Heresy alert: I’m about to say something that isn’t gushing with praise for the late comedian Joan Rivers.
Rivers could be funny at times. She made fun of herself and her obsession with plastic surgery. She lampooned people mercilessly, a la Don Rickles. She was known to be generous with her time and her show biz wisdom, which she reportedly shared with up-and-coming performers.
But for the life of me I am having difficulty understanding all the adulation that’s being heaped on her in the wake of her death.
She was 81. Rivers had some throat surgery performed and went into cardiac arrest, or so I understand. She was put on life support, then sent home from ICU. And then she died.
I’m said she’s gone. I’m sorry for her daughter and I am sorry for those who idolized her.
But I’m not going to lament the passing of a “comedic legend” or a “genius.” I don’t consider her a particularly innovative comic talent.
Robin Williams? Now there was a genius of the first order.
Well, I’ll get through all these tributes that the broadcast and cable networks are going to air on television. They’ll be heartfelt, I’m sure.
For my money, though, show business still has many more comic geniuses who are still among us.
As forĀ Rivers’s standing among female comedic geniuses, well I’ll just say she will remain a distant second to Carol Burnett.
Rest in peace, Joan Rivers.