Kathy Griffin Talks Joan Rivers, Reveals Special Phone Call That Made Her Say "Yes" to Joining Fashion Police

New host also praises the late comedian’s impact on the world of red carpets

By Mike Vulpo Jan 06, 2015 11:46 PMTags

Kathy Griffin knows she has some seriously big shoes to fill as the new host of Fashion Police.

Thanks to the late Joan Rivers, red carpets, award shows and the world of fashion has been brought to a whole new level of fun. But as the popular E! series comes back just in time for the 2015 Golden Globes, Griffin is ready to sound off on the best and worst looks in her own unique way.

"I am no Joan and she left such big shoes to fill that I brought my own slippers," Griffin explained to E! News before gearing up for her first show with fellow panelists Giuliana Rancic, Brad Goreski and Kelly Osbourne. "I will continue in the fearless approach that she had about celebrities and pop culture and fashion."

The decision to take over for Joan wasn't exactly an easy one for Griffin.

As longtime friends, both comedians admired each other's styles for so many years. But after receiving a call from executive producer Melissa Rivers, Griffin knew she couldn't pass on the gig.

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"Melissa called me and she said, ‘I know that my mom would have given you and you alone the blessing' and that really was it," Griffin recalled. "First of all, Melissa was Joan's world and I think that Joan took the show to another level and I will do it in my way because obviously we are two completely different people."

So what can we expect after Hollywood's biggest stars walk the red carpet? There's going to be lots of laughs, debates, and brutal honesty.  

"Nobody knows what I'm going to say and nobody is safe," she teased. "I think that I will continue in the tradition of not being afraid to say what we're all thinking at home in our PJs watching." 

We think Joan wouldn't want to have it any other way.

"She would always say, ‘Go for it. Don't ever hold back and certainly not in comedy.' So I hope the celebrities remember that when I'm going for them in a humorous, loving way," Griffin explained. "I'm not going to hold back. Screw them all. Let's have some fun."

Join the all-new Fashion Police when it returns Monday, January 12, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT only on E!