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Kathy Griffin claims ban from Fallon’s show over McGregor criticism

7/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Kathy Griffin said in a June 30 Instagram video she has been banned from NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
She has not appeared since the 12:30 a.m. broadcast, last appearance was in 2013, and condemned Jimmy Fallon’s June 16 booking of Conor McGregor, who was found liable in a 2024 Irish sexual-assault case and ordered to pay $257,000.
NBC and Jimmy Fallon’s representatives declined comment, and the ban claim was exaggerated.

History

Historical Context

On May 30 2017 Kathy Griffin posted a video holding a mask styled as a severed Donald Trump head, prompting nationwide outrage and leading CNN to fire her from its New Year’s Eve broadcast. The backlash set a precedent of rapid network disassociation. In June 2024 she alleged NBC barred her from The Tonight Show after Jimmy Fallon booked Conor McGregor.

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Story summary

Kathy Griffin said in a June 30 Instagram video she has been banned from NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
She has not appeared since the 12:30 a.m. broadcast, last appearance was in 2013, and condemned Jimmy Fallon’s June 16 booking of Conor McGregor, who was found liable in a 2024 Irish sexual-assault case and ordered to pay $257,000.
NBC and Jimmy Fallon’s representatives declined comment, and the ban claim was exaggerated.

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