More than a decade after her death, NBC will air the star-studded special Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute on May 13 at 10pm ET/PT, with an “extended and uncensored version” of the show to stream May 14 on Peacock.
Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute was taped in November during the opening night of the 2024 New York Comedy Festival at the famed Apollo Theater. Rivers’ daughter Melissa wrote on Instagram: “I cannot wait for you to see this labor of love come to life as me and some of your favorite celebs celebrate the life of comedy legend, my mother, the one and only @joanrivers. Tune in May 13th when Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute airs on @NBC and streams on @Peacock.”
Per Deadline, the special will see today’s comedians putting their own topical spin on Rivers’ legendary cabinet of jokes. The special features appearances, musical bits and stand-up comedy from the likes of Rachel Brosnahan, Margaret Cho, Nikki Glaser, Tiffany Haddish, Chelsea Handler, Neil Patrick Harris, Bill Maher, Howie Mandel, Joel McHale, Tracy Morgan, Patton Oswalt, Aubrey Plaza, Sarah Silverman, Melissa Rivers, Jean Smart and Rita Wilson.
The late Joan said in a letter she left for daughter Melissa Rivers: “Given that I’m dead, I assume someone will finally decide to honor me. Well, it’s about time.” Melissa added in a statement: “This tribute is everything my mother would have wanted — hilarious, unfiltered and filled with people she respected (and roasted). And as usual, she was still the funniest person in the room. It’s incredibly moving to see so many iconic comedians come together to celebrate her legacy, especially the women whose careers she helped make possible by breaking down so many doors. I know she’d be thrilled to see how far things have come, and she’d still have notes. This is more than a tribute. It’s a reminder of the trail she blazed and the joy she brought to so many.”
The tribute special was executive produced by Melissa Rivers, Chris Convy, Erich Bergen and David Jammy, will benefit the charity God’s Love We Deliver, for which Rivers served on the Board of Directors. Watch a teaser – HERE.
Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com