Kathy Griffin Dishes On Who Almost Replaced Andy Cohen on CNN’s NYE Telecast

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

C) I heard from a few different people that the hilarious @Lesdoggg
was in talks to co-host CNN’s New Year’s telecast with Anderson Cooper this year.

— 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

E) I love all of Leslie’s work, but this little short tape she posted on her 50th birthday last year says it all about her. How can you not love @lesdoggg?! pic.twitter.com/0KNkME8Xms

— 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

G) Anything less than co-hosting screams to me very little or no pay, and a lack of respect for someone who is such a proven talent, has a big fan base, and knows what she’s doing. She has paid her dues and then some!

— 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

I) I’m thrilled she is going to appear in the NBC New Years telecast with Carson Daly/Chrissy Teigen, but it's time for Leslie to co-host/host. That would be progress…it would have been a step in the right direction for all women if she got the CNN gig https://t.co/8409e00COC

— 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

K) I didn’t hear anything about what Leslie‘s fee will be on NBC, but I really hope it is AT LEAST $150,000 because that is a nice paycheck and it’s what she deserves.

— 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

M) I know $150,000 is a hell of lot of money for one night of work (although when I was doing it, I certainly put in more than one night of work) but trust me Leslie has paid her dues and when you are a female comic starting out you do gigs for free sometimes for years.

— 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

O) I really hope @Lesdoggg has been paid fairly for New Years…but I'm not optimistic. The boys get paid much, much more in the comedy industry and that is a fact I know a lot about.

— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2018