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Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers107 posts

Joan Rivers was an American comedian and television show host born in 1933 in Brooklyn, New York. Rivers first rose to fame as a guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1965. She went on to host shows such as The Late Show, The Joan Rivers Show, Fashion Police, and Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? Movies that she appeared in include The Swimmer, Serial Mom, Les Patterson Saves The World, and The Intern. In 1989, she earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Rivers also won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host in 1990. She was married to James Sanger in 1955 and to producer Edgar Rosenberg from 1965 to 1987. Her daughter is television show host Melissa Rivers. In 2014, Rivers died in Manhattan, New York at the age of 81.

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24 Feb, 2015

Oscar snub statement

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The Academy issues a statement regarding the omission of Rivers from the Oscars In Memorium segment.

Joan Rivers is among the many worthy artists and filmmakers we were unfortunately unable to feature in the In Memoriam segment of this year’s Oscar show. She is, however, included in our In Memoriam gallery on Oscar.com.

22 Feb, 2015

No memorium

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Rivers is omitted from the In Memorium montage at the Oscars that recognizes industry figures who died the preceeding year. Slate magazine’s Dan Kois:

[Rivers] was one of the reasons that many of us even CARE about the Oscars—because we watched what happened after she disemboweled hapless celebrities on the red carpet. Yes, Rivers was not one to pull punches and mince words, and surely bruised many an ego during her decades-long career as a fashion commentator. But she was an equal opportunity offender; and her vitriol somehow never felt too personal. But the Academy choosing to leave her out of the ‘In Memoriam’ montage feels very personal indeed.

1 Dec, 2014

Replaces Rivers on Fashion Police

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Griffin is to replace the late Joan Rivers on Fashion Police when the show returns to air with Golden Globes coverage on January 25.

I get it! These are some big shoes I’m going to fill. Joan was truly one of a kind. Now I hope you will accept me for me. I’m just Kathy. Did I say I’m just Kathy? I meant I’m Kathy F—ing Griffin and you celebrities better strap yourself in, as I am taking no prisoners. I am not holding back so DAMMIT let’s have some fun!

30 Nov, 2014

‘Maybe she would still be alive’

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A timeline of the moments leading up to River’s death, pieced together from interviews, confidential EMT records and a federal report and published by The New York Post, suggests that River may have lived had her doctors reacted differently. The report indicates that Rivers’ doctors continued scoping procedures for fourteen minutes, even though her pulse and blood pressure were dropping. Insider:

They should have stopped the procedure and started resuscitation right away and done an emergency tracheotomy if there was any obstruction. Maybe she would still be alive.

10 Nov, 2014

‘I haven’t been able to mourn and grieve’

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Osbourne discusses her late friend and mentor Joan River’s death on an appearance on the Today Show.

I can’t lie and say that I’m amazing. It’s something, to be honest with you, I really don’t like talking about because I haven’t been able to mourn and grieve the way that I want to.

4 Nov, 2014

Asked to replace Rivers on Fashion Police

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Griffin reveals that she was asked to take over for Joan Rivers on Fashion Police when it resumes in January.

They did offer it to me. I don’t know if the situation is correct at this time for me or right for me at this time.

Celebrity Apprentice judge

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Trump announces that Rivers will appear on the new Celebrity Apprentice as a judge, in scenes filmed before her death in September. The two shows in which Rivers appears will be in tribute to the late comedian. Trump:

We decided, in memoriam, we’re going do something and honor her during those two shows. She was so good, and I think she would have liked it that way.

23 Oct, 2014

Inherits over $100 million

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Melissa inherits $75 million in cash and a $35 million condo in New York’s Upper East Side from her late mother Joan’s estate. Source:

It’s no consolation for losing her mother so soon.

16 Oct, 2014

Cause of death: lack of oxygen

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An investigation by the New York City office of the Chief Medical Examiner reveals that Rivers died due to lack of oxygen to the brain resulting in brain damage. The Medical Examiner’s office considers the manner of death “a predictable complication of medical therapy”. Melissa:

We continue to be saddened by our tragic loss and grateful for the enormous outpouring of love and support from around the world. We have no further comment at this time.

2 Oct, 2014

Lawsuit against doctor expected

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Melissa Rivers is expected to file a lawsuit against Dr. Gwen Korovin, the doctor who performed the unscheduled biopsy during which Joan suffered cardiac arrest. Korovin continues to practice medicine. A friend of Melissa’s:

It’s very difficult to discuss something so unpleasant with her, but she is going to launch a lawsuit.

19 Sep, 2014

iPhone 6 Facebook post

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A post appears on Rivers’s Facebook saying that she is replacing her 2010 model iPhone:

This badass is being replaced by an iPhone 6 (not the fat one). I got this one in 2010, and after 4 years, my only complaint is that apps are now designed for bigger screens, and the battery is getting tired.

Apparently an automated marketing message, the post is quickly deleted.

‘Fashion Police Tribute’ airs

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Some of Rivers’ closest friends and confidants pay tribute to her in a special 90-minute Fashion Police episode on Friday, September 19, 2014. Melissa opens the show:

The last four years this set has been home to the funniest, most outrageous voice in comedy. This chair was the place a woman spoke the truth about celebrities and fashion in a way that was hilarious and absolutely 100 percent original. Tonight we want to say goodbye the only way my mom would want us to, by remembering the incredible jokes, the unbelievable guests, and all the moments on set and behind-the-scenes that made Fashion Police must-see television around the globe.

Rivers’ co-stars Giuliana Rancic, Kelly Osbourne  and George Kotsiopoulos all talk about Rivers and also show old clips and jokes from previous episodes with celebrity guest stars. Ranic was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and recalls what Rivers told her:

I came to the set for the first time, she said, ‘You got breast cancer, I heard. You’re gonna be fine. You know that, right? You’re having the surgery. You’re with a great doctor, at a great hospital.’ And you know what, she was right. And didn’t she finish with, ‘You’re gonna get perfect new tits?’

18 Sep, 2014

Melissa speaks for first time since funeral

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Melissa speaks for the first time since her mother’s funeral by posting a message on Whosay.com:

As my son Cooper and I mourn the loss of my mother, we want to thank everyone for the beautiful cards and flowers conveying heartfelt messages and condolences, which continue to arrive from around the world and through social media. My mother would have been overwhelmed by the scope and depth of the love that people have expressed for her. It is certainly helping to lift our spirits during this time.

We are forever grateful for your kindness and support in continuing to honor my mother’s legacy, and for remembering the joy and laughter that she brought to so many.

Doctor’s name released

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Members of the staff at Yorkville Endoscopy Clinic name Dr. Gwen Korovin as the doctor who allegedly performed an unauthorized biopsy of Rivers’ vocal chords, according to a source close to the investigation. Korovin is the same doctor who allegedly took a selfie while in the procedure room with Rivers. Other celebrities who have been treated by Korovin include: Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane and singers Celine Dion, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. Dr. Korovin’s lawyer sends a statement to CNN  in response to the reports:

Gwen S. Korovin, M.D. is a highly experienced, board certified otolaryngologist.  She maintains privileges at one of the city’s most prestigious hospitals.  She is respected and admired by her peers in the medical community and she is revered by her patients. As a matter of personal and professional policy, Dr. Korovin does not publicly discuss her patients or their care and treatment.  Further, Dr. Korovin is prohibited by state and federal confidentiality laws from discussing her care and treatment of any particular patient. For these reasons, neither Dr. Korovin nor her attorneys will have any public comment on recent press reports regarding her practice.  We ask that the press please respect Dr. Korovin’s personal and professional policy of not discussing her patients, as well as the privacy of her patients.

16 Sep, 2014

Doctor took selfie during procedure

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A Yorkville Endoscopy staff member tells investigators that River’s personal doctor, yet unidentified, takes selfie minutes before Rivers goes into cardiac arrest during an unscheduled throat biopsy. Rivers’ doctor is not certified by the clinic to perform a biopsy as required by New York law.

12 Sep, 2014

Gastroenterologist steps down

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Dr. Lawrence CohenDr. Lawrence Cohen, Rivers gastroenterologist and medical director at Yorkville Endoscopy is no longer with the medical center. Yorkville Endoscopy spokesperson:

The gastroenterologist who performed the endoscopy on Joan Rivers is no longer performing procedures at the facility where the comedienne and actress went into cardiac arrest. Dr. Lawrence Cohen, the medical director of the facility, was asked to leave Yorkville Endoscopy and has since stepped down.

11 Sep, 2014

Dogs included in will

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Rivers’ goddaughter Tracie Hotchner tells the Daily Mail that Rivers left “clear provisions” for her rescue dogs in the will. Rivers owned four dogs. Samantha and Teegan lived with her in New York City, and her Jack Russell Terrier and Border Collie stayed with her in California. New York Post columnist Cindy Adams revealed earlier that Samantha and Teegan were allowed to visit Joan in the hospital “for a moment to kiss mommy.” Hotchner:

How could you not love a woman who, when push came to shove, called her doggies her best friends and in later years said they were better companions than a husband because ‘They didn’t leave the seat up!’

9 Sep, 2014

Broadway League reverses decision

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Reversing their initial ruling, The Broadway League will dim the lights on Broadway in tribute to Rivers. Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The Broadway League:

Due to the outpouring of love and respect for Joan Rivers from our community and from her friends and fans worldwide, the marquees of Broadway theaters in New York will be dimmed in her memory tonight, at exactly 6:45pm for one minute.

8 Sep, 2014

The Talk interview

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Judge Judy shares her thoughts on friend Rivers:

Joan was one of those people and she can’t be replaced, you’re absolutely right there are some people who just are so important to our history but more than that knowing her personally she was one of the kindest, most generous gracious ladies.