On September 4, 2014 countless 20-somethings all around the world lost their rogue and outspoken voice. Joan Rivers was that voice for many of us. Joan always blurted out what we were always thinking but we were too reserved to articulate. Commonly known for her harsh (but hilarious) critiques on her show Fashion Police, Joan Rivers was always able to come out and give the rudest (but true) commentary about celebrities and what they wore. Comedian, producer, writer, television host, fashion critic, actress extraordinaire, Joan made the most out of her 81 years on this planet.
One thing we should thank Joan for is her ability to ground celebrities. By critiquing celebrities so publicly and harshly, she humbled the glorification of celebrities in the eyes of her viewers. Some more important things that we must remember Joan for is her resilience and determination to achieve her career. Joan’s tenacity to establish herself as a prominent female comedian paved the way for other female comedians to enter the otherwise inaccessible, male-dominated comedy industry (IJR). Notably, Joan was the first female co-host on The Tonight Show (with Johnny Carson).
She taught us the importance of honesty and comedy. During the darkest times of her life, like coping with the suicidal death of her husband, Joan always coped, or masked the pain, with comedy. Shortly after her husband’s death, Joan took her daughter out to dinner. After looking at the prices on the menu, she exclaimed, “Daddy would kill himself all over again if he saw these prices!” (The Richest). She even made a movie about it, Tears and Laughter, with the intent to help other people cope with their pain. Joan’s movie was based on the healing power of openness and discussion, rather than suppression and coping alone. As the IJReview website claims: “Rivers never ran from that pain; she embraced it publicly and let it fuel her craft.” When called out by the paparazzi for being addicted to plastic surgery, Joan would openly admit her love for it. Once she responded to a question with “If I could change one thing about my appearance…too late. I’ve already done it!” (E! Online).
Joan’s open honesty and vulgarity is inspirational in the sense that someone can be incredibly successful by simply saying how it is, all the time, uncensored. Joan’s daughter delivered a charming and humorous eulogy, including: “”To all of you here—and to those who loved Joan: Go out there and make people laugh. DO something. Say Something. Wear something that makes someone else chuckle,” she explained. Joan Rivers’ death is certainly a sad loss, but I’m sure we’ll all remember her the next time we’re rolling our eyes at Miley Cyrus’ red carpet outfit.
Sources:http://www.eonline.com/news/577856/melissa-rivers-touching-hilarious-eulogy-for-joan-rivers-revealed-mom-you-re-30-days-late-on-the-renthttp://www.ijreview.com/2014/09/174521-kira-davis-7-important-things-remember-joan-rivers/http://www.therichest.com/expensive-lifestyle/entertainment/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-legendary-joan-rivers/?view=all
Pictures:http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/modal_800/2012/12/joan_rivers_johnny_carson_a_l.jpghttp://www.theimproper.com/film/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/joanrivers-edgarrosenberg1.jpg