Access all your favorite blogs from myajc! Home > Channel Serf > Archives > 2007 > January > 12 > Entry
Breakfast with Joan & Melissa
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The TV Guide Channel publicists shepherded three of us print schlubs for coffee Friday morning with Melissa and Joan Rivers to talk about awards season. Proud recipients of plastic surgery, both look a bit tight in the face but it’s not offputting because as journalists, we enjoy outspoken people and these two don’t mince words.
And since I’m not the fashion guy by any stretch of the imagination, we meandered through other topics.
I first asked Joan, after she popped a peppermint Altoid in her mouth, about the recent decision by the Globes and the Oscars to stop giving swag bags to presenters after the IRS cracked down on paying taxes for the freebies, often worth thousands of dollars, from vacation vouchers to designer handbags.
“I think the idea they give you gifts and have to pay taxes is insane,” Joan said. “Let the government not worry so much about us and go after the guys getting $82 million bonuses. Don’t worry somebody got a free watch.”
Will this affect presenters? “The presenters won’t be so generous next Christmas,” Rivers said, referencing the common act of “regifting.” And as correspondents on the red carpet, she said she has gotten the “leftovers” or the cheaper gift bags.
“Sometimes you get some drunk star that leaves their swag and I grab it!” Rivers said. “Oh, look! I got an Omega!” Her favorite swag? A pricey Chopard watch. How much is it worth? “I’ll let you know when I put it on eBay,” she cracked.
Then she dished: “Dinah Shore, may she rest in peace, used to give you gifts in Saks boxes that didn’t come from Saks. You have to give someone a gift they can return.”
But Joan has no compunction about regifting. Her only caveat: “I always make sure my initals are not on it so they think it’s new.”
Another scribe asked Melissa and Joan, “What’s your favorite awards show?”
Melissa said, “The Golden Globes. It’s a big party and it’s TV and movies together.”
“Even though it’s fake?” the reporter asked. (I’m guessing he’s implying some voting members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association harbor dubious qualifications.)
“Fake? Like the business isn’t?” Joan scoffed.
“So are my boobs. And it doesn’t bother any of my dates!” Melissa cracked.
Joan noted that “The Grammy’s are fabulous. A lot of them are there the first time. They’re so excited. My grandma knows I’m here!”
Is Joan forced to listen to the CDs of the likes of past nominees such as 50 Cent or Eminem?
“They send them to me. But my elevator man loves me. I give them away so fast!”
And we couldn’t leave Joan without her ragging on a big star. In this case, it was comic actor Will Ferrell. She said she was interviewing live on camera director Mike Nichols (“Closer,” “The Birdcage”) on the red carpet at one awards show and Ferrell came right up and started talking to Nichols, ignoring Joan. She called him on it right then and there.
“He may dress as an elf but he’s not stupid,” she said. “He’s on my baaad list.” Pause. “Unless he gives me an interview. Then God love him!”
Permalink | |
