Aurora-bound Rivers chats about Oscar fashion, getting older
Joan Rivers' raspy, New York-accented voice is instantly recognizable - and on almost every TV channel.
Tune in to E!, and Rivers is critiquing Hollywood A-listers on their award show fashion choices. Flip to Comedy Central, and she is cracking jokes as fellow comedians rip into her fondness for plastic surgery.
Go to TVLand or We, and there's Rivers with her 42-year-old daughter, Melissa, on the reality shows "How'd You Get So Rich?" and "Mother Knows Best." Over on QVC, Rivers is hawking her popular jewelry and clothing line.
That's just in 2010. It doesn't include her work from the past 45 years in show business, where she's teamed up with everyone from Jack Parr to Kathy Griffin, on shows ranging from "The Electric Company" to "Celebrity Apprentice."
Rivers isn't just a comedy legend; she's unlike any 76-year-old woman around.
Less than 48 hours before she hosts Sunday night's Academy Awards red carpet show on E!, she'll be in Aurora. On Friday night, March 5, Rivers will perform her funny but often politically incorrect stand-up show at the Paramount Theatre.
We spoke to Rivers about her upcoming Aurora show. Below is an excerpt of the interview:
Q. Do you have any connections to the Chicago area?A. My first success was in Chicago at Second City (during a short stint in the early 1960s). That's the soft spot in my heart for it. It was the first time I was making a living in comedy. That was the first time my parents came out to see me and thought, "Maybe she's not a fool."Who else was in the Second City cast with you? A. Alan Arkin. I replaced Barbara Harris. David Steinberg. Del Close ... and Mike Nichols used to come out there and direct us, because he wanted to be a director.You're coming here to do stand-up. What topics will you talk about?A. You talk about whatever is interesting to you, and you hope interests them. Obviously the Olympics, Tiger Woods and the Oscars.Speaking of the Oscars ... any thoughts about what fashion trends we're going to see Sunday? A. From what we saw at the Golden Globes and Grammys, it's going to be ruffles. And everyone's being told to wear prints. So (some actresses) ... they'll look like sofas.Have you always been into fashion? Or did you just get into it because you were funny?A. I always loved fashion. All through college, I worked at Lord Taylor and did their windows for them ... and I've been on QVC for 20 years now. Twenty years of designing jewelry, clothing and handbags. In the beginning, I got a lot of, "What do you know about fashion?" but I said, "What do YOU know?"You are involved in so many projects. Which one is your favorite? A. Whatever I'm doing. I love performing live. When the audience is with you, that's so great. When they laugh with you, that's amazing. I love the writing, which is what the "Fashion Police" (on E!) is about. I love every aspect of the business, which is why my career has lasted as long as it's lasted. When you get older, some people want to sit and rock, sit and rock. I don't want to sit and rock. The only good thing that comes with age is that you can say anything, because you don't give a damn. What are you going to do? Fire me? I've been fired many times. Big deal.The roast of you on Comedy Central was funny. But was it hard to hear jokes about your age or your plastic surgery?A. Oh, no. I could have given you the topics. Nothing surprised me. And nothing was off limits to them, except my grandson. He's 9 years old ... and don't you dare do a joke about him, because he can't stand up and say, "Back at ya!"Well, it's been nice talking to you ...A. Can I say one more thing? Any gays in Aurora better show up. Six gay men in a show make the show. If you're a straight person, bring your gay uncle.You are popular with gays.A. I do have a huge gay following, thank God. They laugh, and they have less inhibitions about political correctness. If you look down and you see your gays in the front row, you know it's going to be a good show.Joan RiversWhen: 8 p.m. Friday, March 5Where: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., AuroraTickets: $39.50-$69.50Info: ticketmaster.com, paramountaurora.com or (630) 896-6666Note: The show is rated "R"