Melissa Rivers Brings Together Comedy Legends to Celebrate Her Mom, Joan – Just Don’t Call It a Roast!

Joan Rivers’ Tribute Special

Contrary to what some might believe, the gold urn seen in promotional images for the upcoming special, Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute, is not the actual urn containing Joan Rivers’ ashes. In anticipation of the tribute airing on May 13 on NBC, Melissa Rivers joined a star-studded cast of comedians and actors for a photo op with the urn, sparking a few playful moments. Nikki Glaser pretended to drop it while Rachel Brosnahan faux-poured a martini into it, and Tiffany Haddish balanced it on one hand.

Addressing the whimsical atmosphere during the photo shoot, Melissa remarked to Yahoo Entertainment, “That’s not the real urn,” as if the suggestion was absurd, despite the fact that Joan’s genuine ashes were famously sent around the globe after her passing in 2014.

The Creative Vision Behind the Urn

Melissa, who served as a producer for the special, shared her initial idea for a greenroom segment, which she amusingly called “urn point of view.” The concept revolved around placing a GoPro camera in the urn to humorously critique attendees based on their outfits—a humorous angle she admits did not gain traction.

A Miraculous Gathering of Comedians

The televised tribute became a reality under remarkable circumstances, as shared by Melissa Rivers on her podcast, Melissa Rivers’ Group Text Podcast. Taped in a single night at the Apollo Theater during the New York Comedy Festival in November 2024, the line-up was impressive, featuring renowned artists like Chelsea Handler, Aubrey Plaza, Joel McHale, Jeff Ross, Sarah Silverman, Margaret Cho, and Tracy Morgan. Coordinating their participation amidst their busy schedules proved challenging, yet the lineup exemplified a unified tribute for a beloved figure in comedy.

Melissa noted, “What was amazing was how many people found a way to get there, even if it meant staying somewhere, flying in from somewhere or flying out to somewhere.” She emphasized the significance of the gathering as a “meant to be” event and expressed pride in the hard work put into the tribute.

Celebration Over Roast

Despite the title and the playful urn photo shoot, Melissa clarified, “It’s not a roast; it’s a celebration.” Whispers of humor about Joan do run throughout the special, reflecting the essence of her comedic spirit.

Nikki Glaser, having rapidly ascended in the comedy scene, expressed excitement about participating in the tribute, having been a long-time admirer of Joan’s work. Melissa shared her opinion about Glaser’s comedic style, suggesting that Joan would have appreciated it, noting their similar timing and delivery.

Joan Rivers in Today’s Comedy Climate

As the world grapples with the implications of cancel culture, speculation arises about how Joan Rivers, known for her sharp wit, would have navigated this new landscape. Melissa believes Joan would have tackled the topic head-on, asserting, “I think she would have found a way to make fun of cancel culture… Just like Dave Chappelle.” She expressed hope that Joan would have enjoyed a similar acceptance as contemporary comedians.

Continuing Joan’s Legacy

In managing her mother’s remarkable legacy, Melissa has initiated several projects. This summer, the National Comedy Center will debut an exhibition dedicated to Joan Rivers, showcasing her extensive archive of jokes. Initially, there were plans for a limited TV series featuring Kathryn Hahn, but while that has not materialized, there are ongoing discussions about a potential biopic about Joan.

Melissa said of the biopic, “We’ve had a movie in development with Sony for quite a while,” tracing the conversations back to the end of the pandemic. While the writing process faced interruptions due to the Hollywood writers’ strike, she is optimistic about regaining momentum on this project.

Personal Life and Resilience

This year has been tumultuous for Melissa, marked by personal loss in the catastrophic Palisades Fire. In January, she lost not only her home but also the ashes of her mother and father, Edgar Rosenberg, to the flames. Reflecting on this, Melissa said, “Unfortunately, no, the ashes did not survive. I just didn’t think to grab them.”

The fire prompted her to evacuate quickly, and in the aftermath, Melissa relocated five times in just 11 weeks. Now residing in a rental in Los Angeles, she contemplates the possibility of rebuilding while maintaining a cautious approach. “I’m not letting go of my lot, but I’m trying to stay very disciplined in our thinking because, honestly, nobody knows how anything is going to go,” she explained.

Wedded Bliss Amidst Adversity

In a turn towards joy, Melissa married attorney Steve Mitchel in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, just two months post-fire. Though there was discussion about postponing the wedding due to the recent tragedies, encouragement from friends, some of whom also lost homes in the fires, helped solidify their decision to proceed.

Describing the event as “very nontraditional,” Melissa expressed that her vision was to create a joyful gathering where a wedding could seamlessly occur, saying, “I want to have a party where a wedding breaks out, and that is what we did.” Melissa’s vows reflected her unconventional approach, opting to focus on commitments she felt comfortable making.

The Importance of Forward Momentum

During these challenging times, Melissa emphasizes the significance of maintaining a sense of forward momentum. “I don’t necessarily stay positive; I stay in forward momentum,” she conveyed, reflecting on her mother’s wisdom regarding processing emotions. “You get a weekend wallow… then you get up and start moving forward,” she recapped, a philosophy that she draws from personal experiences of loss and resilience.

She further articulated that this forward motion doesn’t mean ignoring challenges—rather, it’s about acknowledging difficult days while striving to rebuild and create a brighter future for herself and her son, Cooper, who also faced loss from the fire and is embarking on his own journey of recovery.

Upcoming Tribute Special

Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute airs May 13 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. The uncensored version will be available for streaming on May 14 on Peacock.