)Much like her reality series, Kathy Griffin's memoir (is there a specific difference between this and an autobiography, other than marketing?) isn't especially funny. In both cases this seems to be intentional. The telling of a story seems to win out over cheap shots, and the business of comedy is businesslike and unfunny.
It's an American story about Midwestern roots, old fashioned hard work, and self-made success. There are plenty of bumps along the way, including a probably pedophilic brother, classic eating disorder/image issue stuff, and an embezzling ex-husband. Griffin's name-dropping could cloy, but instead provides an interesting benchmark by which to measure her path to success.
There's a lot missing here. I wonder if Griffin would have anything more to say about Andre Agassi in light of his own recent revelations. It seems we'll never know how she and longtime assistant Jessica came to part ways, which leads me to believe it was either explosively painful or boring and amicable.
The prose is breezy but includes some recycled stand-up material. A highlight is a chapter composed solely of email correspondence between Griffin and former beau Steve Wozniak. My high opinion of Griffin has plateaued lately. Each season of D-List seems more contrived than the last, and her recent stand-up special was missable. Somehow, unexpectedly, this book has solidified my position as a fan.
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