CD Review: Kathy Griffin - Suckin' it for the Holidays

"Dying is easy; comedy is hard." It's a tired saying, but it's true. It’s hard to think of more than three artists whose comedy albums have been memorable - Steve Martin, Cheech & Chong, and Monty Python. Comedy albums are hard.

Granted, Kathy Griffin already has us on her side. She has what she calls the Don Rickles effect, the ability to insult people and still be lovable. She has endeared herself to us with her willingness to be completely open, and we can all empathize with the sheer joy she gets from a little juicy gossip.

Considering how many specials Griffin has done, and the fact that cameras are constantly following her around, there is no recycled comedy here. She touches on her favorite topics - her mother, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, where the CD was taped, and slamming celebrities. She likes shock value and goes for it here - calling Maya Angelou boring and burning Justin Timberlake for being a "Wigger". And Speidi, always Speidi. By the way, there is no holiday content. No carols, Not a Silent Night in sight. We don't miss them

The CD is on sale now, and if you are skilled enough with a shrinkwrapper you have time to listen to it before stuffing it into someone's stocking. True, with a CD you are missing Griffin’s hilarious facial expressions and subtle physical comedy. That is the only complaint that can be made about this holiday CD other than that it is too short. To quote one more tired adage, "Always leave them wanting more."