Grapevine: Kimmel: Griffin will be ‘bigger than ever’

Kathy Griffin to Hollywood Reporter: ‘I didn’t commit a crime’

Disgraced comedian Kathy Griffin talked to the Hollywood Reporter in a piece published this week about life after being fired from CNN. Griffin famously released a photo of her holding up a fake, decapitated head of President Donald Trump. “I didn’t commit a crime,” she said. “I didn’t rape anybody. I didn’t assault anybody. I didn’t get a DUI. I mean, my God, there are celebrities that (expletive) kill people.” Besides getting the boot from CNN, Griffin was also fired from her gig promoting the Squatty Potty. The photo also ruined her friendship with Anderson Cooper, whom she hosted CNN’s New Year’s Eve programming with for many years. In the aftermath of the decapitation photo, Griffin had multiple death threats and was deemed to be under “credible threat” by the FBI. The Secret Service also investigated the comedian to be sure she was no threat to the president. The article hints that a comeback is around the corner, and reports that Jimmy Kimmel has invited Griffin on when she’s ready. “She’s one of the funniest people in the world,” he said. “She’ll be bigger than ever.” Griffin also has reached out to her friend J.J. Abrams, who she once taught improv to at the Groundlings school in the 1980s. They met recently to talk about ideas for television, but the Reporter story says big companies like Netflix, Bravo, E! and NBC “won’t touch her ... at least not at the moment.”

Michigan’s Greta Van Fleet to perform at Elton John’s party

Frankenmuth rock group Greta Van Fleet have been selected to perform at Sir Elton John’s Academy Awards viewing party on March 4 in Los Angeles. The party is a fundraiser for the AIDS Foundation. “We were speechless when Elton called us,” said guitarist Jake Kiszka in a news release. “We are all big fans of his, so are very, very honored by this invitation.” Greta Van Fleet’s three shows at the Fillmore Detroit, May 22, 23 and 25, are all sold out.

Luke Bryan announces Ford Field date

Luke Bryan is heading to Ford Field on his “What Makes You Country” tour, marking his third headlining concert at the Detroit Lions’ home. Bryan will play Ford Field on Oct. 26, promoters announced Tuesday, with opening acts Sam Hunt, Jon Pardi and Carly Pearce. No ticket information has been announced. Detroit is one of several stadiums on the country superstar’s tour. The Ford Field concert is the final show on Bryan’s tour, continuing a tradition he started when he first headlined the venue in 2015. “Let’s just say we may try to make a little tradition out of this last-show-of-the-year thing at Ford Field,” he told The Detroit News at the time. Bryan followed with a tour-ending show in 2016, but skipped Ford Field in favor of a Faster Horses stop in 2017. Bryan’s latest album, “What Makes You Country,” was released last month and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart.

Compiled by Melody Baetens

Adam Graham contributed

Thursday’s Birthdays

Lisa Marie Presley, 50

Pauly Shore, 50

Michael C. Hall, 47

Lauren Conrad, 32

Ronda Rousey, 31

Harry Styles, 24