Comedienne specializes in creating uproars, and she likes it that way

When it comes to controversial comedian Kathy Griffin, few people are “undecided.” Her fans love her politically incorrect observations on the failings and personal foibles of entertainers, politicians and other celebrities.

Sarah Palin — whose family has provided Griffin with plenty of raw material in recent years — would probably be happy if Griffin were Moammar Gadhafi’s house guest the next time the United States launches air attacks on his home in Libya. Griffin appeared on “Glee” on March 15, wearing a red dress and glasses as a composite of tea party-friendly female candidates, uttering lines including “Obama is a terrorist!” — a spin on Palin-speak.

Nonetheless, Griffin is a multitalented entertainer — actress, author, stand-up comedian, model, recording artist, television show host and LGBT rights advocate.

Her Emmy-winning reality-TV show, “My Life on the D-List,” recently ended a six-year run. Her autobiography, “Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin,” made the best-seller lists.

She did 10 nights on Broadway last month, with “Kathy Griffin Wants a Tony,” and appeared March 19 in a Bravo comedy special:”50 and Not Pregnant.”

Her current tour includes a one-nighter at the Waikiki Shell this evening and a stop in Maui. After leaving Hawaii, the comedian will hop from coast to coast, stopping off in Atlantic City and Boston before doing shows in California and throughout the West.

The TGIF cover of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for Friday, April 8, 2011.

GRIFFIN made time last week to respond via email to some questions about her craft, her limits and the challenges of introducing Hawaiian entertainers at the Grammy Awards pre-show in February. (Note: She responded before Wednesday’s announcement that the Hawaiian music category was eliminated.)

Star-Advertiser: How was emceeing that part of the pre-show, where so many of the winners aren’t there to accept their awards?

Griffin: Let’s face it, you Hawaiians rule the Schmammys. That’s what I lovingly call the untelevised Grammy pre-show. I loved emceeing it because I could wear my glasses and let loose and say whatever I want.

SA:Did NARAS give you any help with the names of the nominees in the Hawaiian category, or did they just throw you out there?

KG:As a proud NARAS member and hopefully, soon-to-be Grammy winner, I would love to tell you they gave me hours of coaching. Oh wait, they are never going to read this, so no, they just threw me out there. Mahalo!

SA:You did a Broadway show, “Kathy Griffin Wants a Tony,” but apparently the “special theatrical event” category that your show would fit is currently on hold. Have you heard if the Tony people might revive it?

KG:I’m told the Tony people (I call them “Tony people,” too) have done away with the category I might qualify for. So naturally I am going for the lifetime achievement award.

SA:How often do people tell you that when you say something outrageous, you’re saying what they’re thinking but are hesitant or afraid to say?

KG: It is the highest compliment when someone tells me this, and believe me, on April 8, I will be coming out of my shell. Pun intended. Suck it.

SA: Aren’t most people appalled when celebrities who seem to have everything going for them — and who are much better off than the average American — say or do stupid things?

KG: Well, it hasn’t stopped Sarah Palin.

SA:You were criticized in 2007 for saying that Jesus did not help you win an Emmy Award for “Kathy Griffin:My Life on the D-List.” Are there people who think Jesus (or God) micromanages things like the Emmys?

KG: I agree. I think Jesus and/or God or Allah or Oprah have far better things to do than micromanage award shows.

SA:So if Jesus (or God) knows everything, hears the smallest prayer, etc., why do these people need to thank him out loud when he already knows?

KG:Because most celebrities are misdirected or full of crap?

SA: There seems to be a pattern of you getting banned from television talk shows because of something shocking that you said. If you are known for trashing celebrities, as some writers put it, why would the producers of these shows be shocked when you do what you do?

KG: I think half the time they are just acting shocked. One person’s shocked is another person’s ratings grabber.

SA: Do you hold public figures under 18 to different standards than adults?

KG: No person, place or thing is off-limits, however, I tend to shine the spotlight on someone’s behavior or a choice they make that I find absurd or comical. If it doesn’t get a laugh, I drop it.

SA: Are there any topics you think are not appropriate for you to comment on?

KG: Nope.

SA: Beyonce got much media grief when it came out that one of Gadhafi’s sons paid her $1 million to do a concert. Should entertainers refuse to entertain wealthy dictators, financial wheeler-dealers who profited from the continuing economic disaster and other controversial people?

KG: This is laughable to me. When I was a Kelly Girl temp making $114 per week, I probably would have (performed a sex act on) Gadhafi and his sons for that money.

SA: OK, so if Bernard Madoff was on trial for his $50 billion Ponzi scheme but had not yet been convicted, and he offered you, say $100,000, to do 30 minutes at his grandson’s bar mitzvah, would you do it?

KG: Even I wouldn’t perform for that (characterization censored) Bernie Madoff. However, I am available for other bar mitzvahs. Mahalo AND shalom.

See you at the Shell, bitches!

—John Berger / jberger@staradvertiser.com