Kathy Griffin Reveals Who Almost Replaced Andy Cohen on CNN's New Year's Eve Telecast & What Happened After
Kathy Griffin has revealed that Leslie Jones was actually in talks to appear alongside Anderson Cooper on CNN’s annual New Year’s Eve broadcast.
If you don’t know, Kathy used to co-host the show but was fired after her controversial Donald Trump photo shoot.
Andy Cohen replaced her for the 2018 broadcast, and was brought back again to co-host this year as well.
Now, Kathy is spilling some tea and revealing that Leslie was in talks and a whole lot apparently went down to prevent her from getting the gig.
Click inside to read her full series of tweets and get the apparent inside scoop…
B) I’ve been in this business for over 30 years…I’ve gotten to know everybody. A few little birdies told me some juicy nuggets…
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2018
D) I was elated when I heard this news. If I can’t get the gig, I will cheer for Leslie. I don’t know her, but I thought it was such a great idea for CNN to have a woman of color over 50 who is so sharp, improvisational, and hilarious. I was ready to congratulate her publicly.
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2018
F) As I started asking around to find out when CNN was going to announce Leslie as co-host, I heard that they had downgraded her to a couple of segments or some sort of a guest role.
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2018
H) Soon after, I heard from a couple folks she had been dropped from the show entirely because NBC Universal did not want her to appear on a different network. This didn’t pass the smell test with me. The #JeffZucker I knew for years could make this happen. What say you, Jeff?
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2018
J) You have to admit, it didn’t make sense that NBC Uni wouldn’t have a problem with Andy Cohen, who also works for NBC Uni, appearing on CNN, but would have a problem with Leslie? Since Leslie didn't work out, CNN couldn't find one woman standup comic star to co-host? Jeff?
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2018
L) I worked my way up by the 10th year at CNN to get a fee of $150,000. By the way, just as a point of reference, Anderson Cooper regularly bragged for years that his annual CNN contract was $10 million a year.
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2018
N) The first two years I appeared on CNN, it didn’t even occur to me to ask for a salary. The 8th year when I asked Jeff Zucker for a raise, he was so angry he docked me 30%. I’m sorry to say I took the pay cut because I truly enjoyed making you all laugh.
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2018
P) I’ve never made serious New Year’s resolutions. Not when I did three shows on NYE at Carolines Comedy Club, or co-hosted MTV’s New Year’s broadcast in the year 2000. Remember Y2K?! I also appeared with Carson Daly in the NBC broadcast and had a blast.
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2018
R) Resolution #1: Try to make as many people laugh, giggle, gasp in shock, throw their head back and have a belly laugh for as long as possible!
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2018
T) Resolution #3: I will stay positive, be as brave as I can in my comedy, never quit, and never let the old boys club keep me silent or out of work.
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2018
U) I love you all and am so grateful for the love and support you have given me. Happy New Year to all of you! I may not be able to have a drink with you, but I have served up a pot of piping hot tea!
XOXO
KG— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2018
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