We continue to remember 81-year-old comedian Joan Rivers this morning, and the words being used to describe her say it all: Vivacious. Lightening bolt. Enduring. So this morning, we remember Rivers in our own words–five of them, to be exact:
1. “Pioneering” – Breaking barriers as a female comedian, first on Carson, then on her own late night talk show–the first woman ever to host one! Something Carson never quite forgave her for that…
2. “Fearless” – She was never afraid to say whatever she wanted about whomever she wanted and whenever she wanted, from the White House to the red carpet, with no apologies.
3. “Global” – Her loss is being felt around the world this morning, with everyone from Whoopi Goldberg to Prince Charles remembering her.
4. “Outrageous” – Like this moment with my colleague Lawrence O’Donnell back in 2011:
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5. “Funny” – She was just funny. She lived to make us laugh, as her daughter Melissa reminded us yesterday–even until the very end, writing in a 2012 book about her own funeral:
the Jose Diaz-Balart staff









