Joan Rivers finds humor in being yourself | American Masters | PBS

Official website: www.pbs.org/americanmasters | #AmericanMastersPBS
On November 16, 2006, Joan Rivers spoke about her experience as a female comic in the early 60s and finding her comedic voice. Interview conducted by director Michael Kantor for the six-hour PBS comedy series, “Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America” (2009).
Chapters:
00:00 Working and breaking through the limitations placed on female comics in the early 1960s
02:34 A bit of cheeky irreverence to survive the condescension of the Borscht Belt
03:46 Finding her voice with the infamous smartasses of the Second City improv group
06:40 Johnny Carson and Ed Sullivan lend some helping hands in an uphill battle for establishing a female comic’s legitimacy
08:45 Television launches a New Wave in homegrown American comedy
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Now in its 38th season on PBS, American Masters illuminates the lives and creative journeys of those who have left an indelible impression on our cultural landscape-through compelling, unvarnished stories. Setting the standard for documentary film profiles, the series has earned widespread critical acclaim: 28 Emmy Awards-including 10 for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special-two News & Documentary Emmys, 14 Peabodys, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards, an Oscar, and many other honors. To further explore the lives and works of more than 250 masters past and present, the American Masters website offers full episodes, film outtakes, filmmaker interviews, the podcast “American Masters: Creative Spark,” educational resources, digital original series and more. The series is a production of The WNET Group.

[@Mr_Frankystein]

Miss my favorite comedian. This world is so terrible..we need her humor and entertainment more than ever.

[@dddddadadad1796]

I AGREE!❤❤❤ miss her so much

[@ajw60189]

I miss Joan ❤

[@sheismymom]

She looks so gorgeous here and I love those earrings.

[@Igor-ps5cd]

Beautiful woman.

[@wildoceanappaloosawomangay2535]

She was the real f-king deal, Genius We miss you 😔

[@stephanie3848]

My mom and I used to watch Joan on Fashion Police every Fri night. We would laugh so much together

[@adriancolon8435]

The funniest woman to ever live ❤

[@sailorcansado]

“Im joan rivers and i put out” 😂😂😂😂 RIP GENIUS ICONIC ❤

[@mandogundam5779]

It sounds like Joan is referencing her moments self awarness of authenticity in an industry that is primarily focused in falsehood. Hollywood based industries are an illusion, but she tip-toed around saying she stands out because she learned she makes mistakes but she refuses to lie or fake her way through anything. She wants people to remember her humanity and use her life as an example. For better or for worse... Absolute legend!

[@warchild2005]

I miss her I'm STILL shocked she's gone

[@stingraytor]

So intelligent.

[@paulvargas2609]

Joan Rivers was the BEST in her field!!! I miss her humor and we definitely need laughs now in the world!!!

[@partonlvr]

I wish there was more of this interview...

[@robertodg8743]

we all really miss Joan, no one can be like her

[@got2bjosh]

3:57

[@marlonsalvadorbandal3278]

The story told by Joan here is the entire Plot of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

[@user-fb4sb1zi8g]

Miss Joan so much! Our world needs that politically incorrect humor again. People have gotten way too thinskinned

[@user-xr5gu1rq6f]

Ten years without satire

[@peteradaniel]

Maisel

[@davidcahan]

I love Joan but the conceit is a little hard to listen to. I was pretty not ugly like the other ones so people thought i was the singer. My goodness 🤦🏼

[@MaleOrderBride]

I agree. And her story starting with Second City being all snobs...but she says it like its a compliment?!😂

She said "fairly pretty". She sounded far from being conceited talking about her perseverance.

[@joannaedwards6325]

imo..she was SO ANNOYING and mean spirited. 😝😝😝😝