Kathy Griffin Talks ‘PTSD-List’ Comeback Comedy Tour at Balboa Theatre Nov. 29

Thanksgiving can be joyous but often comes with challenges — someone drinks too much, says the wrong thing, ends up in tears, or complains about the cooking. When that happens, why not escape the chaos with comedian and actress Kathy Griffin, aka “Aunt Kathy,” at the Balboa Theatre on Friday, Nov. 29.

The two-time Emmy and Grammy winner has made Thanksgiving weekend standup a tradition (except during her seven-year blacklist) because, as Griffin says, the “traumatized” crowds need the laughs. 

“Those are my people!” she said. 

Griffin returns to the stage for the first time in more than six years with “My Life On The PTSD-List.” The tour’s name nods to her TV series and the many hardships Griffin has faced in recent years — lung cancer, divorce, addiction, a suicide attempt, losing her beloved mother and even being investigated by the U.S. government, which left her on the no-fly list and unable to work. 

These serious and deeply personal topics are rarely approached with humor, but for Griffin, it’s a matter of necessity.

“I make fun of my PTSD because if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry,” Griffin said. “I make fun of addiction, my cancer.”

Though Griffin is now cancer-free, it resulted in the removal of half a lung and a permanent change in the sound of her voice. 

“I’ve got half a lung on my left side, which I feel makes me funnier,” she said. “When I was a full-lunged comedian, I was not reaching my potential.”

Griffin says the secret to being a good steward of her pain is simple: find the funny. 

She learned even in the lowest moments, finding a way to laugh can help — though it may not feel possible at first. After her cancer surgery, lying in the hospital with tubes coming out of her back, Griffin remembers thinking, “It’s not funny today, but someday it’s going to be funny.”

That advice she received from fellow comedian and actor Jim Carrey. 

When Griffin’s world crumbled in 2017 after she posted a photo on social media of her holding a bloody mask that appeared to be then-President Donald Trump, she was contacted by Carrey, whom she didn’t know well. 

“He said, Kathy, put this through your comedy prism as long as it takes for you to find a way to make this funny because you’re going to make it funny,” she recalled.

“Then he added, any comedian would give their right arm, or in my case left lung, for this experience because it is historic,” Griffin said. “Whether you like me or not, I definitely have my place in history, mostly as a cautionary tale.”

Regarding the creative process, Griffin says her act is improvisational. Before the show, she jots down about eight phrases or topics in an old notebook from Walgreens. Griffin writes all her material, believing people who don’t are cheaters, and tests it out on friends. 

“I just victimize my friends, and what they laugh at, I’m like, okay, fair game!” she said. 

Griffin says she’s ready to “let the fur fly” post-election, but clarifies she avoids mentioning Trump in her show and is not looking to offend people. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

“Everybody is welcome at my show,” she said. “Certainly the folks who are or feel disenfranchised, and even if you have two full lungs, I’m going to let you in. I’m bitter about it, but I’ll let you in.”

Griffin emphasizes that she doesn’t just talk the talk — she’s performed for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, entertaining those facing hellish situations day and night. She believes every comedian should be required to perform for military members, ideally overseas and in a war zone. 

“I learned then more than ever, it’s times that are the most chaotic when people need to laugh the most,” she said. 

Griffin says she is looking forward to a meal in the “gayborhood” in San Diego and having “the best Mexican food outside of Mexico.” She is also excited about the rare drivable gig where she can bring her four dogs. 

“I can’t guarantee they won’t take a poop backstage, but I can’t guarantee that I won’t do that either,” she said. 

Griffin recently wrapped her sixth show at Carnegie Hall in New York City, setting a record for the most shows at the venue by a solo female comedian, a milestone previously held by the late great Joan Rivers.

Griffin said the moment carries deep significance after years of rebuilding following a sitting president declaring her career over and insisting she’d never work again. 

“I kissed the stage,” she said. “It meant the world. And San Diego is going to be just as good.” 

For show and ticket information, go to www.KathyGriffin.net.