Comments on: Joan Rivers

By: Ted

Ted — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:20:02 +0000

Even now, months later, I still remember Rivers’ sarcastic dismissal of Palestinian suffering during the recent Israeli assault on Gaza: “Those poor Palestinians,” she said, her tone clearly indicating she had no sympathy at all. What an awful woman.

PS: Before anyone says it, What Hamas does or doesn’t do isn’t relevant here; I’m not a Hamas supporter in any case. I just feel profound sadness for the 1000+ Palestinians killed and the thousands more wounded during the Israeli assault.

By: David

David — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 06:47:13 +0000

This interview was very awkward. It was because of Tom not Joan. Tom you were off on this interview. I heart Joan Rivers.

By: Peter Seligson

Peter Seligson — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 07:00:32 +0000

Reading the comment from Scott who said he met Joan once briefly and she was the most gracious and kind celebrity one could ever meet is refreshing. I think Joan has a delightfully warped sense of humor that comes across as very bitter and mean spirited. But beneath it there is this nurturing side to her that always makes it sound like she’s talking directly to you like you’re the only person in the world and she’s giving you her undivided attention. I think a lot of people don’t like her because she’s been around forever like Regis Philbin and longevity breeds getting fed up with celebrities, especially the ones who are very public like her and talk incessantly. Her scratchy voice has never endeared people to her either…. Johnny Carson was a creep and she’s right about him. How could he get so angry over her getting her own talk show on Fox? What did he think, he owned her? Instead of wishing her well and showing some class for a supposed icon of his stature, he never spoke to her again.

By: Nola

Nola — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:24:24 +0000

I know this show was two weeks ago, but this is the first chance I’ve had to comment. (I hope Tom Ashbrook still reads these things.)
A day or two before Joan Rivers was on pushing plastic surgery, Nora Ephron was a guest and also spoke positively about it.
I am bothered on two counts: first most people I know cannot afford such surgery, so using that method to appear younger is only viable to a small percentage of people. Second I think we are all better served by someone who can speak to the challenges of and value in “growing old graciously,” rather than focusing on denial. Growing old is not for the faint of heart; it takes courage!

By: Gala

Gala — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:54:29 +0000

Dear Joan Rivers,

I would argue the “misery” you speak about your mother is not a result of gravity, rather, from a lifetime of lack of opportunity, choices, and options because of her gender.

By: Melissa R.

Melissa R. — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 02:16:52 +0000

As a Jewish woman, Joan Rivers has always made me cringe. Her humor represents the worst type of stereotype that hopefully is falling out of fashion. As for her support of plastic surgery, I see nothing wrong with a nip or tuck when it is warranted, but Joan, honey, you look like a house cat.

By: IMK

IMK — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:38:17 +0000

I’m not sure I agree with Joan on the amount of plastic surgery that’s required to make somebody look good, but she is a darling on the radio – a pleasure to listen to. And thank you for speaking out about the current conflict in Gaza – NPR desperately needs some common sense on this!

By: Sandy

Sandy — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:01:22 +0000

I never said censored. Look what happened to Don Imus for one silly and very inappropriate comment. Was he fired for what he said? Joking about jews and blond germans in leather? 9/11 victims and their families? How is that any more excusable?
If my father died on the plane, how would I feel to hear this: my daddy died the most terrifying death, but we are better off without him because we got money???? This is the story told in public media. It makes me cry.

By: Frederic C.

Frederic C. — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:59:00 +0000

Help the aged.

I forgot my most important point; (elective)plastic surgery does not make most people look ‘better,’ Joan Rivers included. Just look at the picture above. She just does not look right.

Sure, isolated sections of the face may be made more taught, but my overall impression of someone receiving plastic surgery for racial reasons (to look more Nordic &c.) is that they are disfigured.

By: r. gibbons

r. gibbons — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:00:11 +0000

Sandy, it would be a shame to stop supporting this generally wonderful program. I hope you dont mean it!

By: r. gibbons

r. gibbons — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:58:08 +0000

While I find Ms. Rivers’ real attitude towards the conflict in Gaza totally offensive (the post by “ecco” couldn’t state it better), I don’t believe such voices should be censored from public radio. *That* would be the big mistake. As for her comedy, I think it must be critiqued separately, just like the actor versus the person. Many comedians (funny to me or not) choose controversial topics to “joke” about in part to simply make absurd humor and in part to truly rattle people (think Dennis Leary or Bill Maher for example). Ms. Rivers definitely manages it, and I admit to laughing at some of her material on the show.

By: ecco

ecco — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:52:22 +0000

Wow. Gaza? Too bad you can’t buy a heart and something for that sagging spirit.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:51:01 +0000

“Freedon to speak in that way… only in America!”

I guess from this perspective, from a previous comment, which I agree with, she is free to say anything she wants. I just wish someone had given her insight on issues she had judged.

By: Frederic C.

Frederic C. — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:11:04 +0000

Joan Rivers on On Point?

Bizarre.

Who’s next, Sarah Silverman?

They are both have brains but no hearts.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:23:15 +0000

One more thing: I have long been supporting WBUR with my hard earned dollars. I don’t feel it’s appropriate any longer to give money to a radio station that’s moral standard has swayed so far from mine. I like widely conflicting and diverse views but I personally know 9/11 victim families and I feel ashamed that public media had aired this “joke” or “view”.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:01:15 +0000

This woman should be in jail. Saying the 9/11 wifes are better off with the 5million than with their husband is no better than the terorrists who killed them. How come we prosecute anyone who is a threat to our security, but we allow monsters like her disgrace these victim’s memories. Tom Ashbrook, you played accomplice to this, don’t you feel it was a big mistake to put her on the show?

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:24:32 +0000

Always controversial, always funny (yes!) and always brilliant. Joan is a strong woman with a brilliant mind, which doesn’t always sit well with everyone. I happen to adore Joan and her wonderful humor and her down-to-earth demeanor. I met her briefly once and she was the most gracious and kind celebrity anyone could hope to meet. Love her!!!!

By: elena

elena — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:02:57 +0000

I am a devoted On Point listener, but this was just about the worst hour of radio I have ever heard.

Joan Rivers is deplorable — small-minded, mean-spirited, ignorant, and not even funny! I hate to stoop to her level of judging people based superficially on their appearances, but she’s not even beautiful — her one claim to greatness — she looks like a glossed up robot!

Her characterizations of feminism, both those who advannced it in the past and its aims and achievements today, are totally distorted and do women no favors.

Her official bio says she epitomizes class — and yet she wastes an hour of public broadcasting trashing other people with baseless claims.

And THEN her ignorant rant on the crisis in Gaza: “I’m so tired of hearing those ‘poor Palestinians’… this is madness, and I don’t get it.” The only accurate thing she said the whole: admitting she doesn’t “get it”!! She obviously doesn’t know a damn thing about the Middle East, the geopolitics of the Israel-Palestine conflict, or the realities on the ground in Gaza, where nearly 1,000 Palestinians have been killed, while 13 Israelis have die — several of whom by their own weapons! How can she be allowed to drone on without a single clarification of the facts?

Tom, you’re brilliant, you consistently bring us timely, engaging, insightful, balanced, and truly entertaining shows; please stop wasting our time with such foolish filth!

By: Frederic C.

Frederic C. — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:34:07 +0000

It’s just sad. She’s very funny and strong.

Why hold out for someone who likes you just the way you are when you can acquire phenotypic features of the dominant culture?

If fact, as a public figure, JR is just making it worse for women (and men) by surrendering to a culture of ‘monkey brain,’ impulses and worshiping one’s insecurities.

By: BAS

BAS — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:11:01 +0000

Ms Rivers comes across as vitriolic about ordinary human processes, dressed as crusty, narcissistic humor barely masking fear and loathing. Whew! sounds exhausting.

Hopefully better guests and dialogues upcoming, Tom.