LOS ANGELES – The Fashion Police force is dwindling, with Kathy Griffin following Kelly Osbourne out the door.
Griffin announced her departure Thursday, after just seven episodes, in a posting on her Twitter account. The tweet was verified by her office.
Griffin said her style didn’t mesh with the E! channel show’s “creative direction,” but her lengthy tweet also veered off into apparent criticism of how Fashion Police critiques celebrity looks.
“There is plenty to make fun of in pop culture without bringing people’s bodies into it. … I do not want to use my comedy to contribute to a culture of unattainable perfectionism and intolerance towards difference,” she posted.
Griffin tweeted that her goal is to help “women, gay kids, people of colour” and anyone who feels underrepresented to have a voice and a laugh.
Osbourne exited Fashion Police two weeks ago after complaining about co-host Giuliana Rancic’s red-carpet criticism of African-American singer-actress Zendaya’s dreadlocks. Rancic said they suggested the smell of marijuana.
Zendaya went online to slam the remarks as “outrageously offensive.” Rancic later apologized, saying the experience taught her not to perpetuate cliches and stereotypes.
Griffin came to Fashion Police as a replacement for her friend and mentor, the late Joan Rivers.
In a statement, the channel said the next episode will air as scheduled March 30 with remaining co-hosts Rancic and Canada’s Brad Goreski, and with Melissa Rivers, Joan’s daughter, as executive producer.
Goreski recently told Global’s The Morning Show the critiques on Fashion Police are all in good fun.
“You know, what works on one person,” he said. “If that style floats their boat, who am I to say that it’s right or wrong? I can say that it’s not my taste but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s bad.”
There was no word on who will permanently replace Griffin, whom the channel thanked for her work, or Osbourne.
– with a file by John R. Kennedy / Global News
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