Thank you, Harry! Not so much a fan of Phyllis, though. Although she was another pioneer comedienne extraordinaire and a fine woman, her witch-like cackling and bizarre ensembles put me off (actually gave me nightmares….) as a tot who was allowed to nod off to the sights and sounds of “The Tonight Show!” (And sometimes Dick Cavett or Joey Bishop, too….) Needless to say, I developed some rather sophisticated viewing habits far earlier than those in my comparative peer group, precocious child that I was.

You are right, Sarah does have the early look and could transform herself to look older and go blonde. You know there will a Lifetime movie in like two months!

Ya; I think Sarah would be great…wouldn’t be surprised if they went with Kathy Griffin…she has the rasp!

While Silverman may possess a slight passing resemblance to “Miss Rivers,” it is a purely physical one. That revolting guttersnipe could never hope to capture the brilliance, talent or incredible life force that was “Joan,” and the same goes for others in the current crowd of crass comedic vulgarians (i.e. Griffin and Chelsea Handler, to name but a few….) who aren’t even worthy to shine the late self-deprecating diva’s designer chaussures. In spite of Joan’s well-publicized, wildly wicked wit and outrageously risqué routines, in her private life she was a highly intelligent, extremely refined and elegant woman with an exquisite sense of style and taste, not to mention, impeccable etiquette, something with which none of these other “ladies” (and I use that term VERY loosely) would seem to be familiar, based upon their own utterings and writings. While I was mostly aware of much of Rivers’ “life story,” even I was further enchanted by some of the really precious, impressive tidbits that have come out about her in the past few days…(Peggy Noonan’s WSJ piece was a personal favorite….) and so to suggest that any of these contemporary potty-mouthed misses (for whom she bravely blazed the trail they followed…..) could portray her is patently absurd. A real actress of immense range and capabilities will be necessary to encapsulate all the nuances that comprised this remarkable, irrepressible legend, although at this point, I find it not just a little bit ghoulish and distasteful to be discussing casting possibilities before the wonderful woman herself is even properly eulogized, buried and mourned.

Well, Shay…she’s been mourned, eulogized and cremated. Can we have your permission to discuss it now? As for Kathy and Sarah…Joan didn’t share your opinion of the two ladies. She was very close to both of them; she even took Kathy with her to a gala held by the Royal Family in England.

I doubt she would be as incensed as you seem to be. Fact, she might possibly have been quite thrilled with either choice, should, or should I say when…a movie on her life is made.

And by the way Shay…you might want to google In Bed With Joan…Sarah was her guest and it was a fun, warm interview…after which Joan kisses Sarah’s hand and says she loves her.

Just sayin’.

@rebecca1….I don’t dispute that Joan was both a gracious, charming hostess and warm, loving woman to many, many different types of people, particularly those of the generations that followed in her formidable footsteps…..she had a really eclectic collection of friends and associates, as witnessed by her funeral guest list. All I was saying is that there was so much more to this fascinating, cultured icon than the bold, bawdy stagecraft she presented to the world…for example, she graduated college Phi Beta Kappa, had a career in fashion prior to her groundbreaking foray into comedy and became a prolific writer and skillful businesswoman-designer after that. She led a graceful, classy existence and was simply so much more than just her public persona, and as such, it would require someone truly tasteful, stylish, brilliant and versatile to successfully portray her in any tribute that could seriously do her memory justice. I simply cannot envision either of those crude contemporary examples named as being able to accomplish that feat. Furthermore, should such a project honoring this impressive, sparkling lady ever be attempted, it would hopefully be with the blessing and guidance of her daughter and grandson, so keeping that in mind, I would hardly think that a clearly devastated Melissa and Cooper would be up for discussion of this matter any time in the near future. I was simply suggesting that allowing them some proper time and space to grieve would be the respectful and dignified thing to do.

Shay…once again we’ll have to agree to disagree. Joan Rivers was a legend. Yes. She was also crude and a “potty mouth”…using your term regarding the other two comediennes I mentioned. Have you looked into their backgrounds to see if they’re educated? Do you assume that they’re not educated, refined…that they don’t write…on and on. I think it’s presumptuous and pretentious of you. Furthermore, taking Kathy to a gala presented by the Royal Family would indicate to me Joan had the highest regard for her…and in theinterview I watched (online) with Sarah…same thing.

There have been bio movies made of Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean, John Lennon, Martin Luther King…on and on and on. I don’t think a casting director looks for the qualifications you deem necessary to play a role…they need to act. Usually, there’s some resemblance if the casting dept gets lucky. I think either Kathy or Sarah would be great in the role…but they might be too expensive. Who knows…Honestly? To me, not a big deal.

As for the timing of the discussion…Joan Rivers was the first one to crack jokes or discuss events regarding other people’s demise, including her own husband’s.

More important in my mind is to find out exactly what happened to cause JR’s death. I just get the sense that it could have been avoided…and should be fully investigated.

And yet again another thought. Of alllllllll the people Melissa could have chosen, she chose the King of shock, crude, vulgar and actually compassionate and wonderful Howard Stern to do the eulogy. I think that says it all…

As for the timing of the discussion, I sincerely doubt Melissa Rivers will be reading these comments…LOL. I feel perfectly at peace with myself for responding to Timmm’s post.

Well, we can at least concur that Joan’s was a senseless and perhaps, avoidable demise, rebecca1!!!! Even now that the initial shock is over, I am still truly saddened over the loss of this great comedic legend. I am not reluctant to admit it really gave me considerable pause….and I’m not usually one to mourn celebs or notables. The public deaths that have resonated with me are quite few and far between….I recall feeling so bad when Farrah Fawcett passed away after her courageous fight against cancer and was extremely tearful at Ronald Reagan’s demise following his tragic battle with Alzheimer’s, but in general, not so much. Since we last traded thoughts, I have continued to read much about Joan’s private side from those who knew her best….not necessarily the rich and famous, but the close and personal, and there have been some extremely interesting and heartwarming tales of an elegant, gracious and profoundly generous lady. Just truly impressive stuff….so much there to admire, and that is why I stick by my original thoughts that it’s going to take a really remarkable, well-rounded and talented person to capture all those unique qualities that comprised this amazing individual….if that makes me sound pretentious or presumptuous to opine that neither of the suggested choices could best fit that criteria, then so be it. (We’ve certainly respectfully disagreed before and gotten past it! LOL…) While I have no positive thoughts in regard to either Silverman or Griffin, I’m particularly strident about Kathy…even though she may have experienced the immense pleasure of going to London to meet the Royals with that wonderful woman, there have been some extremely disturbing reports from very reliable sources that before Rivers was even pronounced deceased that Ms. Griffin was jockeying to replace her on Fashion Police….although of course, she has denied it. Yet those making the accusations are extremely close to Joan’s family and should know the veracity of these claims….if so, that is absolutely tacky and appalling. Also, I have read of Howard Stern’s supremely salty send-off, as well…quite frankly I wish I hadn’t, as it seemed so inappropriate in a house of worship, but whatever, it was intended for River’s invited audience, and maybe it should have stayed with them!!!! (Their business, not mine!) Then again, perhaps that situation best exemplifies the true dichotomy and alchemy of the lady herself….as one of her dear friends, Cindy Adams, commented after her death…(Joan was) “brassy in public, classy in private.” Thus, should a project ever come to fruition saluting this magnificent maven of fun and fashion, I can only hope that it will be one befitting of the irrepressible, irreplaceable icon….she deserves to be remembered for all the fantastic facets that made her so unforgettable….of that, I am sure we can see eye to eye on!!!! P.S. Sorry it took so long to reply to you….I didn’t forget, was just really busy. Also, I wasn’t personally criticizing your timing in the comments we were discussing…I was perhaps being… Read more »

rebecca1….In this particular case, it was not only the what but the how that was so very tragic…and the more that comes out about the situation, the worse it becomes. (Today’s latest just floored me….a selfie? Oh please, dear Lord, I hope that is not true. How much more undignified can this all become???) Nobody should have to leave this world under such deplorable conditions….especially when they could afford to pay for the best medical care possible, and ye tot still be subjected to such quackery and unprofessional conduct? As for all other conjecture, only time will tell. But I am sure if you cared to search for that particular rumor you could find it….I can say that it came from Page Six courtesy of Richard Johnson via Cindy Adams, and I cannot imagine she would make up something like that and publicize it under the circumstances….she must have had impeccable sources. If it is valid, then it is simply awful. As for James Gandolfini, believe it or not, I have never once seen an episode of the Sopranos….just not my cup of tea, but I really was not that shocked at his demise, because by his own admission he put his body through so much self-abuse…not that his passing wasn’t sad, particularly for his children, but it didn’t really surprise me. Robin Williams? Well, with as much comedic genius as that man possessed, it always seemed to me that he was on the brink of insanity, like so many other freakishly talented people. So while his ending was also terribly shocking, at least it was his through his own free will, even if that decision was clouded by illness….unlike Joan, who had much more life she wanted to live….she even said how much her daughter needed her because she was all she had….a “Mama Bear” to the very end!!!