This month marked the 10th anniversary of the untimely death of pioneering comedian Joan Rivers, but even after all these years, her legacy remains as strong as ever, especially in the world of celebrity fashion.
However, her daughter, Melissa RiversShe believes her iconic mother wouldn’t have been a fan of the current climate of cancel culture in fashion commentary and beyond, and would have wanted nothing more than to make light of it all.
Rivers, who tragically passed away after undergoing a routine endoscopy in 2014, was not only famous for her jaw-dropping, hysterical comedy, but also for her role on E!’s hit show Fashion Police, as well as her legendary red carpet commentary and interviews.
The famous comedian had people laughing out loud as she talked about the red carpet looks of celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Heidi Klum and Nicole Kidman, just to name a few.
But considering how much things have changed these days, Joan would surely have had some strong thoughts about all this, according to her daughter.
Melissa Rivers, the daughter of iconic comedian Joan Rivers, gave an exclusive interview to DailyMail.com this week about her mother’s legacy in fashion, what she would have thought about cancel culture and more.
Rivers and her daughter were very close and even had a reality show together called Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?
Rivers also announced Dead Funny: A Living Tribute to Joan Rivers Benefiting God’s Love We Deliver at New York’s Apollo Theater, which will play during the opening night of the 20th Annual New York Comedy Festival on November 7.
“I said her act would be to make fun of that, to make fun of the fact that we’re not allowed to have fun or joke around,” Melissa said during an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com this week, where she also announced Dead Funny: A Living Tribute to Joan Rivers Benefiting God’s Love We Deliver at New York’s Apollo Theater.
The tribute will take place during the opening night of the 20th Annual New York Comedy Festival on November 7th.
And while Melissa herself is a fan of the inclusive nature of fashion these days, she still wants people to remember that, at the end of the day, it’s something that’s supposed to be “fun.”
“Again, it’s fashion, and I love inclusivity and body acceptance, and I love that you can look at something and find yourself. I think it’s been a huge step forward. But it’s fashion,” she said.
“It’s supposed to be light-hearted, it’s supposed to be fun, it’s supposed to be aspirational, it’s supposed to make you feel good, and when everyone starts taking everything so seriously, then you add worry and insecurities, and I think the pendulum has swung too far,” her daughter continued.
During the interview, Melissa also reflected on the “enormous” legacy her beloved mother left in the world of fashion.
For years, Joan and her daughter pioneered the red carpet, making it so entertaining that many would say it was even more interesting than the awards shows themselves.
Joan first hosted the red carpet at the 1994 Golden Globes for E! on her own, and then had her daughter the following year for the Oscars.
For years, Joan and her daughter pioneered the red carpet, making it something that some would say was even more interesting than the awards shows themselves.
Melissa also added that they were “lucky” as many of the people they were talking about on the red carpet were starting to become big celebrities and “it girls.”
Rivers, who lived in Manhattan, tragically died during a routine endoscopy in 2014.
“It’s fun to look back and say that’s part of his legacy, and I like to say, part of our legacy,” Melissa told DailyMail.com.
“You know, with the red carpet, we made fashion magazines come to life beyond the catwalk, and I like to think – and not just because I’m one of the producers and creators of it – that we really changed red carpet fashion and celebrity attire,” Melissa explained to DailyMail.com.
Melissa also added that they were “lucky” as many of the people they were talking about on the red carpet were starting to become big celebrities and “fashion girls.”
“It was one of those things that became a silver lining, where there were women who loved and understood fashion, and it was a great wave to ride,” she said. Host of Melissa Rivers’ Group Text Podcast shared.
“We had the rise of the stylist, and then we had all these collaborations and people aligning themselves with a designer, and it’s really fun,” Melissa continued.
“It’s fun to look back and say that’s part of his legacy, and I like to think that’s part of our legacy.”
Of course, part of that legacy was ‘Fashion Police,’ an iconic show that aired on E! for over two decades, from 1995 to 2017, co-created by Joan and produced by Melissa.
The show, which featured humorous commentary on celebrity fashion, was a hit with pop culture fans and non-fans alike.
Following her mother’s passing, Melissa served as co-host of the show alongside Giuliana Rancic and Brad Goreski.
However, when asked about a possible reboot of the influential show, Melissa admitted that she thinks those days are “long gone,” though people still approach her every day asking her to bring it back, she says.
Of course, part of that legacy was ‘Fashion Police,’ an iconic show that aired on E! for over two decades, from 1995 to 2017, co-created by Joan and produced by Melissa.
This spring, the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, will open an exhibition that includes all of Joan’s archives.
Following her mother’s passing, Melissa served as co-host of ‘Fashion Police’ alongside Giuliana Rancic and Brad Goreski.
A play called “Joan,” about the comedian’s extraordinary life, directed by David Ivers, will run from Oct. 27 to Nov. 24 at the South Coast Repertory Theater in Costa Mesa, California.
“That would never work. It just can’t be done,” he said.
‘I mean, I hope in my lifetime we get back to a place where people can have a sense of humor about themselves, but I think those days are long gone and that makes me sad.’
The New York Times bestselling author admitted she has “turned the matter over and over” in her head, but has nothing up her sleeve yet.
“I haven’t figured out how to thread the needle yet,” Melissa admitted. “I hope I can, but I also hope we can laugh again.”
‘My mother always said that when you make someone laugh, you give them a mini vacation, and God knows we all need a mini vacation.’
In addition to Dead Funny: A Living Tribute to Joan Rivers, which will feature “three of today’s biggest comedians,” among others, fans will also be able to remember Joan in a few other ways this year.
TO Work called ‘Joan’ about the extraordinary life of the comedian, directed by David Ivers, will run from October 27 to November 24 at the South Coast Repertory Theater in Costa Mesa, California.
And this spring, the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, will open an exhibition featuring all of Joan’s archives.
