Joan Rivers: The Entertainer

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Sep 5, 2014 | Peggy Noonan

[Labyrinthos]

At the 1984 RNC convention in Dallas I worked the Reagan-Bush motor pool. Joan Rivers showed up at our door and needed a ride over to the convention center. It was my turn to drive so I drove her to the convention center. She was really nice and I told her how nice it was to see some Hollywood support of our president, and she said, "Honey, I am not from Hollywood, I am a New Yorker."

And Maximus Reagan won NY that year by a near landslide.

[Ditter]

That was great, thanks.

[TalBlack]

It wouldn’t surprise me that a leftist couldn’t just tweet:’Wow, dead, God keep her’and leave off on the venom.

But seriously do you know who the elite are? I’m stunned that I catch the promo’s for Conan and so far have recognized 1 out of every 20 or 30 names. And these are people who, a good portion of the time, don’t look all that young.

I guess you have to be plugged in to know.

[billorites]

I love her sense of humor.

She was so delightfully and shamelessly raunchy.

[CatherineofAragon]

Probably because you’re a nicer person than I am, LOL.

[miss marmelstein]

Oh, no I’m not! Unfortunately.

[Labyrinthos]

She was so delightfully and shamelessly raunchy.

But never disgustingly dirty.

[Balding_Eagle]

I wondered about that myself. Strange timing.

[Girlene]

That was a great read. Thanks for posting it.

[COUNTrecount]

You’re welcome.

[driftless2]

The “elite” are probably just as insecure and driven as Rivers was. There is no showbiz elite anymore. If there ever were any. Remember Fatty Arbuckle?

[driftless2]

I don’t know why that should be a big deal to Streisand. Thousands upon thousands of entertainers have changed/anglicized their last names over the years. And not just Jewish entertainers. For example Judy Garland was born Frances Gumm. So they change their name...so what?

[Jeff Chandler]

R.I.P.

[Jeff Chandler]

Loved the one about Renee Zellweger.

[miss marmelstein]

Her response confused me as well - especially when she changed her own name. I still think we should bring back short, pithy names in show biz and get rid of “real” names.

[miss marmelstein]

Fatty, at least, was innocent unlike most of the actors who manage to get themselves arrested today.

[Yaelle]

You should have read it. Noonan at her almost best. They were clearly close friends and it was a real and moving tribute.

[Yaelle]

Your article has a lot more info, but it’s more negative.

[Focault's Pendulum]

But never disgustingly dirty.

You never saw her in Vegas. She was right up there with Buddy Hackett. Still funny, tho.

[Yaelle]

Thanks for these!

Did you see the clip last night with her and Barbara Walters? Baba wawa asked if Edgar (still living at the time) didn’t mind all the jokes she told on him. Immediately, Joan responds, “I’ve never ever told a joke mocking Edgar. I’d never do that! Pay attention to each joke; I’m always mocking ME.” And I started to pay attention and indeed, it’s true.