Kathy Griffin plans comeback tour, with shows in ‘Trump’s backyard’

Comedian Kathy Griffin says she’s embarking on a comeback tour, some nine months after provoking outrage — and losing much of her work — by posing with a fake severed head of President Donald Trump.

Griffin announced on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” Friday night that she has booked upcoming shows at New York City’s Carnegie Hall and at Washington’s Kennedy Center.

“Trump’s backyard,” she called it.

“I’m dipping my toes into touring again,” Griffin said, asserting that the president and his supporters would likely prefer she never worked again.

Griffin’s appearance on Maher’s show appeared to mark the beginning of her comeback attempt, after the backlash over the offending photo last May badly hurt her ability to work.

“TMZ was reporting my show cancellations in real time,” she said. Griffin also lost her longtime New Year’s Eve co-hosting gig with Anderson Cooper on CNN.

“TMZ was reporting my show cancellations in real time.”

– Kathy Griffin

Unable to tour in the United States, Griffin went overseas, performing in 23 cities in 15 countries, she said. But because she was under investigation in the United States, she was “detained at every single airport.”

Griffin thanked Maher for being one of the few celebrities who publicly supported her during the ordeal. Introducing Griffin, Maher told the audience that “she is a good American who loves her country and should be able to work in it.”

Griffin initially apologized for the photo but later retracted the apology because, according to her, the reaction had gotten so out of hand.

Referring to the desire of some Trump supporters to “decimate” her, she raised her arms defiantly and exclaimed, “I’m not decimated!”

Griffin was scheduled to appear on Jimmy Kimmel’s program as well this week, but canceled due to scheduling conflicts.

In preparation for both appearances, Griffin offered a job to Suzie Hardy, Ryan Seacrest’s former personal stylist who accused him of sexual misconduct.

“Hey Suzie Hardy, I will do for you that which no one did for me after May 30,” Griffin tweeted Sunday. “After you were brave enough to speak out I’m happy to offer you a job as my stylist to dress me this week for Jimmy Kimmel and Real Time & I’ll PAY you. What ya think? KG”

Hardy did not respond online to Griffin’s tweet.  

The Associated Press contributed to this story.