Kathy Griffin's 'View'

[Alohalia]

What are 'lesbian' kid activities? And who's kids were up at dawn doing these lesbian activites? She chose to get a laugh from the View's 90% straight audience at the expense of our children. Make jokes about anyone but not our kid's huh!!!!!! She's way off the mark on this one. It was a gay and lesbian family cruz, not a lesbian cruz and it does not indicate that our children are especially 'lesbian'. Ours were certainly not doing late night lesbian stuff, any more so than any other kids on any other cruz. She needs to know where to draw the line.
Repeating the word lesbian and joking about our kids and their activites was poor comedy. She made it sound like lesbian kids were involved in late night freaky deaky on the 'Rosie's lesbians and their kids cruz'. We were there and it was the most lovely of family style functions, in good taste, and with all due respect, a tribute to the excellent parenting these families of choice demonstrated. I did not see her at the teen panel discussion at which eloquent youth spoke with pride and dignity about their families.
Kathy, had she been around the common areas of the cruz at all, would have witnessed this. Her few seconds of fame are sure tainted by makeing up sick jokes.
(Two lesbian moms and an innocent daughter, who were on the rfamily alaska cruz).

[3texans]

I saw her and didn't appreciate her humor either. I think she was so flustered to be in the presence of Barbara again, that words just nervously flew out of her mouth! If she would have mixed amongst our families, she would have seen and felt the love on that boat.

When Joy Behar returned from a previous rfamily cruise, she chose to talk about the love, and wonderfully well behaved kids on the ship. She knew this because she didn't hide, and spent time with our families. Most of the entertainers feel free and safe to chat, swim, laugh, and to get to know others on the cruise.

I'm really not sure what Kathy's problem was on The View, but some things just aren't funny. Making fun of our kids is one of them. I hope she is not invited back.

[dreamerr]

This was the second time that one was repeated this summer. I too saw it a few weeks ago but didn't think much of it cause that is what she does. I did wonder why she didn't say more fun positive stuff about the cruise.

She was around a bit but no less then Joy. Both of them only stayed on the ship a few days rather then a week like most of the guest performers. They don't get a full flavor of the ship and our families that way. I believe Joy was on for three days and Kathy for two days or maybe two and a half days.

I had seen Joys interview as well and was not impressed either. I think they are afraid to say anything too positive about us. I believe Joy didn't mingle with us either. I saw her around the ship with sunglasses and a scarf on. I even saw her at breakfast she was dressed like she was hiding from the paparazzi. Give me a break. We aren't going to attack her. When I saw Kathy on the docks she at least spoke and was very nice.

Well that is just my thoughts. I really couldn't care less either way I just want good entertainment. IMHO Joy wasn't funny and I was disappointed with her perfomance since I usually like her. Kathy was a riot in her set that I saw.
:cool:

[Picfan]

I thought Joy was really good and Kathy was also. We saw Kathy as she arrived in the van but we just kept on going. Joy we saw at breakfast one morning and she did a picture with Zach. She left her sunglasses on but I asumed it was a no makeup thing. I have been really impressed with all the performers and how kind they were (with the exception of the one) if we ran into them and spoke.

[BListTrace]

Here's the link to see Kathy's appearance on The View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asP8o_B4Mus

She was on The View for her Emmy nominations and to promote her show and not to promote the cruise or even to talk about the cruise or gay families. The comments about the cruise came when she was asked about her Emmy nomination and how she felt about it. She was describing how she wasn't sitting around waiting to hear about the nomination and that she was "on a cruise in Alaska". She said it was the "Rosie O'Donnell lesbians and their kids cruise". And then said, "And you know the lesbian's kids - they're up at dawn so they're all running around doing their lesbian kid activity". That was it. There were no references to being up all night or implying that anybody was doing anything "freaky deaky".

I can see how it could be offensive - some laughs at the expense of lesbians (more like just the reference to lesbians) and lesbian kids activities (whatever those are). To me, it was really harmless, didn't really seem to make sense for the average View audience member and came off more as an inside joke - "those wacky lesbians and their kids getting up early and doing stuff all the time". She was playing to a crowd of mostly straight women. I guess I'm more happy she didn't slam lesbians exhibiting poor lack of parental judgement for bringing their kids to adult-oriented shows after being asked not to several times and then letting them run down to the stage and interrupt the show.

As for celebrities mingling with other cruisers, I think it might be kind of overwhelming and maybe a bit scary. Think about it - you're on a boat in the ocean with a couple thousand people that want to interact with you and each have a little chunk of your time and attention. At what point do they get to have a bit of a vacation and enjoy the cruise without having to be "on" while trying to eat or work out or have a drink or enjoy the Park Rangers talking about Glacier Bay or PARENT. Frankly, I was surprised at the way people reacted to or interacted with those that were in the HBO documentary. I can't even imagine what it's like for Kathy or Rosie. Can't say that I fault them for keeping a low profile - just because we are gay families doesn't mean we are necessarily kind, respectful, sensible, sane or safe.

I also don't agree with criticisms of the expectation of them to mingle or "mix" with our families to get to know our families and to feel the R Family love. They came to the cruise because they were asked to perform for us - not to live amongst us for a report or documentary or to become the latest spokesmodel/flag-waver for gay families. The fact that they were a part of the cruise and the experience is a statement in itself - they know and support gay families. If they didn't then they wouldn't have participated.

Trace

[BListTrace]

I had another thought on this too...The View hired Rosie for the show. The audience knows that and were still there to see the show. The audience knows Rosie is a lesbian and lesbian parent. If it was a hostile crowd to lesbians, Rosie and their kids then they wouldn't have hired Rosie and Kathy probably would not have made the joke.

Trace

[dreamerr]

BListTrace you are right on point with everything you said. I totally agree. When you rehashed how she said it my wife and I remembered that was exactly right. I, as I said earlier wasn't offended either by what she said. I think some people are way to sensitive when the word lesbian is even mentioned.

I also think it is hard for them to mingle and some people really don't give them there space. I for one, if I pass say Cyndi in the hallway just do what I do to anyone I pass either nod hello or say hi.

[Larry]

I've been reading this thread and I agree with BListTrace. I don't think Kathy Griffin meant to offend anyone. Had she been uncomfortable, she wouldn't have done the cruise. After all, she's a comedienne and was simply making a joke. Also, I remember her being on the ship the whole week. She was usually at Gatsby's late around 11 and I recall her in the 7th floor buffet and walking around Ketchikan. She clearly is a supporter of the gay/lesbian community.

[WAVEJourney]

Here's the link to see Kathy's appearance on The View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asP8o_B4Mus

She was on The View for her Emmy nominations and to promote her show and not to promote the cruise or even to talk about the cruise or gay families. The comments about the cruise came when she was asked about her Emmy nomination and how she felt about it. She was describing how she wasn't sitting around waiting to hear about the nomination and that she was "on a cruise in Alaska". She said it was the "Rosie O'Donnell lesbians and their kids cruise". And then said, "And you know the lesbian's kids - they're up at dawn so they're all running around doing their lesbian kid activity". That was it. There were no references to being up all night or implying that anybody was doing anything "freaky deaky".

I can see how it could be offensive - some laughs at the expense of lesbians (more like just the reference to lesbians) and lesbian kids activities (whatever those are). To me, it was really harmless, didn't really seem to make sense for the average View audience member and came off more as an inside joke - "those wacky lesbians and their kids getting up early and doing stuff all the time". She was playing to a crowd of mostly straight women. I guess I'm more happy she didn't slam lesbians exhibiting poor lack of parental judgement for bringing their kids to adult-oriented shows after being asked not to several times and then letting them run down to the stage and interrupt the show.

As for celebrities mingling with other cruisers, I think it might be kind of overwhelming and maybe a bit scary. Think about it - you're on a boat in the ocean with a couple thousand people that want to interact with you and each have a little chunk of your time and attention. At what point do they get to have a bit of a vacation and enjoy the cruise without having to be "on" while trying to eat or work out or have a drink or enjoy the Park Rangers talking about Glacier Bay or PARENT. Frankly, I was surprised at the way people reacted to or interacted with those that were in the HBO documentary. I can't even imagine what it's like for Kathy or Rosie. Can't say that I fault them for keeping a low profile - just because we are gay families doesn't mean we are necessarily kind, respectful, sensible, sane or safe.

I also don't agree with criticisms of the expectation of them to mingle or "mix" with our families to get to know our families and to feel the R Family love. They came to the cruise because they were asked to perform for us - not to live amongst us for a report or documentary or to become the latest spokesmodel/flag-waver for gay families. The fact that they were a part of the cruise and the experience is a statement in itself - they know and support gay families. If they didn't then they wouldn't have participated.

Trace

Thanks for sharing the video link and your thoughts/opinons. I didn't have a clue what this thread was about or when Kathy was on the View, etc... but, after seeing the video for myself and hearing her banter I'm in full agreement with you Trace. Kathy wasn't slamming anyone or anyone's kids, she's a comedienne and takes the piss out of anyone and everyone. Lighten up people!

Cheers!

Viv
WAVE Journey.com (http://www.wavejourney.com)

[sartek]

Greetings,

Well, I saw the video on youtube.com, as provided by Trace, and I just thought it was funny. It was even more funny because I know what our lesbians' kid does at night - sleeps 10 hours, unless he's cold. Then he wakes ME up at dawn to come cover him up! But that doesn't make anyone chuckle, not even when his parent tells the story... Kathy Griffin was trashing Barbara Walters way worse than the lesbian community - and that was funny, too!

On Rosie's blog, someone asked her about Kathy Griffin's segment on The View and Rosie wrote:

"i saw it - i laughed my ass off
kathy griffin is hysterical"

I'm thinking Rosie knows comedy way better than I do ;) , because I don't get paid to be funny; she does :cool: . I wish I could think as fast as Kathy and Rosie do. Then I might actually get paid...or not :eek: ! Anyway, this is a way too long reply to a sensitive post. Hope this helps.

post with you later,

sartek

(pssst...who only THINKS she is funny, but most people know the truth ;) and then rake her over the coals for it! )

[3texans]

Saying Rosie's lesbian kids cruise and lesbian kid activity as a joke on our cruise might have been funny. Saying it to a whole world of hetero people is not funny. She can mix or not mix with our families. I don't care one way or another. I just don't think she would have chosen that particlur humor if she would have appreciated or known what our families were about.

I realize that she has been supportive of the gay community. I realize that she was not on the View to discuss the cruise. Do you really appreciate that she chose mention this cruise as only a lesbian kids cruise with lesbian kid activities? Seems pretty shallow to me!!

[BListTrace]

Saying Rosie's lesbian kids cruise and lesbian kid activity as a joke on our cruise might have been funny. Saying it to a whole world of hetero people is not funny. She can mix or not mix with our families. I don't care one way or another. I just don't think she would have chosen that particlur humor if she would have appreciated or known what our families were about.

I realize that she has been supportive of the gay community. I realize that she was not on the View to discuss the cruise. Do you really appreciate that she chose mention this cruise as only a lesbian kids cruise with lesbian kid activities? Seems pretty shallow to me!!


You're right...lesbians and gays with kids, grandparents, family and gay-supportive friends as well as childless gay and lesbian couples cruise and doing gay and lesbian kids, grandparents, family, childless couples and gay-supportive friends activities is much funnier and probably would have gone over better with a primarily straight audience. I don't think it would have been as funny on the cruise because it would have made the shows longer and we all had to get up early.

P.S. If anyone is looking for me...I'll be over here in the SHALLOW end of the thread pool laughing.

[teefeb19]

I just saw the Kathy "View" interview and thought that what she said was harmless and hysterical. I am a self-proclaimed #1 lesbian Kathy Griffin fan.
I hope she's back for the Bermuda cruise.

[LICubRN]

I just saw the Kathy Griffin interview and I thought her comment was FUNNY. I have watched her show "My Life on the D-List" and she always talks about how she loves her gays... and she speaks gay speak.... she's totally cool with homosexuals and their families.... but she's a comedian and comedians make jokes all the time. Now here's the thing. I hope we can all agree that whether a comment is insulting or not depends on the individual who hears the comment. Perception is reality and if some people perceived it to be homophobic or insulting then to THEM, it was. If other people perceive it to be hysterical, than to THEM, it was. A comedian that is as controversial as Kathy Griffin is, is not going to be funny to EVERYONE... the way she tells jokes... she's bound to insult SOMEONE. OH WELL! But as someone in a previous posting said... if she was homophobic, she would not have went on the cruise.

Carlos

[MommyCheryl]

I laughed my butt off at it both times I saw it. It was not meant to be offensive to lesbians. If you've watched Kathy G's show or paid attention to her career, you know she's got a whole schtick about kids and how she doesn't relate to them etc. I took it as more of a fish out of water thing for her to be around a bunch of totally involved parents.

But that's the thing about humor -- if it's going to be funny, there's going to be a wrong way to take it. If no one ever said anything that could eer be construed as offensive by anyone ever, then we wouldn't have comedians. Rosie apparently made a comment (I haven't seen it yet) on The View about kids with peanut allergies. Now, I have a kid with a peanut allergy and I know that sometimes we are misunderstood. I also know that some of my fellow food allergy moms can be a little loopy. I take it all in stride because life's too short. I don't think Rosie harbors ill will toward kids with allergies and I don't think Kathy Griffin really harbors ill will toward lesbians or their kids. Well, maybe their kids...

It's a joke. Kathy Griffin was completely gracious when we ran into her on board and seemed genuinely mortified that our kids might have heard her swear.