'Fashion Police:' Kathy Griffin pays tribute to Joan Rivers

Monday night marked Kathy Griffin's first night as the late Joan Rivers' replacement on E!'s "Fashion Police."

And even though Griffin has some big stilettos to fill, she kicked off her debut by promising to keep her old friend's fun and fearless style alive.

"I just want to thank my good friend whom we all miss, Joan Rivers. So, Joan, I know you're watching from heaven but don't get it twisted, I won't be afraid to bring the hammer down on anyone and everyone. I learned from the best," said Kathy Griffin on "Fashion Police."

Rivers had hosted "Fashion Police" since it premiered in 2010.

Griffin told People in November she and Rivers had talked about her possibly joining the show before Rivers passed away suddenly in September.

And she said in an interview with NBC earlier this month, even though she's a little different from Rivers, she's confident she's the right woman for the "Fashion Police" gig.

"I will continue, if nothing else, in her fearless style of taking no prisoners. But our styles were different you know, I'm a different human being. I'm more improvisational, and I don't know what I'm going to say," said Kathy Griffin on the "Today" show.

But fans of the show are confident Griffin will do Rivers justice as her replacement.

As a writer for Hollywood Life put it, "While it's obviously devastating that Joan won't be here for this and every other awards season, we feel better knowing that her throne is in such worthy hands as Kathy's." Well said.

This video includes images from Getty Images.

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