Kathy Griffin Says She’s Hurt Over Not Being Booked for Rosie O’Donnell’s Jimmy Kimmel Guest-Host Week

Kathy Griffin disclosed on her podcast Tuesday that she felt wounded by her exclusion from Rosie O’Donnell’s stint as a guest host on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” The comedian, who described herself as close friends with both O’Donnell and Kimmel, said she decided to address the matter candidly during her “Talk Your Head Off” show.

Griffin acknowledged the situation felt personal and admitted she might become emotional discussing it. She emphasized that while the topic involved television, the underlying matter extended beyond the entertainment industry’s surface-level dynamics, touching on deeper issues within her professional community.

O’Donnell began her guest-hosting duties Monday and continues through Thursday. Jimmy Kimmel announced earlier this year that O’Donnell would helm the show as what he characterized as a special gesture toward President Donald Trump, whom O’Donnell regularly criticizes on air.

Griffin noted that O’Donnell had made comments on a recent podcast appearance that she interpreted as unsupportive of Griffin’s notorious 2017 photograph depicting a bloodied mask resembling Trump. She said she had hoped for backing from her Hollywood community following the image’s backlash but instead faced isolation.

O’Donnell responded on Instagram, stating she did not control the guest-booking process. Griffin subsequently clarified that O’Donnell likely had no input regarding which guests appeared during her hosting week and encouraged audiences to remain supportive of the show.

During her opening monologue Tuesday, O’Donnell continued her comedic attacks on Trump, employing nicknames such as “Mango Mussolini” and sarcastically thanking him for reviving her television visibility.