Kathy Griffin: Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Live

Kathy Griffin's reality show on Bravo TV "My Life On The D-List," is a bonafide hit. With 2 Emmy Award nominations this year, 1 last year (which she didn't win) she certainly has a lot to celebrate. Her stand-up shows are sold out in virtually every city she hits. I was fortunate enough to catch her act last night at the Seminole Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. From her opening monologue line, 'What the **** is wrong with Britney?" the 5500 plus audience was treated to over 90 minutes of non-stop laughter. Griffin is not the usually stand-up comedian full of one line jokes. She's more of a storyteller and social observer. She says the things we would all love to say and has plugged into pop culture with a negative spin that is true to form and simply hysterical.

Taking all of her act from her own life we were treated to her run-in's with the likes of Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Paris Hilton, and her nemesis, Ryan Seacrest. Her beef with him stems from an appearance on the American Music Awards a few years back when they were presenting an award together. For no really good reason, accept for the fact that Seacrest was desperate to be on the cutting edge of something, he pulled her blouse open on national television (unknown or unexpected from Griffin) and later explained the stunt WAS rehearsed and part of the stunt. I guess he should have told Kathy - hence the war was on. It is however Griffin's social commentary on celebrity in general that really strikes a core with her audience. One of her funniest bits is her self professed Oprah Winfrey obsession. I have to admit I am addicted to her Bravo show. It is very funny and yet poignant in other moments. Showing her relationships with her assistants and more importantly with her parents (she lost her father last year) is definitely among the highlights of the show. She's not afraid to appear vulnerable (though I'm sure she would never admit it) on television and in no way does it ever seem contrived or scripted. She's pulled us all in to her family and it's a comfortable feeling. According to Kathy herself, "The editing makes her look nicer than she really is." Of course she adds a laugh at the end of this statement. I don't buy it for a second. We, as TV viewers can pretty much tell when we're being conned. I've never gotten that feeling watching her show. Kathy is who she is and makes no apologies for it. Kudos girlfriend.

Whether Griffin herself really believes she's still on the D-List, I personally don't buy it. She done guest spots on The View, various talk shows, she has a couple of DVD releases to her credit, and has sold out Carnegie Hall. Give yourself a break Kathy, you've at least made it to the B-listers. You're on the A-list as far as I'm concerned and I'm sure your many fans would agree. If you have a chance to catch Kathy Griffin live in concert, don't pass her up. We all need a good laugh once in awhile. And Griffin on so many levels delivers just that and more.