Joan Rivers on her Contemporaries
Clip: Season 1 | 1m 47s
Rivers and her cohort were the 1st generation of American-born comedians.
Joan Rivers describes her contemporaries and herself as the first generation of American-born comedians. She speaks of their unique voices and inimitable styles, including the likes of George Carlin, Woody Allen, and Bill Cosby. Attributing much of her generation’s inspirations to the work of comedian Lenny Bruce, Rivers also traces back her and her peers’ comedic lineage.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Joan Rivers on her Contemporaries
Clip: Season 1 | 1m 47s
Joan Rivers describes her contemporaries and herself as the first generation of American-born comedians. She speaks of their unique voices and inimitable styles, including the likes of George Carlin, Woody Allen, and Bill Cosby. Attributing much of her generation’s inspirations to the work of comedian Lenny Bruce, Rivers also traces back her and her peers’ comedic lineage.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Make Em Laugh
Make Em Laugh is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Rivers recalls her experiences as a member of The Second City improvisational comedy team. (2m 2s)
Now PlayingJoan Rivers on her Contemporaries
Rivers and her cohort were the 1st generation of American-born comedians. (1m 47s)
Joan Rivers on Comedic Success
Joan Rivers outlines a guide to success in the entertainment industry in the late 1960’s. (1m 29s)
Joan recounts a tepid audience response to her more taboo material. (1m 25s)
Rivers began her career in a period when female performers were given rigid expectations. (1m 26s)
Joan Rivers' Early Inspiration
Comedian Joan Rivers recalls her early inspirations towards comedy. (55s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Support for PBS provided by: