American comedian Kathy Griffin brings comedy tour to Edmonton

Kathy Griffin is many things — a comedian, television host, author, and advocate. Her life is best described as novel-worthy. From being federally investigated for potential conspiracy to assassinate former president Donald Trump, to losing half of her left lung, Griffin has seen it all.

Now, Griffin is travelling across North America for her new stand-up comedy tour, “My Life on the PTSD List,” inspired by her actual post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. Griffin hopes that the tour will be both therapeutic for her, and hilarious for those watching.

Getting canceled, addicted, cancer, and PTSD: “my whole life is situation after situation”

In May 2017, Griffin broke the internet with a photo of her holding a mask of Trump, dripping with ketchup. The photo, meant to be political satire, resulted in the public cancellation of Griffin and a federal investigation.

“It came quite literally from the Oval Office. Two agencies within the Department of Justice investigated me, and were very serious about charging me with the crime of conspiracy to assassinate the president of the United States. That is unprecedented in the history of comedy,” Griffin explained.

Griffin was officially diagnosed with PTSD, which she announced in April, 2023. She believes the diagnosis is due to the scandal’s fall-out, “which has tentacles to this day” through Trump’s supporters who have not forgotten her.

At the age of 57, Griffin became addicted to prescription pills. After recovering, she received a lung cancer diagnosis. Since she never smoked, this was a shock. Now, only half of her left lung remains.

“My whole life is situation after situation. I just have no choice but to make fun of and laugh about it,” Griffin said. Her show, although she’s very improvisational, will touch on her addiction, cancer, and other things like the “bizarre” PTSD therapies she has to do, she said.

“If you’re going to walk in my house right now, you’d see me on all-fours meowing like a kitty cat. And then I tip my head up and I moo like a cow,” she described. “I don’t know what that’s supposed to do, but I do it everyday.”

Griffin’s tour is stopping in Edmonton, will “definitely be doing local material”

In December 2013, Griffin broke the Guinness World Record of “most comedy stand-up specials by a comedian.” Yet, she said that her biggest challenge to this day is getting people over the stigma that women aren’t funny.

“That’s why I proudly tell people I write all my own material. Which is not the case for many of the comedians that are very beloved,” Griffin shared. What makes her sets unique is that every show is different, as she’s “extremely improvisational.”

“I’ll definitely be doing local material about Alberta, so be careful,” she said. “By the way, you Canadian angels never canceled me. I am so grateful. None of you were scared by that picture.”

Another special aspect about Griffin’s sets is her communication with the audience. As it’s very improvisational, it’s like “a wave we ride together.”

“Don’t be afraid to come see a female comic. I promise we’re funny,” she said. “All I know is I’m back. Going on stage is the most therapeutic thing for me, and it always has been. Something happens when my shoes hit that stage — I relax and feel like I’m at home.”

Griffin will be on stage at the Winspear Theatre on February 23. Tickets can be bought here.