Kathy Griffin and Levi Johnston Keep PR Machine Wheels Turning

Kathy Griffin, Levi Johnston mildly amusing

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Let me just start this off by saying that I do not have strong opinions about Kathy Griffin or Levi Johnston. I mean, as far as whether I love them or hate them, I’d say I think Kathy Griffin is a mediocre comedian (not a bad one) and Levi Johnston is an accidental celebrity who is dealing with it in much the same way many 19-year-olds would.

So it isn’t surprising to hear that I don’t really have any strong opinions about Kathy Griffin and Levi Johnston going to the Teen Choice Awards together. Like most of Kathy’s material — which this is — I find it mildly amusing. Kind of the way I find it mildly amusing that after I tell my friends how much an instant payday loan costs, they are flabbergasted by how much less it costs than overdraft fees from the bank.

An odd couple? Not really

Of course, all of the tabloids are jumping on the story about Kathy Griffin and Levi Johnston — which is exactly what they, yes they, want. People have a lot of different opinions about Kathy Griffin and Levi Johnston, but I think one thing we can all agree on is that both of them are spotlight hounds. For years Kathy Griffin has been trying to become famous any way she can. Her raunchy humor and shocking publicity stunts, such as her blasphemous Emmy acceptance speech, reek of cries for attention.

Levi Johnston, too, could have easily avoided the spotlight after it was revealed that he was the father of Bristol Palin’s baby. I mean, the kid lives in Alaska, home of former governor Sarah Palin, Levi’s son’s grandmother. Many people probably wouldn’t want to bask in a national spotlight that was shined on him for being the father of an illegitimate child. However, Levi Johnston has embraced his chance at fame. He posed for GQ with his son, and now he agreed to accompany Kathy Griffin to the Teen Choice Awards, clearly a controversial decision.

What controversy?

I say that Levi Johnston’s decision to accompany Kathy Griffin was controversial not because I personally see anything wrong with it, but because it has sparked a tabloid debate that has surveys with questions such as “Is a 29-year age difference ever OK?”

Luckily, very few publications are perpetuating the rumor that the two are actually a couple. It’s apparent to all that this is at best an obvious joke and at wost a publicity stunt.  I am siding with the “joke” faction, as I do find it mildly amusing that Kathy Griffin chose to attend the Teen Choice Awards with a teenager. I think it’s appropriately inappropriate.

Did Kathy Griffin pay Levi Johnston?

PopEater opens its article about Kathy Griffin and Levi Johnston with this line:

It was either her charm, wit or bank account that did it, but somehow Kathy Griffin was able to land herself a sweet date to the 2009 Teen Choice Awards.

I suppose it’s possible that Kathy Griffin paid Levi Johnston to accompany her to the Teen Choice Awards, but I think it’s more likely that Levi simply sees the moneymaking potential that comes along with getting attention in Hollywood. The 19-year-old Alaskan has said he wants to be a model, and the more people become famillliar with his face, the more modeling gigs he’ll likely be offered.