Joan Rivers vs. 9/11 Benefit Film

fox news ^ | 3/5/02 | Roger Friedman

[frmrda]

The article first discusses a benefit film that was shot two weeks after the 9/11 attacks. Some of the money was going to Arab American charities to help them against "Anti-Arab" violence. The article mentions some of the celebrities who appeared and then got to the relevant part about Joan Rivers.

Joan, you see, was supposed to be one of the celebs to participate in the taping. But on the day before the taping she pulled out, claiming in the New York Post's Page Six that the charities who would benefit from We Are Family were not the ones she was promised.

As it turned out, Rodgers had decided that some of the proceeds would go to teaching about racial discrimination, particularly anti-Arab sentiments. Right after the World Trade Center attacks, several hate crimes were committed against Arab-Americans across the country and Rodgers wanted to do something about that.

Rivers objected, saying she wasn't interested in that problem at that moment. "I'm just in shock. It's a bait and switch, and no one knows it," Rivers told Page Six. "I'm not intolerant toward Arabs or Muslims," Rivers said. "But now is not the time for that. I'm boycotting."

In the movie, though, Rodgers and other celebrities discuss Rivers' decision to pull out of the project. Rivers is cited telling them, "[Expletive] world peace." In so many words.

Rivers, of course, is fuming. She told me last night after attending a cocktail party for Liz Smith's Literacy Partners: "I never said that. I said '[Expletive] the Muslims. [Expletive] terrorism.' I'm furious, and I will contact my attorneys. I will call in [powerhouse entertainment lawyer] Bert Fields if I have to."

[frmrda]

Way to go Joan. Obviously Ms. Rivers doesn't play into that PC feel good crap. I've suddenly found respect for someone in Hollywood.

[Mixer]

Bump and congrats to Joan!!

[UbIwerks]

Way to go Joan. Obviously Ms. Rivers doesn't play into that PC feel good crap. I've suddenly found respect for someone in Hollywood.

I got news for you. Joan Rivers is a Republican. She may have joked that Nancy Reagan is a Stepford wife, but she voted for Reagan anyway.

[sheik yerbouty]

Joan may not seem so, but she campaigned for Reagan in '84,and coined the phrase re: the Dumbocrat ticket as "Fritz and Tits".

[hobbes1]

Hey Joan, That's OK. F**K Whirled Peas Too!

[Issaquahking]

BUMP for Joan Rivers!

[deadrock]

"Fritz and Tits?" 'splain.

[sheik yerbouty]

Walter "fritz" Mondale and geraldine Ferraro. Joan Rivers used the quip during the 1984 Republican convention.

[Lucky2]

Joan is a Forbes republican and a good lady. Joan, you go girl!

[hchutch]

Fritz was a nickname for Mondale. His VP was Geraldine Ferraro.

[RichInOC]

VP Walter Frederick "Fritz" Mondale and Rep. Geraldine Ferraro.

[IncPen]

Fritz and Tits referred to Walter "Fritz" Mondale and Geraldine "Tits" Ferraro.

Reagan defeated them handily, that's why you neverheard of them...

[NativeNewYorker]

BTTT

[Revolting cat!]

"[Expletive] world peace." In so many words. [...] "I never said that."

Oh, Joan, that's quite all right too, let's not be picky! It's the context, it's the sanctimony and it's the do-goodism and the silly race to occupy the moral high ground. Yeah, [Expletive] world peace, we understand!

[pikachu]

"Fritz and Tits?" 'splain.

Fritz Mondale did not have killer pecs. Nor did his 'running mate' Geraldine Ferraro. You often see her cast as the annoying upper class New York Liberal Female when Elenor Clift gets time off.

[dead]

I love Joan. She's one of the few celebrities with balls (figuratively) and brains.

She should marry Jackie Mason.

[Exit148]

Way to go Joanie!! I don't think her show is nationally syndicated (correct me if I'm wrong) but she can be heard, in the NY/NJ/CT area each evening. Actually, I haven't tuned in for awhile, but she is very outspoken about her politics, and minces no words. HeeHee! She is a pleasure to listen to. She doesn't get too deep into any one issue, but she makes it clear what she thinks of the left, and she is great with the catty stuff. LOL!

[Diddle E. Squat]

Are you sure she is a Republican? I hope so, but never before heard confirmation. I loved her radio show(WOR in New York City, though I did find its sometimes raunchiness disappointing), she really skewed the Clintons in the later years. But she was(is?) also all over the place on a number of issues, I got the impression she has kind of an "empathize with everyone" philosophy, and pretty liberal socially. Nonetheless a funny show, a warm and talented lady, who is great on E, too. Maybe its because her personality reminds me of some former girlfriends, but I've always been a huge fan of hers. Could be something about enjoying being around pure talent, just like I could spend hours listening to Rush, Pat O'Brien, or Vin Scully, artful masters of their craft.

[TADSLOS]

Way to go Joan! (but you still owe pennance for "Rabbit Test")

[Tai_Chung]

I still believe Joan Rivers is a big liberal. However, many people re-evaluated what they think is really important after 9-11. It is nice to see that even many liberals feel there is a time and a place for everything and that now is the time to defend The United States and proclaim you are proud to be an American.

Other liberal causes that somehow don't see so important anymore are South Carolina's flag issue, slavery reparations, amnesty for illegals, 3rd-world debt relief, anti-capitalists, and militant environmentalists.