Joan Rivers Dies Aged 81

[Robin]

Joan Rivers, the acid-tongued American comedienne who was the first woman to break into the male-dominated world of late-night comedy, has died after a week in a coma.

The 81-year-old icon was put into a medically-induced coma last Thursday after she suffered a heart attack during a routine throat operation.

She was taken to hospital in New York and though her condition at points appeared to be improving she never regained consciousness.

Her daughter, Melissa Rivers, announced her death, saying: “My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon."

She added: “She passed peacefully at 1.17pm surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother. Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received from around the world. They have been heard and appreciated."

And yet another public figures dies in 2014.... She certainly was controversial, even to the very end.

 

[Zenith]

Well at least she can be recycled...

 

[Robin]

Well at least she can be recycled...

Yeah, I was thinking that!

 

[Vic Reign93]

Another one?!

This is almost starting to become worryingly routine.

 

[XS]

How soon we forget all those who left us in years past...

Anyway, I think she was lucky, going in her sleep. That said, I feel for her family and daughter. I wish them all the best.

 

[Aesthetics]

I hate what she did on that E Channel show. But I have to give respect to her - she was still up and running about at 81. That's a pretty big feat.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Joan Rivers nearly killed me once.

It was about 11.30pm and getting foggy on the M62 as I headed over to Manchester. I was listening to her on the radio talking about her daughter's "withdrawal from life" after the suicide of Joan's (second) husband. Her daughter was uncommunicative and emotionally completely distraught, naturally a very difficult time.

She was speaking about the "breakthrough moment" when she persuaded her daughter to go with her for dinner in a very nice restaurant. As they scanned the menu Joan leaned forward and said, under her breath "You know, if Daddy saw these prices he'd kill himself all over again".

It was suddenly a hugely emotional moment for them both and my eyes filled up with tears as I listened. Not a good idea on that motorway, at that time, in that weather. I had to park at the side until I composed myself, all very odd really.

I suppose that's what summed her up as a comic, the ability to cut through the crap straight into the sparking nerve of truth. But be damned funny with it. I couldn't always respect what she said but I always envied the balls she showed in saying it.

Mostly balls from previous victims, I'm sure she'd say. RIP.

 

[shmogt]

This was pretty sad. I found her very funny and she didn't hold back on what she wanted to say. Most people are so scared to say what is on their minds

 

[The Bman]

Anyone who is to speak their raw, uncensored mind gets credit in my book.