SALON

Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 3:25 PM UTC

Joan Rivers’ F-bomb on British television

After her colorful description of Russell Crowe, the comedian is escorted off the set.

By

Topics: Broadsheet, Love and Sex,

Comedian, yenta and humanoid space being Joan Rivers was whisked off the set of British chat show “Loose Women” Tuesday for responding colorfully to a line of questioning about her experiences interviewing celebrities on the red carpet. Rivers said she enjoyed talking to the stars if they are nice, but like most people, she dislikes conversing with those who are insufferably rude. The controversy arose when she called out mirth-mobile Russell Crowe as “a piece of fucking shit.”

The other ladies on the panel howled with laughter as Rivers expressed her surprise that the program had no delay and thus her very candid observation would be broadcast in its entirety, so that the pensioners and invalids watching at home could hear it, in between slurps of their Bovril and Lucozade! Blimey! (Take that, Jane Fonda!)

I thought the Brits were slightly more enlightened about this stuff — and I assumed, as Rivers did, that they brought her on for a reason and she delivered — but apparently not, as Rivers was immediately escorted out of the studio and presenter Jackie Brambles was forced to make an on-air apology. But there are no hard feelings. In a statement issued later, Rivers said: “Yes, I swore, and I’m so fucking sorry.”

Rachel Shukert

Rachel Shukert is the author of Everything is Going To Be Great and Have You No Shame. Her YA series Starstruck is forthcoming from Random House in the spring of 2013. She lives in New York City. More Rachel Shukert.

Next Article

You Might Also Like

More Related Stories

Featured Slide Shows

Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

close X
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11
  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

  • Recent Slide Shows

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11

Related Videos

More Related Stories

Comments

 6 Comments

Comment Preview

Your name will appear as username ( settings | log out )

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href=""> <b> <em> <strong> <i> <blockquote>

follow salon

Most Read

Popular on Reddit

links from salon.com

From Around the Web

Presented by Scribol
listener_new_rect The Listener: "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves": Growing up primate

Recommendations