Joan Rivers Carson Tonight Show 1981

[@fakerating]

That woman was quick... there will never been another Joan Rivers..

[@soilmanted]

I don't think she was quick. I think she learned lots of jokes, wrote them down and cataloged them according to topic, committed them to memory, and just rattled them off. I didn't find anything she said to be funny. I found her to be boring, actually. Smart. Accomplished. Yes. But quick? I don't think so.

[@fakerating]

@@soilmanted why don't you share with us which comic you do find to be "quick". we know you don't find her "funny", so it would be interesting to know who someone of your comic understanding is in fact quick and/or funny.

[@soilmanted]

@@fakerating There are some comics who I think are funny but I don't necessarily think they are quick. Most of what I seem to recall is comics doing prepared and rehearsed material. They make ti seem as if they are doing it "in the moment" but that is what actors do. Sometimes they ad-lib and often the ad-libs are added so seamlessly that I can't tell where the rehearsed lines end and the ad-libs begin. I only know, or at least have been told, that they used their quick wit to ad lib, because someone told me that that is what happened. From what I understand much of what Peter Sellers did in Lolita, and Dr Strangelove, was ad-libbed. Where he performed rehearsed lines and where he was ad-libbing, I don't know,. But I thought he was really really funny in those 2 movies. I have also seen him being interviewed by Michael Parkinson . Some of his remarks seemed rehearsed, others seemed spontaneous. Which are which? If you are really good at acting I won't be able to tell. But indeed, Sellers was infinitely more funny that Joan Rivers. Was he as nice a person in real life? Legend says Rivers was really nice in real life and her insults were only part of her act. Legend says Sellers was not always so nice. I think Sarah Silverman is infinitely funnier than Rivers. So is Lily Tomlin. Judy Tenuta.

[@Mytesticleshurt]

Theodore Sugarmerchant Lolita? Funny? I think you’re standards on comedy are kind of irrelevant..

[@soilmanted]

@@Mytesticleshurt Yes, starting at the opening scene where Seller's character "begs" for his life, and the scenes where Sellers character who is stalking Humbert Humbert (I forget the brilliant actor's name) and shows up to talk to him, posing as a psychiatrist, and a policeman, are hysterically funny. Sellers was just brilliant in the movie. Supposedly some of what he did was improvised. Yes it was very dark humor, and very subtle and sophisticated. Watch the "psychiatrist" scene where Sellers comes to Humbert's home and questions Humbert about his relationship with Lolita, supposedly Hubert's daughter. Seller's character (I forget his name) makes Humbert _squirm,_ even though Seller's character was _also_ banging Loltita, and _more_ abusively. James Mason played Humbert. He was very funny too. As was the actor who played the bellboy at the hotel, who brought the cot. I'm having trouble finding the actors name, on IMDB.com. But wonderful slapstick humor between him and James Mason trying to unfold the "cot." The actor does a brilliant job of portraying humble subservience and innocent desire to be helpful to others while not being adequately appreciated by the other characters - or by IMDB.com either. Brilliant acting job. I wish I could find his name. The scene was made especially dark and unsettling because Humbert had no intention of using the cot. It was just a prop to make it seem - although probably no-one believed it - as if he had no sexual relationship to Lolita. He was dead set on sleeping in the same bed as Lolita. And Sue Lyons was very funny in this movie too. She is often underrated as an actor but she was just brilliant here, as was her mother's character, Mrs Haze, played by Shelly Winters. Winters was absolutely hysterically funny in the way she related to Humbert. Shelly Winters was one of our best actors and one of the funniest. She was just absolutely brilliant. Interesting that in her youth she played sexually attractive young women, and in this movie she played an older, less physically attractive, and very _needy_ woman - and she played it brilliantly. Her neediness also made her unattractive, not just her age and appearance. This movie was filled with brilliant exposition of human interaction, and brilliant, dark humor. Yes, very unsettling. Made me squirm. But it was hysterical.Yes, sadness can be very very funny. Oh my god I'm watching this again and Sellers is even better than I remembered. He plays a sort of "Epstein-like" character. Maybe more Ghislaine Maxwell-like - a famous playwright who casts young women, in their low teens, in school-plays, bangs them too, and later wants to cast them in pornographic movies. What a despicable character. Very disturbing movie and at the same time hysterically funny. Watch the scene where Sellers pretends to be a policeman and talks to Humbert in a "friendly" manner but really not so friendly. Sellers and Mason were unbelievably funny here. Two "normal" guys talking about normal things. Right. And Humbert, knowing that what he was doing was wrong, and trying to pretend he wasn't doing it. James Mason was very very funny too. Just the look on his face when Sellers talks to him about all kinds of normal things.

[@RedLP5000S]

I was too young to appreciate Ms. Rivers as a child, but now I'm just laughing in tears. God Bless you Joan.

[@paulkelly7009]

She was and still is the best and will continue to be.. No one could touch her ever

[@SaxonC]

Joan is the only comedian that I love seeing her laugh during her act! She truly was thankful and humble through out her legendary career! She never took her fame and career for granted and she was always extremely gracious and loving towards her fans. She was also an extremely educated woman and she survived in an era where stand up comedians were 99% men and she always remained relevant and hip! We lost a great star five years ago. She was the greatest female stand up comedian and Don Rickles was the Greatest Male Stand up comedian. Both survived thrived despite the Political correctness and snowflake generation! I was blessed to be able to have watched them on tv and live on stage! The only truly funny stand up comedians now are, Sebastian Maniscalco and Fred Rubino!

[@kenmore01]

"Is it my fault that I have to pay a mortgage?" LOL She was was amazing! 😁

[@fox39forever]

It's true. The giggles are catching! 🤣

[@paulkelly7009]

Well said.. ❤ Very true words ❤

[@gloriascott6001]

Joan Rivers was a crazy, funny lady and I loved her raspy, fast paced delivery. To me her tone of voice made her punch lines even funnier.

[@justynjonn]

Even she didn't have that voice and New York accent and attitude....well she wouldn't be Joan Rivers.

[@scottgarbo8663]

Joan was always, always clever, original, brilliant and far ahead of her time. This clip is decades old and still makes us laugh out loud. RIP, great lady.

[@briananderson2452]

As I was watching this vidio a family member knocked on my bedroom door to see if I was "OK"! Thank you Miss Rivers.

[@reealitychick]

@@briananderson2452 right on---- hilarious still after all these years... Laugh till we scream...

[@jp0308]

I have seen many of Joan Rivers's appearances on the Tonight Show and other venues and she was the Queen of female comics! She could go toe to toe with any male or other female comic. The absolute best!!!

[@DDumbrille]

You're entitled to your opinion. She was IMO an angry, bitter, insecure woman who -- unlike Don Rickles -- had no humility. Just anger.

[@yomilalgro]

without a doubt!!!!

[@bahamutskingdom]

Queen of COMICS period.

[@DDumbrille]

@Kj Burwick Jeez, put the bottle down and then try again. Seriously, get some help!

[@DDumbrille]

April 8th 20201? Seriously? Sheesh.

[@as-bz5hn]

holy shit. joan is punchline after punchline. legend

[@KutWrite]

I would've love to have heard the one she couldn't deliver because of her & Johnny's giggles.

[@daveford7414]

The best.👍

[@JARomero88]

Her comedy was much more cutting edge and controversial at this time. Still so damn good! So sad she's no longer with us.

[@atrocchia]

I think her husband wrote a lot of her material. When he died, her comedy became more crude and less funny.

[@sydneyprescott3374]

It's sad everyone has gotten so sensitive that this kind of comedy wouldn't fly

[@KutWrite]

TheReal: Yes sad, and the way she went was especially sad... and suspicious.

[@lemurianchick]

@@KutWrite She would have been a great supporter of Trump. Can't have that!

[@lemurianchick]

@@atrocchia BULLSHIT. You can tell she is naturally funny in interviews where she says things spontaneously. My favorite comedians weren't into a schtick but good at ad-libbing and improv: Robin Williams, Joan, and Roseanne.

[@chrisk8187]

Her jokes and punch lines cause explosive laughter even now after all these years. She's part of an elite few comedians who could do that!! And she was the queen of self deprecating humor!! Her fearlessness was awe inspiring! The gown she was wearing looked liked university graduation PhD robes. Something she deservedly earned. Her delivery was was world class infectious!!!

[@noahnguyen6924]

Never wore a bad dress, she’s just fabulous

[@gabotdf]

Sorry, love her but in this dress looks like an arlequin

[@rvufo]

Power outfit for sure.

[@sammyandoliver7522]

@@gabotdf I love this dress!

[@trainrover]

MIGHTILY out-dated outfit for (e.g.) Europeans to stomach though. What astonished me is how modern her flair tastefully became during her senior years.

[@nateburch4977]

"You've been robbed!" That took me OUT!!!!

[@carloszenon4562]

Lmao

[@leonardssenkindu5802]

Nate Burch lol 😂😈

[@gusa8006]

😂😂😂😅😅😂😂😂😂

[@MrEarname]

"This is probably the last time... I'll ever see you." Wow, he really adored her. She's on fire.

[@lemurianchick]

Unfortunately Johnny had a vindictive streak in him and really shut her down tv-wise when she went on her own. He had such an affable side to himself that it is shocking that there was also a dark side.

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@lemurianchick How did he shut her down besides not having her on his show any longer? His was not the only show on TV as I recall.

[@randycraig]

Joan was so great and so cute. Johnny? What a pro. He set up jokes and was so supportive, straight man genius. He never tried to outshine the guest. Watched it twice in a row, impeccable timing. Even when Joan was giggling Johnny knew how to ground the moment.

[@anyasilka2325]

TWO OF THE BEST!!! MISS THEM SO MUCH!!! R.I.P. Dear Joan and Johnny...you both can NEVER be replaced!!!! God Bless!!!

[@jmitchell6103]

Joan actually was friends with Charles and Camilla. Charles was a fan of hers

[@gusa8006]

Charles is atrocious and so is Camilla The Rotweiller 🚫Abolish the MONARCHY 🚫

[@gj471]

@@gusa8006 go to hell lol

[@BigBoshV]

@@gj471 Imagine *not* opposing a family that sits on a chair worth more than a small country telling us all the awfulness of poverty.

[@RockLobster2402]

@@gusa8006 But then the Queen couldn't devour children!

[@gusa8006]

@@gj471 😂🤣🤣

[@mattbernabe]

I love Carson's laugh. You can tell it's genuine. It's not overly obnoxious and over the top like Fallon. I love that he let's Joan and other comedians talk and do their jokes. He doesn't climb in at every second. He climbs in at the perfect time to keep the conversation going.

[@perfectlyjust]

So missed. A legend.

[@Gramma-Bambi-Lynn]

Love it when she cracks herself up!

[@SaxonC]

“I LIKE TAMPONS!” Lol 😂 I spit out my ginger ale !

[@divalicious4888]

That comment always puzzled me till u looked up the commercial. Have u ever actually watched them? They are hilarious. Poor woman even hellen keller could hear her breathe...

[@gusa8006]

😅😅😂😂😂

[@arlenemulqueeney7891]

I miss Joan. Felling down just watch one of her visits to Johnny RIP all three of you 💝

[@jimfrimmer9111]

She was on fire on this particular show. Maybe the greatest female comic ever.

[@jwillislaw]

Joan Rivers: “Johnny was the greatest straight man, ever.”

[@Big-guy1981]

Well they couldn't use Elton John as a straight man.

[@gusa8006]

@@Big-guy1981 😅😅😂😂😂😅

[@connievino4226]

How can anyone not love this.

[@karinaathenarose6711]

Thank you for posting this,love watching Joan Interviews,they are always fun

[@yomilalgro]

I miss the one and only best comedic icon Queen Joan Rivers, and Johnny

[@christopherramon-reid2000]

WOW! Joan is pure Hollywood glamour here!

[@44matija]

I like that "princess of whales" joke

[@kenmore01]

She didn't pull any punches. Absolutely great comedy! I even said ouch a couple times and it's 2021 lol! 😂

[@italoman9]

I always liked the “Joan’s Theme” music the band on the show played for her when she entered or exited the stage. 😎

[@sunnu777]

Joan was a BEAST!!! Everybody loved her. She was the flip side to "Mr. Warmth" himself, Don Rickles. RIP...

[@bennymoret1339]

Imagine👉🏾Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, And George Carlin...in The Same Show In Vegas in the Late 60's n 70's.Amazing But i Bet Problably They Never Work Together...RIP Those 3 Legends.

[@TheBeatnikPainter]

Joan was mesmerizing and so lovely. Her brains and witty personality was very refreshing.

[@lionheartroar3104]

I miss Joan..such a funny lady

[@ciaransammon]

She is the blueprint. Absolutely exceptional!!

[@donnygat]

Her hair is always so perfect

[@SaxonC]

The woman was on fire! Love her!

[@edmondjames7154]

Johny has the most contagious laughter ever

[@daveford7414]

Ya know rickles and carson were legends but joan was even funnier.laugh after laugh.no woman comedian comes close to Her.i am 50 and.we where so lucky to see all these great comedians.

[@eddyp359]

I will always love you Joan. When late night was worth watching. Now, it’s pure garbage!

[@ataraw.6142]

Not even funny. Especially when these nitwits get political.

[@yomilalgro]

Totally agree, I sure miss the legends

[@Meatcity-sf8fm]

Pure garbage indeed

[@sammyandoliver7522]

Agreed 100%! Now it's pure garbage and talentless.

[@sammyandoliver7522]

@@ataraw.6142 That's all they seem to know what to do. That and swearing. No talent.

[@errorsofmodernism9715]

Johnny really knew her routine and would set her up perfectly.

[@paulkelly7009]

These interviews were well before my time but how much I laugh watching them.. I was born in 82 think this was late 60s and all I can say is this is by far more epic than the stuff todays comic ls can deliver

[@jimjennings7623]

She is just ADORABLE in this clip!

[@rddavies]

I love everything about her but the way she starts to say a word but leaves the last part unsaid because her mind has already raced ahead to the next thing is such genius.

[@coloneljawoof6832]

Joan was fantastic!

[@jesusisking3974]

These two were like bread and butter....you couldn't have one without the other. I can understand why he felt betrayed when she left to move on in her career. Sadly life dictates nothing lasts forever especially the good times. Looking at them here no one would believe Carson would end up a loner and die with no one at his side. Life works in mysterious ways. 😟

[@sheismymom]

She was loyal to him beyond reason and NBC treated her like crap. Johnny probably had no idea how they treated her, but it's no wonder she left when given the opportunity to host her own show.

[@thebrowncrew]

She killed every time she was on.

[@elisabethst.claire5088]

I certainly miss Joanie.......

[@markwoods4439]

These shows remind me how beautiful Joan was before she started with the plastic surgery.

[@thelessimportantajmichel287]

Mark Woods By this point she had already had procedures.

[@queensuejesuseschild3136]

She had it done it here too but wasn't was much at This tune

[@lucillerichardson3231]

She was not pretty enough in her own eyes.

[@markwoods4439]

Lucille Richardson A lot of gorgeous women fill that way about themselves, sadness.

[@sammyandoliver7522]

I thought she was very beautiful right to the end and plastic surgery made her look even better. I wish I had the name of her plastic surgeon and even more I wish I had the money to be able to afford him or her.

[@Zodiac1981-i4f]

Oh Joan 🤣 how I miss you 😔 the world has lost its sense of humour and we need you back 😢

[@teresapflaumer5717]

11:49 "I LIKE TAMPONS!" I spat my water out hearing that joke! Love ya Joan!

[@arsenalsam4693]

Really sad to know all these greats are in heven, I hope they will never be forgotten.

[@scottrindal7859]

Joan so great here znd Johnny was a master straight man. Compare him to Jimmy Kimmy who never met a guest's sentence.he didn't want to finish.

[@sammyandoliver7522]

Jimmy Kimmel is downright vicious, rude and abrasive. A talentless hack.

[@sammyandoliver7522]

Johnny and Joan are the Best!!!

[@ashbounas5521]

In this clip Joan Rivers looks so pretty here so out of this world really nice

[@harpoon_bakery162]

her self-deprecating humor is perfect. johnny was rolling.

[@shakib7692]

Her voice is so unbelievably attractive to me and I don't know why. It just does something to me especially when she does that laugh where she loses her voice.

[@DrQazaz]

She was magnificent

[@O___00]

11:50 is one of the funniest things ever with joan on johnny's show..!

[@silvereyes242]

o oo I LIKE TAMPONS!

[@cjhepburn7406]

It's very warm. What did they fall out about again? Did he work again after she did that show?

[@earlgray7003]

I liked when a guest would make Johnny laugh so hard that he'd swivel his chair around and laugh toward the band.

[@adriancolon8435]

The QUEEN of standup!

[@aminahshabazz8689]

Joan is a hilarious Gemini! Her entire interview is a monologue!!!😂

[@trainrover]

L e g e n d a r y J o a n 🍸 Gobsmacked that this old clip had me in STITCHES. I miss you Joan ❤

[@superloose5632]

Regarding the royals, I don’t think people realised then just how Joan was so close to the truth... lol!

[@bethelle9099]

Yes, like the queen biting the head off the cake bride.......hmm!!!!!

[@robertarthur3889]

Fantastic appearance. Queen of Comedy!

[@johnpayne1428]

I love her sooooo much !!!

[@DA90027]

I think this was her funniest performance ever on the Tonight Show.

[@sammyandoliver7522]

So do I.

[@manbtm1]

She was just hilarious

[@heresjohnny5307]

I have no bazzombs! My wedding night, edgar opened up my blouse and screamed you've been robbed!!😂😂😂

[@DanDan-xh9zx]

Heres Johnny 😂😂😂😂

[@beaellie9766]

There are some women in the audience who are laughing just as hard as Johnny.....fantastic!

[@jermainejennings1514]

HILARIOUS!! Encore!!! Encore!!! 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@mariazapata5064]

Joan: “ .... the girl who used chapstick on her thighs ....”🤣🤣🤣🤣 OMG ! I’m dying 🤣🤣🤣🤣 that was so funny 😂!

[@NabilMiller88]

Thank you so much for posting this ♥️

[@shunpo9]

Joan is disgusting. I love her so much still and always.

[@justynjonn]

Disgusting?

[@sammyandoliver7522]

@@justynjonn I know. I'm also wondering about that.

[@kendriti]

@@sammyandoliver7522 me too

[@macomg.7169]

We miss you Joan, you've been the best ❤️❤️. Legend

[@pinaopina]

5:02 😂😂😂 the ears on prince Charles.

[@roldandelcid6186]

Suyapa opina can you explain that joke please.

[@joanmurphy2166]

Such talent!

[@joemaxwell1044]

Joan was so great here. So sad what happened between her and Carson.

[@alansmithee183]

Watching Joan crack up at her own humor is the best

[@JamesPowellActor]

It's sad watching this knowing how Johnny and Joan had that big falling out and he never spoke to her again.

[@jeffdawson2786]

Joan, fierce as always.

[@denyasaltz1994]

Joan WAS AND EVEN NOW WATCHING PAST CONVERSATIONS SHOWS SHE IS STILL ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS. SIMPLE TALKING TO CONVERSATIONS LIKE SHE WAS TALKING TO FRIENDS. TRUTHFUL HUMOR. YOU HAVE TO LAUGH😃🕎✡️

[@howardkoor2796]

She was amazing

[@sydneyprescott3374]

Omg.... the Elizabeth Taylor joke😳😳🤣

[@josephcutrona1456]

It would have been fun to see Joan Rivers and Robin Williams perform together..

[@queensuejesuseschild3136]

Joan was to fast for Robin she was fast with one liners better then anyone else.

[@spideranansi929]

Rodney Dangerfield was really quick and awesome with hecklers.

[@247snob6]

The Dress!! So Good!

[@scootaroo28]

Wow, when johnny mentioned plastic surgery and she said she would do it but you have to be careful... that didnt age well. Poor Joan was silenced.

[@salubriousinfo]

She was

[@xzanderryan5740]

she ate the bridal boquet 😂😂😂

[@johnking5174]

Joan had to tread very careful at 7:40 when mentioning affairs, as in 1981 Johnny was well known in the industry for being an unfaithful husband. Don Rickles used to say Johnny was always on the hunt for woman. Indeed his third marriage by 1981 was about to end because of numerous affairs he had and Joan knew it.

[@harrysmith747]

And, when you're done here go ahead...Google "Brenda Vaccaro Tampons"

[@salubriousinfo]

Lol thank you!

[@reginabarron4073]

She's, laughing SO hard, she can't speak! 💙💝💘

[@jamesfarrington9030]

Her line "It was just..." was great.

[@deborahhoffman7394]

I have a freaking headache from laughing! Wow!

[@MAC...007]

Her wit was very quick. 😂 A legend. 💙

[@lenwelch2195]

It took 6 jokes till the audience laughed at Nancy throwing jelly beans jokes.

[@amyforbes3180]

She amazing so funny the queen of comedy xxxxx

[@RobertHiguera-zi6tu]

I remember Joan Rivers she makes Johnny Carson

[@maximilian2974]

Studying for her pap test...genius!!

[@thefakenewsnetwork8072]

Long live freedom and democratic socialism

[@gg5115]

Only Johnny could crack her up and bust up her act.

[@silvershaddow1415]

Sad what happened between Joan Rivers and Johnny Carson. Here she mentions 14 years of friendship. What a Shame! At the time real respect between the two of them.

[@mark.lawrence]

"she ate the bridal bouquet" 🤣

[@wowdad3055]

The one and only Jone Rivers funny woman.