Kathy Griffin Says She's Been Shut Out of 'The Tonight Show' for Over a Decade, Questions Fallon's Guest Choices

Kathy Griffin is taking aim at Jimmy Fallon's booking decisions while making clear she believes she's been blacklisted from The Tonight Show.

The comedian, 65, shared a video on Instagram Tuesday (June 30) expressing frustration that she hasn't made an appearance on Fallon's program in more than a decade. Her most recent visit to the late-night desk was in 2013, when Jay Leno was still hosting.

"I have not done the Jimmy Fallon show since it was on at 12:30 Eastern and Pacific, so I guess I'm banned from the Fallon show, or inappropriate, or too controversial," Griffin said. She went on to explain that when shows don't want someone back, they typically don't issue an explicit ban—they simply claim there's no availability.

While Griffin emphasized that she holds no personal ill will toward Fallon, describing him as "always super nice to me" during her appearances on his earlier Late Night program, she drew a line at his recent guest roster.

Her primary concern centered on the June 16 appearance by MMA fighter Conor McGregor. McGregor was found liable in a civil sexual assault case in Ireland in 2024.

"I do think it was a bad call for him to have convicted rapist Conor McGregor on," Griffin stated. She continued by arguing that booking such a figure sends problematic signals. "I think it sends yet another message to women and marginalized folks everywhere that we're not equal and you can do anything to us, and the perpetrators are still going to be out there being glorified."

Griffin also referenced Fallon's 2016 interview with Donald Trump during the presidential campaign, when the host playfully touched the then-candidate's hair. She noted that she was similarly troubled when Lorne Michaels extended a hosting invitation to Trump on Saturday Night Live.

"I think it's time we kind of make up our minds about who we're going to cancel and who we're not. Take it from the most canceled celebrity in history – look it up. As the kids say, do better," Griffin said.

In her Instagram caption, she asked directly: "Fallon, what kind of message are we sending here?! AND can we PLEASE save canceling people for the ones who actually deserve it?"

Griffin's criticism joins similar remarks from actress Christina Ricci, who has also voiced objections to McGregor's appearance on The Tonight Show.