Comedian Kathy Griffin revealed on Instagram that she was "hurt" by her longtime friend Rosie O'Donnell not inviting her to appear on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" during O'Donnell's recent week as guest host. Griffin shared her feelings in an Instagram Reel, calling the situation "embarrassing."
Griffin acknowledged that O'Donnell "may have no say" in the guest selection process for the show but expressed that the snub was disappointing, especially as many fans and friends expected her to be on air.
"I started getting more correspondence and just friends calling me that know me and know the two of us to be friends, and saying, 'Which night are you doing it? Are you going to be a surprise? Are you guys going to do a sketch or just a sit-down interview?'" Griffin said, adding that she became "kind of excited" about the potential for a "really cool moment."
Despite her disappointment, Griffin voiced her support for O'Donnell's hosting gig and encouraged her followers to watch and support the show. "I will watch every night and cheer her on, of course," she stated.
During a recent flight to Los Angeles, Griffin claimed she had spoken with O'Donnell and expressed her desire to be a guest. However, O'Donnell responded to Griffin's public call-out on Instagram by commenting, "Kathy- shoulda called me honey – I didn’t choose the guests …" confirming Griffin's suspicion about O'Donnell's lack of control over the guest list.
Social media users shared mixed reactions, with some suggesting Griffin should have addressed the matter privately given their close friendship. Others noted that sisters, best friends, and colleagues sometimes fight, but Griffin maintained that she and O'Donnell were not engaged in a fight.
The two actresses have been friends for decades, with Griffin referring to their bond as sisterly in the past.