Let me begin by saying I was a fan of Joan Rivers. Let me add that I’m fully aware we live in a celebrity-obsessed media environment. Let me also tack on my knowledge that Ms. Rivers was a role model for women.
But, c’mon people. The media circus that began when the late comedian was first placed on life support continued right into this morning’s major newscasts.
I was watching CBS This Morning, and I can tell you the funeral coverage received more air time than:
– The ongoing ISIS debacle (and I, for one, wouldn’t want to do anything to upset those nut jobs)
– Obama’s latest problems with Congress
– The rapidly-spreading Ebola crisis
– And, even the new Royal embryo.
I know a bit about comedy, and I honestly don’t believe Ms. Rivers will be remembered as one of the all-time greats. Those spots are reserved for such true pioneers as Richard Pryor, George Carlin and Bill Cosby.
I believe our obsession with celebrities also reveals one of America’s biggest weaknesses: We have no clue what’s going on in the rest of the world.
ISIS beheadings of U.S. journalists aside, the average American has no interest in overseas events (i.e. the Ebola plague in Africa, Europe’s continuing economic woes, Putin’s hijinks in Ukraine, etc.).
Our myopia has already caught up to us as far more nimble global economies steal market share from American companies here, and abroad.
And, alas, I don’t see any quick fix either. Sure, our best colleges and universities are becoming more and more international, but will that be enough to offset our national self-absorption with Hollywood and Vine? I doubt it.
And, now, wait, Repman is receiving a breaking news report: Tonight’s NFL Monday Night Football Game will be postponed for a special retrospective ON all of the previous retrospectives on Joan Rivers. Be sure to tune into ESPN at 7:10pm!
Joan’s demise is indeed the death that keeps on giving (a line I believe Ms. Rivers would appreciate).
RepMan, can we talk? I had the privilege of seeing Joan Rivers on Wed., Aug. 27 — the night before she was hospitalized. When asked who was the greatest comedian, without missing a beat, she said Richard Pryor was in a class all his own. So, she would agree with you that he was indeed a pioneer. But so was she. She broke down barriers in the all-male comedy boys club of the 60s and late-night TV.
Regarding your other comments about the media coverage… I would argue that Sports regularly gets more newspaper coverage and broadcast coverage than hard news like the ISIS crisis.
Long live Queen Joan!
I may be one of the few who had to change the channel every time Joan Rivers was on, but opinions of her aside, I couldn’t agree more with your opinion on Americans’ skewed media priorities. Being aware of what is going on in the world may not be “entertaining”, but it is more useful. Being knowledgeable of current events affects everything from our family vacations to our voting decisions, which in turn has a whole other snowball effect. Having an opinion on a comedienne’s funeral arrangements may make for interesting dinner conversation, but having an educated stance on ISIS and our troops overseas and being aware of how to prevent the spread of infectious diseases can ultimately contribute to a global impact.
Fair enough. Joan Rivers was a pioneer. But I do not think she ranks alongside Carlin, Cosby or Pryor.
Joan Rivers was the first woman to ever have success in the stand-up comedy world. Gracie Allen and others were funny before her, but usually along with a man to play the smart one. As the woman who paved the way for other women to stand there with a microphone, she will forever hold a place in comedy history as a true pioneer. There is no question that Joan punched her way through that particular ceiling of glass.
Your point about the media and the public are well made, but I couldn’t disagree more with your claim that Joan Rivers was not a pioneer.
I am not commenting on the media beating the JoanRivers DeadHorse. I agree on that. The bigger issue is that you only paid lip service by calling her a role model for women, and do not consider her as a “true pioneer” in comedy. Anyone else notice that not one of your pioneers is a woman? If she wasn’t the female comedian pioneer, who the hell was? I think it’s horrible, that you flippantly say she was a role model, and in your list of pioneers leave her out. So only pioneers are men?
Well opined!
Totally agree. Amazing how little people actually know of true current events. It’s why I don’t watch American news and I read the BBC. I’d rather know when the doctor infected with Ebola has arrived in the United States as opposed to which 81 year old comedienne passed away this week.
Totally agree. Amazing how little people actually know of true current events. It’s why I don’t watch American news and I read the BBC. I’d rather know when the doctor infected with Ebola has arrived in the United States as opposed to which 81 year old comedienne passed away this week.