A funny thing happened on the way to Kathy Griffin's skyrocketing stardom. The more she told stories about her mother, Maggie, in her stand-up act and on her Emmy-winning television show, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, the more popular her mother became. (At the mere mention of Maggie, a stadium full of fans will cheer, "Tip It! Tip It!") Shocked by Kathy, exasperated by Kathy, grudgingly amused by Kathy, and at the end of the day, always a loving mother to Kathy, Maggie Griffin has become the darling Gracie to Kathy's George Burns, the wry Cher to Kathy's Sonny Bono, the spry, sweet Roadrunner to Kathy's Wile E. Coyote. Maggie Griffin grew up in Chicago, the youngest of sixteen children born to Irish immigrant parents. She met Johnny, the love of her life, in Chicago, started dating him after high school (while working at the Form Fit Bra factory in the returns department), and they fell in love and married during the War. Together they raised five children, the youngest a cutie named Kathleen, who never gave them a moment's trouble throughout her childhood-though it's been payback time ever since. As Kathy's comedy career took off, more and more stories of Maggie magically worked their way into Kathy's routines. And as a regular on Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, Maggie takes more guff from her daughter than any other mom on national television. Well, after having her life put on comic display by the loudmouthed redhead she fed, clothed, and cared for well into the comedian's adulthood, Maggie finally has the floor, and she has some business to share with you. So get out your Franzia, stir up some Hamburger Helper, and dive into the world according to Maggie.