Kathy Griffin had appeared to put her Rosie O’Donnell drama firmly in the rearview mirror. The comedians had privately cleared the air after Griffin felt hurt by a Jimmy Kimmel Live! guest-list mix-up.
The awkward moment started during O’Donnell’s four-night guest-hosting run on Jimmy Kimmel’s show. Griffin said she had not received an invitation, prompting O’Donnell to respond publicly before the comedians eventually cleared the air.
Kathy Griffin shares a friendship update after speaking privately with Rosie O’Donnell following their Jimmy Kimmel drama
Griffin confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that she and O’Donnell had spoken privately. “Yeah, [we’re] all good. I love her, and I love her for life,” Griffin said. She added, “I’ve known her for decades!”
The awkwardness started after O’Donnell guest-hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! for four nights. Griffin previously admitted she felt “really hurt” after nobody invited her onto the show. O’Donnell responded on Instagram, writing, “Kathy – shoulda called me honey – I didn’t choose the guests…”
Griffin later clarified that disappointment did not erase their friendship. She had even helped O’Donnell prepare for her late-night hosting debut. “She’d just done a magazine shoot,” Griffin recalled to EW. She told O’Donnell to “buy the rack” of clothes selected for that shoot. Griffin joked that the stylists had found comfortable shoes and the perfect suit for every night.
The comedian also praised O’Donnell’s performance, despite missing the week herself. “I thought she knocked it out of the park,” Griffin said. She added that O’Donnell deserved another daytime or nighttime show. Griffin also loved O’Donnell’s current chapter, particularly her TikTok presence. She compared it to the warmth of O’Donnell’s famous 1990s talk show.
O’Donnell had appeared alongside Griffin on Bravo’s Emmy-winning My Life on the D-List, which ran from 2006 through 2010. Griffin said her friend remained relatable and could “make anything compelling.” Meanwhile, O’Donnell had moved to Ireland before Donald Trump’s second term. She still returned to America for professional commitments, including Kimmel and her Common Knowledge stage show.
Griffin’s New Face, New Tour returned Friday in Tacoma, Washington. The stand-up run continued through January 23, 2027.
