Kathy Griffin Wants to Be the Judge Judy of 'Fashion Police'

Kathy Griffin promises a "no holds barred" critique of celebrities when she makes her debut appearance on "Fashion Police" Jan. 12, but she told People magazine she won't be trying to copy what the late Joan Rivers did on the E! Network show.

Griffin was officially named early last month to replace Rivers, who died in September, as a co-host of the edgy show that puts a critical and humorous spotlight on celebrity fashion, according to Deadline.com.

Griffin told People that her stint on "Fashion Police" will resemble more Judge Judy than Joan Rivers.

"Joan would, of course, show the pictures and make hilarious comments, and my style is a little more improvisational, a little more conversational," said Griffin. "Stylistically there are differences of course because, you know, we're two different human beings. But I hope to at least continue in her fearless spirit because that's really what I think the show demands and I think it's what the viewers want."

"You need somebody to bring the hammer down. I'm gonna be like the Judge Judy of 'Fashion Police.' I'm gonna not hold back, no holds barred, because at the end of the day with everything that's happening in the real world, it's a place to truly have some fun," said Griffin.

Getting the blessing of Rivers' daughter Melissa, who is also "Fashion Police's" executive producer, gave Griffin the vote of confidence she needed to work on the show.

Griffin honored Rivers on CNN during the network's New Year's Eve program she co-hosts with CNN talk show host Anderson Cooper, wearing a black fur coat that belonged to the late comedienne, reported E! News.

"It actually is inscribed , it says, 'Joan Rivers,'" Griffin told Cooper on the CNN broadcast. "So in honor of my pal, I am decked out in the Dennis Basso and actual Joan coat and I've been with Joan when she would wear it."

When Cooper quizzed her about wearing a real fur coat, Griffin responded, "Because I love Joan and she had it made for her in 1980. So, you can apologize for that but I won't."

That coat @KathyGriffin is wearing? She says it belonged to @Joan_Rivers and she's wearing it in her honor. http://t.co/ZGfb4JA8b4 #CNNNYE

— CNN (@CNN) January 1, 2015

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