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Kathy Griffin's Comeback: 5 Shocking Truths From Her 'My Life On The PTSD List' Stand-Up Tour

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Kathy Griffin, the boundary-pushing comedian known for her sharp-tongued celebrity gossip and fearless political commentary, is back on the road in 2025 with a raw, brutally honest stand-up tour that is captivating audiences and critics alike. Titled "My Life On the PTSD List," this show is not just a comedy set; it is a profound, two-hour journey through the darkest period of her life, transforming personal trauma—from a career-ending photo controversy to a battle with lung cancer—into unmissable, powerful comedy. The current tour, which began in 2024 and extends into 2026, solidifies her triumphant return to the stage, proving that the once "canceled" comic remains a towering and essential voice in modern stand-up.

The new material is a masterclass in topical authority, blending her signature D-List celebrity roasting with deeply personal, vulnerable storytelling. It addresses the fallout from the infamous 2017 photo, her subsequent blacklisting, a suicide attempt, and her recent health struggles, all while maintaining the fierce, unapologetic energy that won her a Guinness World Record for the most televised stand-up specials. For fans and newcomers, this is the freshest, most compelling chapter in the career of a true comedy survivor.

Kathy Griffin: A Complete Biography and Career Profile

Kathleen Mary Griffin, born on November 4, 1960, in Oak Park, Illinois, has built a career on defying expectations and taking aim at the powerful. Her journey from a member of The Groundlings comedy troupe to a two-time Emmy and Grammy Award-winning comedian is marked by relentless touring and an uncompromising comedic voice.

  • Full Name: Kathleen Mary Griffin
  • Born: November 4, 1960 (Age 65 in 2025)
  • Birthplace: Oak Park, Illinois, U.S.
  • Genre: Observational comedy, celebrity gossip, political satire, confessional comedy
  • Signature Style: Sharp-tongued, self-deprecating, irreverent, and often controversial.
  • Early Career: Began in the early 1990s, notably appearing in the alternative comedy show UnCabaret.
  • Breakthrough Role: Played the character of Vicki Groener on the sitcom Suddenly Susan (1996–2000).
  • Reality TV Success: Starred in the Bravo reality show Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (2005–2010), which earned her two Emmy Awards.
  • Stand-Up Record: Holds the Guinness World Record for the most televised stand-up specials by any comedian (20 specials).
  • Grammy Awards: Won two Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album for For Your Consideration (2009) and 60 Minutes to Kill (2014).
  • Major Controversy: The 2017 photo incident involving a mask resembling a severed head of a political figure led to her being blacklisted, losing endorsements, and facing a federal investigation.
  • Recent Special: Kathy Griffin: My Life On the PTSD List (2024), released on YouTube.

The Anatomy of a Comeback: 'My Life On The PTSD List' Material

The current stand-up show, "My Life On the PTSD List," is a departure from Griffin's typical celebrity-gossip-heavy routine, though it still features her signature caustic wit. The material is a powerful, vulnerable, and meaningful deep dive into her personal hell and subsequent recovery.

1. The Full Story of Her 'Cancellation' and Blacklisting

Griffin dedicates a significant portion of the show to the fallout from the infamous 2017 photo. She recounts the immediate, devastating loss of her career—the endorsements, the TV deals, and the complete blacklisting from venues across the country. This segment is not just a complaint; it’s a detailed, often shocking, exposé of the powerful forces that attempted to silence her. She uses humor to dissect the absurdity of the federal investigation she faced and the fear that gripped her during that period. The material challenges the audience to confront the real-world consequences of "cancel culture" and the power dynamics involved.

2. The Battle with Lung Cancer and Vocal Cord Damage

In a moment of profound vulnerability, Griffin shares the harrowing details of her lung cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgery. She had half of her left lung removed, and the procedure also left her with a damaged vocal cord. This is a crucial element of the current show, as she jokes about the physical challenge of performing stand-up when her voice is not what it once was. Her willingness to make light of her own physical fragility—a stark contrast to her previous image of invincibility—is both brave and hilarious, turning a life-threatening illness into a source of comedy.

3. Divorce, Suicidal Ideation, and Mental Health

The "PTSD List" is a literal reference to the trauma she endured, and Griffin does not shy away from discussing her mental health struggles, including a suicide attempt. This confessional style is what makes the show so compelling. She weaves her experiences with her recent divorce and the constant anxiety of being a public figure who was publicly shamed. The show is praised for how dextrously it manages to challenge, inform, and delight the audience, transforming dark subjects into moments of shared laughter and understanding.

Topical Authority: Why Kathy Griffin’s Comedy is Essential in 2025

Kathy Griffin’s current stand-up is more than just a performance; it’s a cultural artifact that speaks directly to the zeitgeist of modern media, politics, and mental health. Her topical authority rests on her unique position as a survivor of a public execution, offering a perspective few other comedians possess.

Her material is a goldmine of relevant entities and LSI keywords that cement her status as a commentator on contemporary issues:

  • The D-List Legacy: She continues to reference her My Life on the D-List persona, using her former status to contrast with her current, more serious-but-still-funny reality.
  • Celebrity Roasting: While the focus is inward, her signature celebrity roasting is still present, offering quick, cutting takes on current pop culture figures and political players, demonstrating that her comedic weapons are still sharp.
  • The Power of the Internet: The show heavily features commentary on social media mobs, online shaming, and the speed at which a career can be destroyed by a viral moment.
  • The New Face of Comedy: Griffin’s return—performing with a voice damaged by surgery—is a statement on persistence. It redefines what a stand-up comeback can look like, proving that vulnerability is the new edge.

The "My Life On the PTSD List" tour is a triumphant return from 'hell,' making stops at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and continuing well into 2025 and 2026. It serves as a powerful reminder that comedy can be a tool for healing, not just for the audience, but for the comedian herself. By tackling the darkest moments of her life, Griffin has found a way to not only survive but to thrive, solidifying her legacy as one of the most resilient and important voices in American comedy.

kathy griffin stand up
kathy griffin stand up

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