We have friends who had tickets to see Joan Rivers at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey last Friday.
When the show was cancelled the day before, because she was hospitalized after something went wrong during what appeared to be a minor throat procedure (it had to be minor if that show was still scheduled to go on), they looked forward to a new date being set for her performance.
Sadly, that will not happen. Joan Rivers passed away at 1:17PM today. I have no other details, but they are sure to come.
Ms. Rivers was a great comedian, an even greater comedic writer, and – despite the cosmetic surgeries – by all accounts as “real” a person as you could ever meet.
My one personal experience with her was a brief, early-morning exchange at the Continental Airlines lounge in Newark some years ago when, while getting coffee and a light breakfast, we both laughed at what was being passed off as bagels there.
I also had some dealings with her assistant, Jocelyn Pickett, regarding a TV show proposal (still a damn good one, if any quick-witted show host-types are looking for a terrific project: I just haven\’t had time to pursue it recently). Jocelyn eventually told me Ms. Rivers was turning it down – in part because she had another project in mind, which I assume was her collaboration with daughter Melissa.
I could write paragraph after paragraph of Joan Rivers\’ fabled life. But, instead, I\’ll let the obituaries give you the particulars. Leave it suffice to say that we lost an entertainment giant today.
My condolences to Melissa, grandson Cooper, and the rest of her family.
May Joan Rivers rest in peace.
