NYC: One-Of-A-Kind Joan Rivers' "Rainbow Coat" To Be Auctioned At 'Night At The Pier' Gala

PEOPLE reports that a one-of-a-kind rainbow coat, designed by Broadway costume designer William Ivey Long and originally worn by Joan Rivers at a Las Vegas Pride event, has been donated to the Family Equality Council to be included in their upcoming auction.

"My mother loved, respected and celebrated families of all kinds," Melissa, 48, said in a press release for the auction, which will take place May 9 at the Night at the Pier gala at Pier 60 in New York City.

"She would be thrilled to know that her coat, which celebrates diversity, is being sold to benefit loving families," added Melissa.

"Joan Rivers was a celebrity pioneer in her unbridled support of the LGBT community," said Ian Patrick, Deputy Director of Events at Family Equality Council. "We are honored to offer this precious piece of her legacy to support our work to secure a rightful place for LGBTQ-headed families in America."

The coat, which Joan originally wore at the Las Vegas Pride Parade in 2012, is a glittery gold gown adorned with a ruffled-neckline, and opens up to reveal a sparkly rainbow lining.

It was designed by Broadway costume designer William Ivey Long at Joan's request and will be available for bidding at the auction itself as well as online ahead of time.

Melissa Rivers: Kathy Griffin "Kind Of Shit All Over" Joan Rivers' Legacy

In a very long interview with Hoda Kotb, Melissa shares her belief that Griffin, “kind of shit all over [Joan Rivers's] legacy”.

“It was a very, very difficult time, I had a lot of conversations with everybody involved … It really shows that we were a family. We went back too fast, and when the matriarch died the sisters started fighting. It was extremely frustrating as I had to keep my eye on the franchise and the legacy of it and not get involved in the personal.”

“I felt like ‘Fashion Police’ was this little jewel, and it was the last piece I had of my mother and I working together. I felt like all these people were so out of control including the one who made the allegations of racism. They took the last thing I had and smashed it,” she said. “I felt like I was Humpty Dumpty and I was on my knees gluing it back together. It never would have happened if [Joan] was alive,” she said.

The quote on Kathy Griffin comes at the 21:21 mark. The chat moves to Fashion Police in general at the 16:45 mark.

Kathy Griffin Exits Fashion Police After Seven Episodes

Joan Rivers and Kathy Griffin

"After 7 episodes of 'Fashion Police,' I discovered that my style does not fit with the creative direction of the show & now it's time to move on."

"I wish E! and the E! team only the best and I hope to continue to make you all laugh performing live or on television where I can be smart, irreverent, unrepentant and unafraid in an observational way that is candid, honest and justified. Thank you to my fans for taking this ride with me."

"When I chose to step into the shoes of my beloved friend Joan Rivers at 'Fashion Police,' I was thrilled to continue her legacy as a woman being brash and eccentric on television."

"I am a freedom-loving female and gay rights activist who loves to find the funny in all people, attitudes, beliefs, and appearances, but only when the context permits intelligent humor. I thought that I could bring my brand of humor to 'Fashion Police' so that beautiful people in beautiful dresses could be teased when appropriate."

- Kathy Griffin via Twitter

The Late Joan Rivers Featured On Tonight's "Celebrity Apprentice"

In what may be her last TV appearance (taped last Spring in New York City), the late Joan Rivers will arrive in the Boardroom of Celebrity Apprentice tonight as an adviser to Donald Trump.

Fans will remember she won Season 8 of the game show.

Trump told ET at the Winter Television Critics Association tour:

"Throughout history that's always been a tough decision what do you do,” Trump said of Rivers' death, “and she was so good we decided we'd leave it. She was incredible and very inspirational, so it's in memoriam to Joan Rivers.”

"It was her in her prime, and I think people are going to get a great kick out of watching," he told ET. "And I’m sure she’s going to be looking down and very proud of it."

The show airs on NBC tonight at 8pm ET.

Joan Rivers Names AIDS Charity God's Love We Deliver In Will

The late Joan Rivers' will was read in open court this past week where it was disclosed that her only daughter, Melissa, will oversee the estimated $150 million fortune left behind by the comedy legend.

The will named several beneficiaries of the will including daughter Melissa, grandson Edgar Cooper Endicott and her sister Barbara's children Caroline and Andrew Waxler.

From the Daily Mail:

The late comedian's will was filed in New York State Surrogate's Court on Tuesday and reveals she named her daughter as executor of the trust with 'the broadest and most absolute permissible direction to delegate the fortune to family, friends and charities. Rivers' business manager Michael D Karlin and interior designer Robert Higdon were named co-executors of the living trust.

Money will also be given to Rivers' assistants Jocelyn Pickett and Sabrina Lott Miller, and her former publicist Scott Currie.

In addition to leaving funds for her family and business associates, Rivers also left donations for several charities including the AIDS service provider God's Love We Deliver, which provides meals for those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Rivers sadly passed away on September 4th of this year due to a lack of oxygen to her brain during an outpatient procedure.  During the reading of the will this week, there was apparently a passing mention of a potential lawsuit against the clinic that performed the procedure.

Kathy Griffin To Fill Joan Rivers Vacancy On E!'s Fashion Police

Kathy Griffin

It's has been officially announced that Kathy Griffin, the proud, self-proclaimed D-lister, will fill the hosting vacancy left by the departed Joan Rivers on E!'s Fashion Police.

From US Weekly:

Griffin, 54, will begin her new stint on E!'s funny style critiquing program when Fashion Police returns in early 2015. Joining Griffin on the show is another former Bravo-lebrity, who replaces the outgoing co-host George Kotsiopoulos: Brad Goreski, who catapulted to fame as Rachel Zoe's assistant on The Rachel Zoe Project and later, his own spinoff, It's a Brad, Brad World, will fill the final seat.

The two will join Fashion Police veterans Giuliana Rancic and Kelly Osbourne on the series, which will no longer air on a weekly basis. Instead, Fashion Police will only air 17 episodes throughout 2015, coinciding with the biggest fashion-focused events of the year including the Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and more.

Kathy Griffin Confirms Offer From Fashion Police After Passing of Joan Rivers

Kathy Griffin has confirmed with Access Hollywood that she was, indeed, contacted about filling the vacant host spot at Fashion Police after the passing of comedy legend Joan Rivers:

"They did offer it to me. I don't know if the situation is correct at this time for me or right for me at this time," she said.

Regardless of who they pick for Joan's spot, Kathy hopes they keep Joan's biting comedy style on the E! series.

"I really hope they continue in the spirit of Joan's work," she told Access. "She brought a fearlessness and a brand of humor into our homes that we really need. Somebody's gotta be out there poking fun at the ridiculousness of all of this!"

News Round-up: October 16, 2014

Billy Porter authors new off-Broadway play to strong reviews

Some stories you may have missed:

• Tony Award winner Billy Porter (Kinky Boots) debuts first play off-Broadway to strong reviews

• Shia LaBeouf says he was arrested at Broadway's Cabaret because he couldn't stop himself from grabbing star Alan Cumming's ass saying "He's the sexiest man I've ever seen"

• The Vatican calls for the Catholic Church to welcome and accept gays

• Stephen Sondheim says he's working on a new musical based on two surrealist films by late Spanish director Luis Buñuel

• Out pro soccer player Robbie Rogers get sitcom based on his life green-lit by ABC

• HBO announced plans to allow streaming video subscriptions to the network in 2015 via internet without cable or satellite service

• New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner released the findings of it's report concluding Joan Rivers died due to brain damage from to lack of oxygen.

• After going public with his Alzheimer’s diagnosis a few years ago, Glen Campbell has released his last single, "I'm Not Gonna Miss You"

Joan Rivers death allegedly caused by medical mistake

Word is spreading fast that Joan Rivers' death was allegedly caused by an unplanned biopsy during Rivers' outpatient procedure:

During Rivers' planned endoscopy ... doctors discovered something on her vocal cords and her doctor decided he would biopsy it ... this according to the NY Daily News.

During the biopsy Rivers' vocal cords reportedly seized -- slammed shut -- cutting off her air supply. Sources tell TMZ while they were trying to resuscitate her, her heart stopped.

Medical experts told the Daily News ... the biopsy was too risky for outpatient surgery and should have been performed in a hospital.

Rivers never recovered and died a few days later.

(via TMZ)

Broadway reverses earlier decision - WILL dim theater marquees in honor of Joan Rivers

The Broadway League has reversed it's earlier decision and will indeed dim the lights of Broadway marquees tonight in honor of Joan Rivers.

"Joan Rivers loved Broadway and we loved her. Due to the outpouring of love and respect for Joan Rivers from our community and from her friends and fans worldwide, the marquees of Broadway theaters in New York will be dimmed in her memory tonight, at exactly 6:45pm for one minute."

The new decision comes after outcry in the theater community in response to The Leauge's original announcement that "people need to have been very active recently in the theater, or else be synonymous with Broadway" for marquees to be dimmed.

Before The Broadway League's official reversal, Jordan Roth's Jujamcyn Theaters and Disney Theatricals had announced plans to dim their marquees this evening.

(source)

Order of service for the Joan Rivers funeral

My friend Dan Glosser, who was a long-time friend of Joan Rivers, shared these pics of the order of service for Joan Rivers' funeral today.

This isn't something I'd normally post, but the world is mourning. And since her friend felt comfortable sharing, I'm taking my cue there.

According to reports, while private - the service was a star-studded affair.

Good for Joan.

She deserved it all, and more.

Check out the report by CNN from the funeral service:

Cher on the loss of Joan Rivers

I’m Proud of This,but Loss,is Crazy 😥She’s supposed 2 on Stage,or making me howl on QVC.She gave me 5 Bracelets I 💖‘d pic.twitter.com/BRaQxXL2mz
— Cher (@cher) September 5, 2014

Translating the Twitter-ese, I believe what the Cher inferred was: "I'm proud of this, but loss is crazy. She's supposed to be on stage or making me howl on QVC. She gave me 5 bracelets I loved."

Click on the picture to read what Joan had to say about Cher in 1988.

Joan Rivers reportedly on life support

According to TMZ Joan Rivers is now on life support requiring the use of machines to stay alive:

According to our sources, the family will have to decide in the next couple of days whether to keep the 81-year-old on life support. We're told the family remains hopeful that if they do decide to turn off the machines, she will make a turn for the better and fight through it.

Rivers was rushed to the hospital after she stopped breathing during throat surgery on Thursday.

Celebs from all walks sent best thoughts out onto the Twitterverse:

I’m thinking about you, @Joan_Rivers, and sending lots of love your way.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 28, 2014

JUST HEARD ABOUT JOAN😥 My heart will break 💔 I’m still betting on her 🙏
— Cher (@cher) August 30, 2014

To my dear friend @Joan_Rivers - I have known you forever. I wish you nothing but the best in this struggling time. Go get 'em girl.
— Larry King (@kingsthings) August 28, 2014

hey u - miss @Joan_Rivers - this show ain't over - GET WELL NOW !
— Rosie (@Rosie) August 29, 2014

Dear @Joan_Rivers, Got your flowers. I DO owe you another dinner. Get well my friend. pic.twitter.com/PaEEFRN1sj
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) August 28, 2014

Joan Rivers in medically induced coma, resting comfortably

According to reports, Joan Rivers is resting comfortably in a medically induced coma after a near-fatal incident at an Upper East Side clinic where the comic superstar suffered respiratory failure.

Rivers was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where her daughter Melissa is by her side:

Her daughter, Melissa Rivers, dashed from LA to New York and arrived at the hospital at around 8pm and was ushered to the 11th floor luxury room in which her mother is now said by doctors to be in a stable condition.

She released a statement thanking everyone for their messages of support and gave a brief update on her mother's condition.

'I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming love and support for my mother,' Melissa Rivers said in a statement.

'She is resting comfortably and is with our family. We ask that you continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.'

Joan Rivers in critical condition after outpatient surgery

According to reports, Joan Rivers stopped breathing during an outpatient surgical procedure on her vocal chords.  She was immediately rushed to a NYC hospital.

From TMZ:

Joan Rivers was rushed to a hospital in New York City moments ago ... after she stopped breathing during a surgery on her throat ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Rivers was undergoing the throat procedure in a clinic (specifically on her vocal chords) ... when she stopped breathing during the surgery.

Sources say 81-year-old Rivers was rushed to Mount Sinai hospital in New York.

We're told ... at one point, Joan's heart stopped beating.

It's unclear if doctors were able to restart the comic's heart.

UPDATE: AFP reports that Rivers' condition is "stable." Good news. Stay tuned.

via Chexy Decimal

News Round-up: July 9, 2014

Stories you may have missed along the way...

• Who wants to hang out with hunky Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims at Provincetown's Bear Week?  (Me! Me!  Pick me!)

• Joan Rivers says calling First Lady Michelle Obama a "tranny" was a compliment

• Make sure your smart phone is charged if you want to fly into the USA from another country

• After two unsuccessful tries, a Pennsylvania county clerk may head to US Supreme Court to stop marriage equality in her state.  

• Same-sex marriage could bring as much as $47 million to the Arizona economy. Cha-Ching!

• Police obtain warrant to photograph seventeen year-old's erect penis

David Letterman walks out on Joan Rivers interview

After bringing up Joan Rivers' short interview with Fredricka Whitfield on CNN where she stormed off the set, David Letterman followed suit last night by taking off his jacket and leaving the diva alone to interview herself: "How's your sex life, you old bitch?"

Joan Rivers storms out of CNN interview

Comedienne Joan Rivers sat down with Fredricka Whitfield to discuss her new book, but stormed out before it was over.

Earlier this week, Rivers surprisingly called First Lady Michelle Obama a "tranny" and President Obama our first gay president.

I love me some Joan Rivers, but I'm not sure if this erratic behavior is about some underlying issue or if she's going for the shock value in these moments to get more publicity for her new book Diary of a Mad Diva, which she's currently promoting.

Joan Rivers: Obama is gay and Michelle is transgender

Off-the-cuff comments made by Joan Rivers earlier this week are making the rounds today.

A reporter asked Joan if America would see it's first gay or woman president first. These were Joan's thoughts on the subject:

"We already have that with Obama," Rivers responded, before turning and offering an unsolicited remark about the First Lady.

"You know Michelle is a tranny... A transgender. We all know. It's okay."

As the Advocate points out, it's unusual that Rivers, an openly liberal comedian, would poke fun at a Dem president, but also odd that she would make a joke about a "tranny" knowing what a huge fan base she has in the LGBT community.  Just a bit off-base.

You can watch the brief exchange below (via Advocate).

Joan Rivers officiates impromptu same-sex marriage at NYC book signing

Joan Rivers marries Joe Aiello and Jed Ryan at NYC book signing

A couple of Joan Rivers fans decided "you don't get if you don't ask" at the comedian/author's book signing of Diary of a Mad Diva at Barnes & Noble.  From ET:

Rivers, 81, was taking questions from her fans when Jed Ryan and Joe Aiello, a couple of three years, raised their hands and ask if the comic – who is an ordained minister capable of officiating weddings - would marry them right then and there.

It was a no-brainer for Rivers who quickly got them up on stage, had them hold hands, and then came up with some funny and touching vows on the spot.

"While we were waiting, we were reading the book," Aiello told ET. "She mentioned being an ordained minister, and I jokingly asked [Ryan], 'Do you think it's true? Maybe she'll marry us.' And he goes, 'Ask her.' So I did. I don't think he really thought I would, and neither one of us thought she'd say yes!"

Jed Ryan is an LGBT activist who appeared as a guest several times on during my time as co-host of The Candi & Randy Show. Great guy, and wishing rainbow wishes to the happy couple!

Check out the short but sweet ceremony below: