Diary of a Mad Diva
Timothy White (Photographer) New York: Berkley Books, 2014. First Edition [Stated], First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. [12], 289, [3] pages. Illustrations. This copy is signed by Joan Rivers on the author's bookplate on the front free end paper. This diary was written to the best of Joan Rivers's memory. As such, some of the events many not be 100 percent...or even 5 percent factually correct. Miss Rivers wrote this diary as a comedic tome, not unlike Saving Private Ryan or The Bell Jar. Miss Rivers does, however, believe that anyone who takes anything in this book seriously is an idiot. And she says if anyone has a problem with that they can feel free to call her lawyer, Clarence Darrow. Joan Rivers is at it again. When her daughter Melissa gives her a diary for Christmas, at first Joan is horrified who the hell does Melissa think she is? That fat pig, Bridget Jones? But as Joan, being both beautiful and introspective, begins to record her day-to-day musings, she realizes she has a lot to say. About everything. And everyone, God help them. This is the Diary of a Mad Diva. For the first time in a century, a diary by someone that's actually worth reading. This book is a no-holds-barred, delightfully vicious, and always hilarious look at the everyday life of the ultimate diva. Follow Joan Rivers on a family vacation in Mexico and on trips between New York and Los Angeles, where she mingles with the stars, never missing a beat as she delivers blistering critiques on current events and excoriating insights about life, pop culture, and celebrities (from A-list to D-list), all in her relentlessly funny, signature style. For the first time in a century, a diary by someone who's actually worth reading--and worth suing. Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014), known professionally as Joan Rivers, was an American comedian, actress, writer, producer, and television host. She was noted for her often controversial comedic persona—heavily self-deprecating and sharply acerbic, especially towards celebrities and politicians. She is considered a pioneer of women in comedy by many critics and journalists. Rivers started her career in comedy clubs in Greenwich Village alongside her peers George Carlin, Woody Allen, and Richard Pryor. She then rose to prominence in 1965 as a guest on The Tonight Show. Hosted by her mentor, Johnny Carson, the show established Rivers' comedic style. In 1986, with her own rival program, The Late Show with Joan Rivers, Rivers became the first woman to host a late night network television talk show. She subsequently hosted The Joan Rivers Show (1989–1993), winning a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host. From the mid-1990s, she became known for her comedic red carpet awards show celebrity interviews. Rivers co-hosted the E! celebrity fashion show Fashion Police from 2010 to 2014 and starred in the reality series Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? (2011–2014) with daughter Melissa Rivers. She was the subject of the documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010). Rivers authored 12 best-selling books and three LP comedy albums under her own name. She was nominated in 1984 for a Grammy Award for her album What Becomes a Semi-Legend Most?; and was nominated in 1994 for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance of the title role in Sally Marr ... and Her Escorts. In 2009, Rivers competed alongside her daughter Melissa on the second season of The Celebrity Apprentice, ultimately winning the season. In 2015, Rivers posthumously received a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for her book, Diary of a Mad Diva. In October 2017, she was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. Derived from a Kirkus review: A Dear Diary–style recounting of the author’s day-to-day professional and personal life. Rivers’ merciless, yearlong skewering of the universe begins Jan. 1 and proceeds through the year. Sparing no one, including herself, the author employs her typically ribald take on the numerous individuals, groups or topics encountered while the author travels from her home in New York to gigs around the country and vacations in Mexico or the Hamptons. A sampling of the real or imagined scenarios Rivers recounts in her trademark style include: Anne Frank’s diary-keeping skills; Barbara Streisand’s looks; dating services; her ideas for new TV shows; Kirstie Alley’s weight; J. Edgar Hoover’s fashion choices. Rivers also includes numerous photos showing her swigging from a bottle of vodka with cigarette and prescription pill bottle in hand; holding up a “will work for food sign”; dressed as a parody of the twerking Miley Cyrus; and decorating a Christmas tree with an Orthodox Jewish friend. It’s all grand fun. Readers who never tire of Rivers and her distinctive take on the world will lap up the newest entree from the octogenarian comedian. Condition: Very good / Very good.
Keywords: Humor, Comedy, Satire, Diva, Melissa Rivers, Hamptons, Mexico, Vacation, Pop Culture
ISBN: 9780425269022
[Book #82292]
Price: $250.00