Comic Kathy Griffin gets weekly talk show on Bravo

The Associated Press, Wednesday, April 18, 2012, 5:04pm (PDT)

NEW YORK (AP) -- Kathy Griffin jokes she's been banned from most talk shows for poking fun at the rich and famous. But that shouldn't be a problem now that she's got her own weekly talk show on Bravo.

Griffin said in a recent interview that the show will not be celebrity oriented and she will poke fun at people in all walks of life, including herself.

"Hear me out. I am going to make fun of celebrities as I will make fun of all people, places and things, including a lot of crazy things from my own life," she said. "But I don't want celebrities on the panels.

"I actually want to talk to real life people who may not lose their jobs because of the things they say. I might lose mine, of course. I could be banned from my own talk show. It's not unheard of," she said.

One topic she'll definitely address is politics.

In 2010, Griffin confronted Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann over her views on gays at the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association Dinner. Griffin has also made jokes about former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and her family. Palin finally addressed Griffin's pokes last year, calling her a "50-year-old bully" on Fox News.

Griffin, a self-professed news junkie, won't hold back on "Kathy." She appreciates the timing of her show's debut during a political year.

"A lot of naturally funny people don't know they're funny," she said. "It's what makes them funny."

As most talk show hosts have sidekicks, Griffin will bring on people from her inner circle, including her mother Maggie and assistant Tiffany Rinehart.

Maggie Griffin has become somewhat of a celebrity in her own right. She published a book in 2010 called "Tip It! The World According to Maggie Griffin."

"My mom already called in sick one day which is not appropriate for a new job. Her evaluation may not go that well," Griffin deadpanned.

"Kathy" premieres Thursday on Bravo at 10 p.m. EST.

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Online:

http://www.kathygriffin.net/

http://www.bravotv.com/kathy/season-1/

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Alicia Rancilio covers entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow her at http:/ /http://www.twitter.com/aliciar