Joan Rivers Dies at 81

[Purveyor]

Source: NBC NEWS

Thursday, Sep 4, 2014 • Updated at 12:00 PM PDT

Legendary comic Joan Rivers has died, her daughter Melissa Rivers confirmed. She was 81.

"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers," Melissa Rivers said. "She passed peacefully at 1:17pm surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother."

Rivers had been on life support in a medically induced coma for days at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

Read more: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/Joan-Rivers-Dead-Dies-81-Obit-273818481.html

[dbackjon]

1. Rest in peace to a very funny lady

[big_dog]

4. a long and frutiful career

[yeoman6987]

78. Even though I knew this was going to happen

Reading it is sad. She said a few outlandish remarks the last few months, but I think she was ill. I sincerely hope that everyone looks at the whole life of Joan Rivers and not the last year. I can't believe how affected I am by this.

[alp227]

2. Longer article at NBC:

http://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/celebrity/joan-rivers-comedy-legend-tv-host-dies-81-n191416

[hlthe2b]

3. Tragic way to go out, but I'm glad she's not going to linger for months and months on LS

I hate that her last ugly statement about the Palestinians is still so fresh in my mind and she did not live long enough to make that "right".

I wish her family well and that she be remembered most as a hallmark comedian that lead the way for other women comics.

[Zen Democrat]

6. She called Michelle a tranny and made horrific remarks about Palestinians.

She went out on a down. Rivers had a lot of friends and she had a lot of enemies, thus was the life she led.

[hlthe2b]

11. Indeed...

She had a viper "humor" and even more invective "serious" attitude towards a lot of people. She experienced a lot of tragedy and disappointment in life--all that might have made her more sensitive to the plight of others, but apparently did not.

[Skittles]

14. that wasn't the Joan I remember

I think there was definitely some mental deterioration happening

[Warpy]

21. Same here. She just got nastier as she got older

I loved her in the 70s. I found her unwatchable by the 00s.

However, I'm grateful to her for blasting through stereotypes and through the silly assed patriarchal statement that "women can't be funny." Oh hell yes we can and Rivers was one of the pioneers who proved it, along with Phyllis Diller and Moms Mabley.

I'm glad the end was peaceful.

[narnian60]

33. Yes.

Well said. I am surprised that I shed some tears over her death. I think it's because she was so alive and busy just a week ago.

[FarPoint]

65. Ya know, I think along these lines....

Sarah Palin, Michelle Bauchman and Ann Coulter....that is nasty....plus, they actually hurt people. Palin and Bachman, they were paid to serve the people and failed miserably with malice. Joan Rivers...she fought to be relevant as a women in a high stakes entertainment business. She did what she had to do....and paved the way for so many more women to become successful in comedy.

Yes, she was bold, said unpopular statements...but ultimately she remained relevant at age 81. I see her thinking. I often disagreed but I'm not holding her in judgment.

[MissDeeds]

75. I couldn't watch her either

I love fashion and always wanted to see the recap of awards shows, but could never hang in for more than five or ten minutes. I found her nastiness to be way over the top, and it made me uncomfortable. That said, she was a pioneer and overcame a lot of personal turmoil. I hope she had a peaceful passing.

[murielm99]

39. I agree.

RIP Joan. Thanks for all the laughs you gave us when you were younger.

I can remember when she ripped famous people rather viciously. Liz Taylor was one example. At one point, she explained her humor. She said that people like Liz could take it. Joan couldn't do Liz any real harm. She would not have pointed that type of humor at someone less well-known and more vulnerable. It made sense to me.

[Skittles]

90. yup

to me she went from, "I can't believe I laughed at that" to "I can't believe she said that"........I prefer to remember her the way she was (and she was correct - Liz was a tough gal despite her many health ailments)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

67. Was thinking the same thing - she was hilarious years ago

and her humor was pretty edgy. More recently it took on too much edge, IMO, and those last comments weren't funny, just nasty. I'm sorry she went out on an unpleasant note because I remember how funny she used to be. She did a lot for women in comedy.

[840high]

18. Most of her barbs were

aimed at herself. I will miss her.

[c588415]

103. I was hoping to see Rivers make a full recovery ;nonetheless,

after hearing what she said about the Obama's, and her comments pertaining to the Palestinians living in Gaza, I had enough of her mouth. Hell, just a couple of months ago, Rivers walked out on an interview with CNN's Fredricka Whitfield because she couldn't handle any light humored criticism of her on.

[ncliberal]

10. She clarified on Instagram at least.

She posted a letter stating that she was in a hurry or something when she was approached and meant to say Hamas. I hate that didn't get more notice. She was a ground breaker and her documentary was very interesting.

[deurbano]

30. Thanks. I hadn't heard that clarification.

[Zen Democrat]

44. That clarification is because there was talk of boycotts.

The Village People group member Victor Willis called for a public boycott of Rivers after she said during a recent "Fashion Police" episode that Justin Bieber was trying to dress like a "big black thug."

As to the Palestinians remarks, someone asked her about the number of civilians and children who died and she made the comment, "Who cares? At least the ones who were killed were the ones with very low IQs." I don't think she was talking about Hamas; I think the "clarification" was an ass-coverer.

I think she had lost it, actually. She was once funny, but she became just mean in the past 20 years. After the bit where she walked out on an interview with Fredericka Whitfield on CNN a couple of weeks back, I'm pretty sure dementia had set in.

[deurbano]

48. Thanks. I hadn't followed it, except for hearing the shocking and disgusting Palestinian remarks.

I hope dementia was the explanation.

[Ineeda]

97. She also became extremely vulgar, and

often made really disgusting comments about women. When called on it, she claimed she was only talking about "fashion." Yeah, sure. Always spouting shock-value jokes about vaginas and breasts. She might have been talented in the past, and maybe she was a caring friend to some, but frankly, I thought her disgusting for several years. Maybe dementia was setting in. Anyway, my sincere condolences to her loved ones.

[merrily]

56. She was certainly one of the female comedians who led the way, that's for sure.

Last edited Thu Sep 4, 2014, 04:57 PM - Edit history (1)

Moms Mabley, Gracie Allen, Bea Benederet (sp?), who played Allen's neighbor, Totie Fields, Phyllis Diller, Elaine May (Mike Nichol's comedy partner), Anne Meara (Jerry Stiller's comedy partner and wife) and a number of others did as well. And who knows how many in vaudeville, where Gracie Allen started? Allen was just one of the very few lucky ones who made it to TV.

But Joan was certainly a pioneer and one who stayed in the spotlight decade after decade, leading the way for other women. I know she gave direct encouragement to a lot of female performers, especially comedians, and to all comedians.

[MissDeeds]

73. It was tragic

I was not a fan of Ms. River's particular kind of humor, but I feel very bad about her passing. At 81 she was flying from NY to LA weekly to tape "The Fashion Police", and appeared to be living a full and robust life. Just the evening before the procedure on her vocal cords, she was performing and having dinner with friends. It is so sad that a fairly routine out-patient procedure resulted in her demise. Of course, given her age, it should have taken place in the hospital, which makes it all the more unfortunate...

Thoughts and prayers going out to her daughter who had to make such a gut wrenching decision.

[Skittles]

5. my sympathy to her family and friends

she was a true trailblazer

[47of74]

7. God, Fox "News" is pontificating on her now...

I'm having my car worked on and they have Fox "News" blasting away in the waiting room. They're talking about how Rivers was such a trailblazer for women, which I think is kind of ironic considering the people and policies Fox "News" supports.

[Liberal_in_LA]

12. turn the channel

[47of74]

92. That turned out to be easier said than done

After the one person who actually was watching Fox "News" was done I finally had enough and tried to change the channel. Didn't work at all. I think the remote was dead. I went up to the TV and turned the volume completely down. Once the Fox News blowholes were turned into a bunch of silent moving images it became so much easier to work.

[alp227]

49. To be fair to Fox Non-News,

when Joan Rivers first became famous, it was in an era when women had to, y'know still be ladies (as opposed to modern times when women...gasp!...can actually be real human beings because...oh no!...they can express SEXUALITY! Horrors!)

[undeterred]

8. RIP

[Omaha Steve]

9. She should have never crossed Carson with her own show

It ruined her career.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

13. yup - she went from being one of the biggest comedy draws

to a reality TV clown on E! talking about clothes.

[Skittles]

15. He was a vindictive asshole

I never understood his popularity

[Action_Patrol]

17. Carson?

Who, Carson?
He was an absolute legend. Worthy of every bit of praise.

[Skittles]

25. when Joan's husband died

Carson did not even send her a card - he was an asshole - he felt like he owned her and he DISOWNED her for daring to think otherwise

[Action_Patrol]

28. Perhaps

They certainly had a falling out. I've had plenty of people I stopped being friends/conversing with. I'll take Johnny over Joan any day.

[Skittles]

29. he never fooled me

never

[Action_Patrol]

37. X

He was a comedian, not a close friend of mine. I appreciated his style over Joan's. Both are gone now. It really doesn't matter all that much.

[Skittles]

43. people like Jon Stewart are happy to see folk they work with attempt to go solo

Jon does not think he owns them

Done here - revere who you want

[Action_Patrol]

47. ---

Same to you. Take care.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

72. I'm sure Jon would be pissed if they did it in the shady way Joan did

She stabbed Carson in the back.

[MADem]

53. They had a good synergy...

[Cooley Hurd]

81. I wish I could recommend this post...

It's very clear the Johnny thought of Joan as a close friend. What Johnny thought after Joan jumped ship is only known to Johnny. I get the sense that he favored loyalty over anything...

[pa28]

98. Hahahahaha! The actress playing Thatcher nailed it.

She could have fooled just about anybody.

[olddad56]

89. same here

[Tom Ripley]

79. He was both a legend and a vindictive asshole

He also held grudges against Rodney Dangerfield and Mamie Van Doren that went on for years.
Carson could be very petty.

[calimary]

46. He was the king of late night, for sure. But I thought he was rather awful to her when she got her

own show. She tried to call him, to reach out to him, and all he did was slam the phone down on her. And he never spoke to her again. WTF??? She didn't deserve that. He didn't treat other comedians who went up against him that way. But then again, they were male. He was a big boy. He knew there would be competition. Hell, he faced all kinds of people trying to knock him off the top of the heap and no one ever did. But why he treated her badly for trying it, I'll never understand.

Reminds me of the time I said "this is BUSINESS" to someone I was working with, regarding a decision I'd made. DEAR GOD ALMIGHTY!!! You'd have thought I'd just announced I was amputating his legs, his arms, and his nuts and opening the gates of Hell on him. HOW DARE YOU, he thundered. But he thought nothing about laying that same line on me just a few weeks earlier. "Hey, this is BUSINESS. It's just business. Don't take it personally." Well, it was fine for him, but when I did it - HOLY COW!!!! HORRIBLE!!! THE WORST OFFENSE IN HISTORY!!!! WHO the HELL did I think I was???? Well, here's the answer: I was a WOMAN doing a job the way a man would. THAT was the great sin.
Notice, for example - when Don Rickles did the caustic stuff, nobody batted an eyelash. But when Joan Rivers played rough, MAN OH MAN, HORRIBLE HORRIBLE. I'm not buying it.

She had a VERY sharp tongue. But she did not hesitate to slice herself up with it, too. And more often than not, she said the things all the rest of us would be thinking. She was tacky as hell, nasty, took no prisoners, and she had more balls than most men in her business. And, face it, she was damn funny! She made the Chelsea Handlers and Kathy Griffins possible, and all the women comedians who come after her owe her big time. And she never gave up. She was great fun in an interview, too, and it would be like just a couple of girlfriends talking.

The one thing, ironically enough, that I remember most about her was from one of her books that I read. And I was so touched by this, I still think about it whenever I'm out walking the dog. We always pass by houses, condos, and apartment buildings in the neighborhood that have rose gardens or other pretty flowers growing in the front yard. I forget which of her books it was, but this was years ago. Joan Rivers talked about her love of flowers and how much she enjoyed cutting a fresh bouquet's worth and bringing it into the house from the garden. But she'd never cut them all. There'd be at least two flowers left growing and unpicked. Never just one. She advised "always leave behind a friend."

[MADem]

61. She talks about Carson in this interview.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

70. On the plastic surgery

"God won't recognize me when I get to heaven."

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

74. The other comedians at least told him about it before the fact

He even had them on the show to wish them luck. In her situtation, it was unique in that she was his guest host and owed a great deal of her career to him.

Joan signed a deal to challenge him behind his back and din't tell him. He only found out through her press conference.

It was only then that she tried to call him.

He gave her a break and launched her. The least she could have done was give him the courtesy to know she was leaving the show.

[MADem]

51. He felt very betrayed because she was on his short list as his replacement, and he felt she

was pushing him.

That was back when incumbents had clout--entertainment was run alot like Congress was back in the day.

[Midwestern Democrat]

99. She was not on NBC's short list - one of the reasons she left for her own show was because an

internal NBC memo leaked that listed the potential successors upon Carson's retirement - and her name was not among them.

[herding cats]

57. From the accounts of those who dared to cross him he was a mean-spirited and vindictive bully

He wielded his power in Hollywood to break those who displeased him then left them behind without a second glance. He was also a mean drunk and abusive husband. That a blind eye was always turned to his actions shows the level of power he held during his reign.

[Skittles]

69. correct

he was a pompous piece of shit and I was never fooled

[RobinA]

101. Many Greats

are not people I would want as friends. Gene Kelly comes instantly to mind. Being great in your field and being a nice guy/girl - different skill sets, as they say.

That said, I thought Joan Rivers was a bully and don't consider her amongst the Anne Mearas, the Elaine Mays or the Lucille Balls of the comedy world, all of whom managed to forge a path without publically grinding their heals into the faces of others.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

64. She stabbed him in the back

He gave her a career and a guest hosting gig on Tonight. She repaid him by sneaking off and arranging a deal to compete with him.

And she was utterly petty over the years trashing him over it.

[Skittles]

68. no one owes someone the rest of their life

he was an asshole

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

71. how so?

She didn't even tell him she was planning on doing it. He found out via her press conference.
Pretty shitty way to treat someone who gave you writing job and made you the permanent guest host.

He never said anything bad about her afterward. Joan, on the other hand, never passed up the chance to trash him in interviews.

And her nasty behavior toward others in her later reality TV career only further illustrated what kind of a person she was.

She was a hateful, homophobic, transphobic person who made a living making fun of other women's appearances.

[olddad56]

88. His popularity came from his comic genius, same as hers.

And she knew he was a vindictive asshole. Up until the time she crossed him, she was his go-to guest host.

[840high]

16. RIP - thanks for

so many laughs.

[closeupready]

19. While I was sad about her recent controversial remarks, this is sadder,

by far. I always liked her, found her funny, and as a matter of fact, I think the very first comedy film I recall having made me really REALLY laugh - and when I was VERY young, like maybe 6 or 7? - was written by her, "The Girl Most Likely To" from way back in the early 70's.

On balance, I will really miss her and her irreverent sense of humor. RIP.

[Capt. Obvious]

20. Who was she wearing when she left?

[Wait Wut]

36. ...

If she could read this, she'd die laughing.

I think that's one of the things I liked about her most. Her laugh and her ability to laugh at herself.

[nolabear]

41. LOL! Perfect tribute.

[CBGLuthier]

26. Why hide it? You are proud of pissing on her grave so why hide it.

Let everyone know what kind of person you are.

Me, once they are dead let all the hate go. But you enjoy yourself and be sure not to get your shoes wet.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

32. You're welcome to your opinion but could we maybe wait till the body's cold?

[nolabear]

34. Honey, if everybody had to be perfect this world would echo from the lack of inhabitants.

As they say in the comedy world, "Too SOON."

[MADem]

52. BINGO.....

[liberal N proud]

23. I was never a fan of hers but may she rest in peace

I just never thought she was that funny.

[Crabby Appleton]

24. Rest In Peace

[lady lib]

27. And the Republicans lose another one.

Good riddance. She had a foul mouth and made money her god.

From NPR:

Asked whether she felt bad writing for a puppet while starting out, Rivers told WHYY's Fresh Air in 2012, "I'll write for Hitler [for] $500. ... When you're starving and got a car payment due? You go through any door that opens and you don't know which is gonna be the one."

[nolabear]

40. Clearly her glibness was wasted on some. You speak perfectly and have the correct god, right?

Honestly, is it necessary to interrupt a thread of mourning the death of a human being with grave dancing?

For the record, I'm not much of a fan myself, but she was an influential, tough, interesting woman and a person, and deserves better for that.

[narnian60]

42. Thank you for that.

[lady lib]

94. I call it like I see it, Nolabear.

She was a lousy person and I won't miss her. And btw, I'm not grave dancing. That's strictly reserved for Dick Cheney's passing.

[sinkingfeeling]

31. Good-bye, Joan.

[logosoco]

35. She did end up on an ugly road...

but she did help open the door for women in comedy.

[otohara]

38. Amazing Woman

she pissed me off more than once but I still had a great deal of respect for Joan Rivers. Her documentary was an eye opener.

Rest in Peace

[nolabear]

45. I have huge respect for anyone that made me as mad as she did.

Oh my LORD that woman could be mean! Meanness is the essence of comedy, and she rode that like like a tightrope walker. I have to give her huge props for being unflinching, and I expect she'd have gotten on my last nerve and then some. But she brought home a huge check, helped many a comedian to succeed, and was a powerful woman in afield with too few of them.

So long, Joan. I know they won't cremate you because the smell of burned plastic would never leave the place.

[MADem]

50. Devastating. Unexpected. She was in good health before she went to that clinic for that

polyp procedure. This sucks.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/joan-rivers-dead-81-fellow-comedians-remember-star-twitter-article-1.1928205

I feel sad for her daughter, who has to live with being an orphan, having lost her father to suicide and her mother to a freak accident. And it doesn't matter how old you are when you lose a parent, it's still the worst thing that can happen if you have a close relationship.

[MissDeeds]

77. Well said, MADem n/t

[littlemissmartypants]

54. ...

[navarth]

55. She was good to work with, I'm sorry to see her gone

I played her show a few times, spent quite a bit of time hanging out with her backstage waiting to go on. She just seemed like a nice little lady, different from the sarcasm in her act. She always bought a case of booze for the band at the end of the week.

I never understood how she ended up doing all that weird shit she did later, but I really didn't pay attention to it, I never gave much of a shit about Entertainment Creature Television. I just figured it was just more show biz.

Maybe she did turn into an asshole in later years? I couldn't say. But I liked her. RIP Ms. Rivers.

[nolabear]

59. Thanks for this. So often people see the performer and think it's all there is.

Of course it's much easier to think in black and white terms rather than to admit that we might love some things about a person and hate others. But we do.

[AverageJoe90]

58. Heard about her death on KZPS-FM here in D/FW this morning. She was simply legendary.

Okay, I didn't like her latter-day politics-she wasn't exactly respectful of FLOTUS and her remarks towards the Palestinians were uncharitable, to put it gently.

But she still had her impact. R.I.P. Joan Rivers.

[BumRushDaShow]

60. R.I.P.

She had provided many decades worth of laughs and digs and cracks and insults (and lately, against the Prez and notably, the First Lady), but represented a whole genre and style of comedy that transitioned over multiple eras.

Condolences to her family and R.I.P.

And as an aside, for some reason, the first thing that came to my mind when I walked by the TV just as they were announcing this, was that based on her comedy style, I could imagine her saying something at the end like Harvey Fierstein did in Independence Day -

[TuxedoKat]

62. Joan

I thought she was at her best and funniest in the '80s through the '90s, especially when she subbed for Johnny Carson. I remember one time she has PeeWee Herman on and he came on stage carrying and overly large bouquet for her. I don't remember more than that just that she was always supremely funny in those years. In recent years I hadn't enjoyed her as much which kind of disappointed me as I had such good memories of her from earlier times. I admired her energy and drive and constant reinventing of herself though.

My grandmother met her once in the mid-60s. She was staying at a hotel where my grandmother worked and Joan asked her to alter a dress for her which she did, but she was never able to get the dress back to her because she didn't know where to send it. My grandmother remembered her as being very polite and kind. I think my mom may still have that dress!

[Gothmog]

63. May she rest in peace

[Spitfire of ATJ]

66. Weird how this happened right after she said Palestinian civilians deserve to be dead.

[YOHABLO]

76. She made me laugh. Naughty Naughty for sure, but she didn't mean any harm.

[Damansarajaya]

80. Really? She wasn't a day over 39. nt

[oberliner]

82. Somehow I knew you'd be the first to report this information to DU

I take it you were a big fan of hers?

[Cooley Hurd]

83. Oddest comment on the OP...

[Purveyor]

96. Indeed. See if I get a reply. eom

[Purveyor]

95. Why so? eom

[Crewleader]

84. Rest in Peace Joan Rivers

[Rowdyboy]

85. Another piece of my youth died-and a Friday night ritual for my partner and me is over....

Rest in peace....

[Crewleader]

86. Hugs my friend

[City Lights]

87. RIP, Joan.

Peace to her loved ones.

[PFunk]

91. I understand she was a trailblazer but I can't praise her either.

Like Dennis Miller I stopped liking the woman awhile back. And her comments on the Palestinians (and her 'cover her ass' comments afterwards) cemented that. So I can only say good riddance.

[Corey_Baker08]

93. May She Rest In Peace & My Thoughts Are With Her Family,

I have always had so much respect for Joan Rivers and one of my fondest memories of Joan is when she won Celebrity Apprentice while taking on her final charitable tasks for the show, she decided that the charity she would donate her winnings to a non profit organization that helped straight, gay, bisexual & transgender individuals who suffered from Aids not only help them live their lives better on a day to day basis, but she also helped in donating to organizations that are looking for a cure to the Aids virus...

RIP Joan & Thank-You For Your Big Heart & Your Ability To Make Millions Laugh, You Will Be Missed!

[davidpdx]

100. Rivers was not one of my favorites

Most of the stuff she did was before I was old enough to understand it, so I'm not as familiar with her as I was say with Robin Williams.

[Reter]

102. I can't understand this, because she seemed so fiery and healthy two weeks ago

When she went on that tirade against the Palestinians, she was very lively for her age. How could she deteriorate so fast?