Sooo...What Does Kathy Griffin Do Now?
It's been a rough couple of weeks for Kathy Griffin. CNN dumped her. Corporate PR types and event sponsors are wringing their hands, worrying about their association with her. One company has already pulled a product endorsement deal. Fans are divided and Trump supporters want her head on a platter. Oh wait, that's how she got into this mess in the first place isn't it?
For those who haven't been paying attention, comedienne Kathy Griffith encountered a tsunami of criticism after posting a photo and video in which she is shown holding a bloodied severed head of President Donald Trump. Although young Baron Trump reportedly thought the head was really his father, it was not. The photo shoot was part of a project Griffin was working on with celeb photog Tyler Shields, who is known for some very risky and controversial projects. Shields loves drama. This is from an article in Variety:
In his bio on his website, Shields is described as an “American image maker” who has “produced images that play with notions of the gaze, power structures, hyper-realism, iconoclastic-tendencies and cinematographic practice.” It notes that he produced a “blood-stained” photographic series with Lindsay Lohan, and it links to some of his past work. That includes a People story on his book, “Provocateur.”
Shields defiantly defends the project. Of course he would. It helps his brand--the bad boy of celebrity photography. But the outcome could be totally different for Griffin who also has a reputation for some pretty raunchy work. Her apology video has gone viral and friends are standing by her while condemning her actions. She made a mistake. Right?
Not so fast. Did she make a mistake or were she and Shields so intent on creating controversy that they seriously miscalculated the blowback? I mean, this incident has Secret Service investigation written all over it.
Just as the reputation managers of the universe were pontificating about Griffin's fate (most think it will blow over) and analyzing every word in the seemingly heartfelt apology video posted by Griffin, the other shoe dropped. Out come the behind-the-scenes tales from the photo shoot that show Shields and Griffin were very much aware of the what they were doing and even joked about the possible consequences with Griffin saying, "we're not surviving this." She could be right. So what should Griffin do now?
Stop talking. The more she talks the more people dig--hence the reports of those behind-the-scenes comments during the photo shoot. She issued an apology, let it go.
She should also stop trying to explain/defend the nexus of art and political satire. Even people who appreciate the use of comedy and art in social commentary recognize this as a bridge too far. This is not a free speech issue either. Don't go there. Of course you have the right but is it really appropriate?
Finally, Griffin may want to check her emergency cash stash because she is going to be paying big time for reputation management services. Wonder if she'll call me?
Footnote: I told her to stop talking. Here's why.
