The comedian says she has been kept off The Tonight Show for over a decade while controversial figures get a platform.
Kathy Griffin is speaking out about her absence from late-night television. The 65-year-old comedian recently posted a video on Instagram where she claimed she has been banned from Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show. She also criticized Fallon for his decision to host Conor McGregor, the UFC fighter who was found liable in a 2024 s*xual assault case.
Griffin Questions Her Absence From The Tonight Show
Griffin pointed out that her last appearance on the show happened in 2013, when Jay Leno was still the host. She has not been invited back since Fallon took over the franchise.
“I have not done the Jimmy Fallon show since it was on at 12:30 Eastern and Pacific, so I guess I’m banned from the Fallon show, or inappropriate, or too controversial,” Griffin stated in her video. She explained that when you are banned, they do not usually tell you directly. “They just can’t seem to find room for you,” she added.
Despite the claim, a representative for The Tonight Show told Variety that Griffin’s allegation was exaggerated. A spokesperson for Fallon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Comedian Slams Fallon for Platforming McGregor
Griffin clarified that she personally has no issue with Fallon and said he was “always super nice to me” during her appearances on his earlier show. However, she took serious issue with his guest selection.
The main point of her frustration was the decision to host Conor McGregor on the June 16 episode of The Tonight Show. McGregor appeared to promote his upcoming UFC comeback fight against Max Holloway.
The UFC star was found civilly liable in a 2024 Irish court for assaulting a woman in a Dublin hotel in 2018 and was ordered to pay damages of approximately $257,000.
“I think the Fallon folks made a mistake by having Conor McGregor on,” Griffin declared. She argued that the appearance sends a harmful message to women and marginalized groups. She added that it makes it seem like “perpetrators are still going to be out there being glorified.”
A History of Controversy and Booking Choices
Griffin also compared this situation to Fallon’s infamous 2016 interview with Donald Trump, where the host playfully ruffled the then-candidate’s hair. She mentioned that the interview did not sit well with her, just like when Lorne Michaels had Trump host Saturday Night Live.
“I think it’s time we kind of make up our minds about who we’re going to cancel and who we’re not,” Griffin said. “Take it from the most canceled celebrity in history — look it up. As the kids say, do better.”
Griffin has been at the center of controversy herself, particularly in 2017, when she posted a photo of herself holding a fake severed head resembling then-President Trump. The backlash from that incident severely impacted her career. She later remarked that the controversy “broke me.”
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Fans and Christina Ricci Join the Criticism
Griffin is not the only one upset with Fallon’s decision. Following McGregor’s appearance, many fans flooded social media with criticism, calling Fallon “spineless” and a “disgrace” for platforming the athlete. One fan questioned how many women might have been put in danger by seeing McGregor presented as “somebody who is safe to be around.”
Actress Christina Ricci also added her voice to the backlash. She shared a post that detailed the severity of the injuries in the assault case, writing, “Why the absolute f**k is this piece of human garbage being given a platform on Jimmy Fallon’s show. Shame on you, Jimmy.”
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