregor on the show,” she said.
She added that such appearances make her think about how women and marginalised communities may feel when controversial public figures continue to receive positive media attention.
According to Griffin, television personalities have a responsibility to consider the broader impact of the guests they invite.
Donald Trump Interview Also Drew Criticism
Griffin also revisited Jimmy Fallon’s 2016 interview with Donald Trump during the US presidential campaign.
She said she was uncomfortable with the casual tone of the interview and believed Trump was treated too lightly.
The comedian also criticised Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels for allowing Trump to host the comedy show while he was campaigning for president.
Griffin said she hopes the entertainment industry makes more thoughtful decisions about whom it chooses to promote in the future.
Griffin Reflects on Her Own Career Controversies
Kathy Griffin acknowledged that controversy has followed much of her career.
Because of that, she said she has become accustomed to feeling like an outsider in Hollywood.
During an interview, Griffin said she remains proud of everything she has achieved despite facing criticism and professional setbacks.
She pointed out that she has performed in more comedy specials than any other comedian, calling it one of her greatest accomplishments.
Griffin also said criticism has motivated her to keep working rather than give up.
Looking back at one of her biggest public controversies, she admitted her only regret was apologising. She now believes she should have stood by her actions instead of issuing a public apology.
As of now, Jimmy Fallon has not publicly responded to Griffin’s latest remarks.