Joan Rivers' tribute to bring out the stars including Aubrey Plaza
"I enjoy life when things are happening. I don't care if it's good things or bad things. That means you're alive. Things are happening." ~ Joan Rivers
A new comedy special will bring Joan Rivers back from the dead, at least for one night.
NBC will honor the life and legacy of the late comic with "Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute," an hour-long television special set to air May 13. It will be available to stream on the Peacock network later this month.
"Given that I'm dead, I assume someone will finally decide to honor me," Rivers said in a letter she left for her daughter, Melissa Rivers. "Well, it's about time."
The comedy special, which stars Delaware's own Aubrey Plaza and cameos from many famous comics, was filmed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem on the opening night of the 2024 New York Comedy Festival, NBC said in a news release.
You won't get far down the list of most influential comedians of the 20th century without landing on Joan Rivers.
The comedy pioneer, died in 2014 at the age of 81.
Here's what to know:
Joan Rivers was a comedian and television personality who was a regular on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and made frequent appearances on other shows, including "The Ed Sullivan Show."
Rivers also served as host of daytime talk show "The Joan Rivers Show," for which she earned her first and only Emmy Award. She later hosted Fox's version of "The Tonight Show," dubbed "The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers."
Rivers is best known for her fashion commentary on E! Network's "Fashion Police" and "E!'s Live from the Red Carpet" telecasts before every major award show, from the Golden Globes to the Grammys.
She discussed the dos and don'ts of celebrity fashion from 2010 up until her death in 2014. Rivers also famously coined the phrase, "Who are you wearing?"
Rivers also was a Grammy Award winning performer, a Tony Award-nominated actress, bestselling author, playwright, screenwriter, film director, columnist, lecturer, radio host, jewelry designer, entrepreneur and the renowned creator of the modern-day red-carpet interview show.
As first reported by Deadline, the tribute to Rivers next month will feature a long line of comedians including Aubrey Plaza, Tracy Morgan, Sarah Silverman, Margaret Cho, Chelsea Handler, Howie Mandel, Patton Oswalt and many more.
With her sharp tongue and daring wit, Rivers didn't hold back, and neither will the tribute special.
Other celebrities on the bill for "Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute'' include Nikki Glaser, Bill Maher, Rachel Brosnahan, Tiffany Haddish, Neil Patrick Harris, Joel McHale, Jean Smart and Rita Wilson.
Also featured in the special, which was recorded at the historic Apollo Theater in New York City last fall, will be Rivers' daughter, Melissa Rivers.
According to NBC, "Performers will deliver a mix of classic Rivers zingers and modern stand-up, and there will be musical bits, as well.''
The group, including Chelsea Handler, will "pay homage to Rivers' razor-sharp humor and impact on pop culture" through standup, musical bits and tributes.
They will also revisit "Rivers' legendary cabinet of jokes" but add their own personal spin to the material to make it timely and new.Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"Given that I'm dead, I assume someone will finally decide to honor me. Well, it's about time,' Rivers wrote in a letter she left for her daughter, Melissa Rivers, NBC reports.
"This tribute is everything my mother would have wanted — hilarious, unfiltered and filled with people she respected (and roasted). And as usual, she was still the funniest person in the room," Melissa Rivers said in a statement. "It's incredibly moving to see so many iconic comedians come together to celebrate her legacy, especially the women whose careers she helped make possible by breaking down so many doors."
Aubrey Plaza has been keeping a low profiile since the death of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena, who died earlier this year at the age of 47.
https://youtu.be/Jzr6pHIZAI0?si=SbrUJUKdXjrUUgAb
Plaza made her first public appearance since Baena's death on Feb. 16 when "Saturday Night Live" celebrated turning 50 that weekend. The Wilmington actor Plaza once interned for "SNL,'' served as a page for NBC and also hosted the show in 2023.
Plaza, who stars in Marvel's "Agatha All Along,'' also appeared in previously recorded Super Bowl commercial for Ritz crackers.
The award-winning actress has several films due out later this year including Ethan Coen's "Honey, Don't,'' and Zach Woods' "The Accompanist,'' starring Susan Sarandon.
You can watch the Joan Rivers tribute on NBC on May 13 at 10 p.m. EST, and subscribers also will be able to stream an 'extended and uncensored version' of the special on Peacock on May 14. The longer version will include more artists to be announced.
And on June 5, an encore presentation of the original special will air on E!
You can learn more by visiting nbc.com/nbc-insider/everything-to-know-about-nbc-joan-rivers-special-tribute.
Delaware and Hollywood: What movies & TV shows were made in Delaware?
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, seek help from a professional and call 988. The United States' first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline988 will connect callers with trained mental health counselors. Text 'HOME' to 741741 in the U.S. and Canada to reach the Crisis Text Line.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How to watch 'Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute,' Aubrey Plaza
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