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merrily

(45,251 posts)

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

Thu Sep 4, 2014, 04:24 PM

Sep 2014

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.

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Highlight:

Joan Rivers Dies at 81 [View all] Purveyor Sep 2014 OP

Rest in peace to a very funny lady dbackjon Sep 2014 #1

a long and frutiful career big_dog Sep 2014 #4

Even though I knew this was going to happen yeoman6987 Sep 2014 #78

Longer article at NBC: alp227 Sep 2014 #2

Tragic way to go out, but I'm glad she's not going to linger for months and months on LS hlthe2b Sep 2014 #3

She called Michelle a tranny and made horrific remarks about Palestinians. Zen Democrat Sep 2014 #6

Indeed... hlthe2b Sep 2014 #11

that wasn't the Joan I remember Skittles Sep 2014 #14

Same here. She just got nastier as she got older Warpy Sep 2014 #21

Yes. narnian60 Sep 2014 #33

Ya know, I think along these lines.... FarPoint Sep 2014 #65

I couldn't watch her either MissDeeds Sep 2014 #75

I agree. murielm99 Sep 2014 #39

yup Skittles Sep 2014 #90

Was thinking the same thing - she was hilarious years ago The Velveteen Ocelot Sep 2014 #67

Most of her barbs were 840high Sep 2014 #18

I was hoping to see Rivers make a full recovery ;nonetheless, c588415 Sep 2014 #103

She clarified on Instagram at least. ncliberal Sep 2014 #10

Thanks. I hadn't heard that clarification. deurbano Sep 2014 #30

That clarification is because there was talk of boycotts. Zen Democrat Sep 2014 #44

Thanks. I hadn't followed it, except for hearing the shocking and disgusting Palestinian remarks. deurbano Sep 2014 #48

She also became extremely vulgar, and Ineeda Sep 2014 #97

She was certainly one of the female comedians who led the way, that's for sure. merrily Sep 2014 #56

It was tragic MissDeeds Sep 2014 #73

my sympathy to her family and friends Skittles Sep 2014 #5

God, Fox "News" is pontificating on her now... 47of74 Sep 2014 #7

turn the channel Liberal_in_LA Sep 2014 #12

That turned out to be easier said than done 47of74 Sep 2014 #92

To be fair to Fox Non-News, alp227 Sep 2014 #49

RIP undeterred Sep 2014 #8

She should have never crossed Carson with her own show Omaha Steve Sep 2014 #9

yup - she went from being one of the biggest comedy draws Adenoid_Hynkel Sep 2014 #13

He was a vindictive asshole Skittles Sep 2014 #15

Carson? Action_Patrol Sep 2014 #17

when Joan's husband died Skittles Sep 2014 #25

Perhaps Action_Patrol Sep 2014 #28

he never fooled me Skittles Sep 2014 #29

X Action_Patrol Sep 2014 #37

people like Jon Stewart are happy to see folk they work with attempt to go solo Skittles Sep 2014 #43

--- Action_Patrol Sep 2014 #47

I'm sure Jon would be pissed if they did it in the shady way Joan did Adenoid_Hynkel Sep 2014 #72

They had a good synergy... MADem Sep 2014 #53

I wish I could recommend this post... Cooley Hurd Sep 2014 #81

Hahahahaha! The actress playing Thatcher nailed it. pa28 Sep 2014 #98

same here olddad56 Sep 2014 #89

He was both a legend and a vindictive asshole Tom Ripley Sep 2014 #79

He was the king of late night, for sure. But I thought he was rather awful to her when she got her calimary Sep 2014 #46

She talks about Carson in this interview. MADem Sep 2014 #61

On the plastic surgery Iwillnevergiveup Sep 2014 #70

The other comedians at least told him about it before the fact Adenoid_Hynkel Sep 2014 #74

He felt very betrayed because she was on his short list as his replacement, and he felt she MADem Sep 2014 #51

She was not on NBC's short list - one of the reasons she left for her own show was because an Midwestern Democrat Sep 2014 #99

From the accounts of those who dared to cross him he was a mean-spirited and vindictive bully herding cats Sep 2014 #57

correct Skittles Sep 2014 #69

Many Greats RobinA Sep 2014 #101

She stabbed him in the back Adenoid_Hynkel Sep 2014 #64

no one owes someone the rest of their life Skittles Sep 2014 #68

how so? Adenoid_Hynkel Sep 2014 #71

His popularity came from his comic genius, same as hers. olddad56 Sep 2014 #88

RIP - thanks for 840high Sep 2014 #16

While I was sad about her recent controversial remarks, this is sadder, closeupready Sep 2014 #19

Who was she wearing when she left? Capt. Obvious Sep 2014 #20

... Wait Wut Sep 2014 #36

LOL! Perfect tribute. nolabear Sep 2014 #41

Post removed Post removed Sep 2014 #22

Why hide it? You are proud of pissing on her grave so why hide it. CBGLuthier Sep 2014 #26

You're welcome to your opinion but could we maybe wait till the body's cold? Gidney N Cloyd Sep 2014 #32

Honey, if everybody had to be perfect this world would echo from the lack of inhabitants. nolabear Sep 2014 #34

BINGO..... MADem Sep 2014 #52

I was never a fan of hers but may she rest in peace liberal N proud Sep 2014 #23

Rest In Peace Crabby Appleton Sep 2014 #24

And the Republicans lose another one. lady lib Sep 2014 #27

Clearly her glibness was wasted on some. You speak perfectly and have the correct god, right? nolabear Sep 2014 #40

Thank you for that. narnian60 Sep 2014 #42

I call it like I see it, Nolabear. lady lib Sep 2014 #94

Good-bye, Joan. sinkingfeeling Sep 2014 #31

She did end up on an ugly road... logosoco Sep 2014 #35

Amazing Woman otohara Sep 2014 #38

I have huge respect for anyone that made me as mad as she did. nolabear Sep 2014 #45

Devastating. Unexpected. She was in good health before she went to that clinic for that MADem Sep 2014 #50

Well said, MADem n/t MissDeeds Sep 2014 #77

... littlemissmartypants Sep 2014 #54

She was good to work with, I'm sorry to see her gone navarth Sep 2014 #55

Thanks for this. So often people see the performer and think it's all there is. nolabear Sep 2014 #59

Heard about her death on KZPS-FM here in D/FW this morning. She was simply legendary. AverageJoe90 Sep 2014 #58

R.I.P. BumRushDaShow Sep 2014 #60

Joan TuxedoKat Sep 2014 #62

May she rest in peace Gothmog Sep 2014 #63

Weird how this happened right after she said Palestinian civilians deserve to be dead. Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2014 #66

She made me laugh. Naughty Naughty for sure, but she didn't mean any harm. YOHABLO Sep 2014 #76

Really? She wasn't a day over 39. nt Damansarajaya Sep 2014 #80

Somehow I knew you'd be the first to report this information to DU oberliner Sep 2014 #82

Oddest comment on the OP... Cooley Hurd Sep 2014 #83

Indeed. See if I get a reply. eom Purveyor Sep 2014 #96

Why so? eom Purveyor Sep 2014 #95

Rest in Peace Joan Rivers Crewleader Sep 2014 #84

Another piece of my youth died-and a Friday night ritual for my partner and me is over.... Rowdyboy Sep 2014 #85

Hugs my friend Crewleader Sep 2014 #86

RIP, Joan. City Lights Sep 2014 #87

I understand she was a trailblazer but I can't praise her either. PFunk Sep 2014 #91

May She Rest In Peace & My Thoughts Are With Her Family, Corey_Baker08 Sep 2014 #93

Rivers was not one of my favorites davidpdx Sep 2014 #100

I can't understand this, because she seemed so fiery and healthy two weeks ago Reter Sep 2014 #102