photo credit: joepike.wordpress.com
There was a time when I couldn’t stand listening to a woman named Joan Rivers. It seemed all I took away from her discourse with talk show hosts was her constant need for cosmetic surgery. I found her comedic material rather irreverent, typically invading private spaces by addressing issues that are better left unsaid.
Then one day last week I watched her documentary, “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.” I realized that the woman has a method to her madness. By venturing to a place where angels fear to tread, paying her dues in a predominantly male industry, history has given her the standing ovation she deserves. Undoubtedly, Joan is the female forerunner in stand-up comedy, blazing the trail for the comediannes after her.
The film starts with an un-made up Joan revealing to the world what she looks like after her multitude of cosmetic surgeries. In seconds her face is transformed into the public face we have grown familiar with. The documentary was produced when she was 75 years old, making the 70’s the new 40’s.
Throughout the film, what became obvious was her indefatigable nature, her penchant for material beauty, and her tireless effort to work so that she can live in the upscale lifestyle of her choice. She was willing to perform even in Class C places rather than have an empty schedule in her calendar. The pleasant surprise: her extreme loyalty to the people around her specially those who brought her to where she is today, at the top of her game.
Joan’s documentary is brutally honest and totally revealing. It explains why she is the success she has been. The Joan Rivers work ethic is a shining example to anyone whose passion is to win regardless of the odds, never mind the tough hard work that comes with the territory.
