Joan Rivers Ariel Castro joke: Rivers Refuses To Make Apology

Joan Rivers Ariel Castro joke: Funny Woman Joan Rivers Sparks Controversy by Joke Alluding to Ariel Castro

Comedienne Joan Rivers, age 80, is known for her penchant humor and ability to invoke comparisons of people and situations to current events which would otherwise be offensive if coming from anyone but her. During her appearance on the reality TV

Celebrity Apprentice in 2009, which she ended up winning, she famously phones a friend for assistance during a challenge. Her friend, who she knew to be attending a eulogy for a friend, commented that the request would have offended him if it had come from anyone but her.

Apparently, even Mrs. Rivers has a limit though. During a segment of her online talk show called “In Bed with Joan”, she commented on the guest room she stayed at in her daughter Melissa’s home. Apparently, the room size was quite small because Rivers said the women in the Cleveland basement had more living space. It was a reference to the three captive females who had been abducted by sexual predator Ariel Castro from 2002 to 2004. The women, Gina DeJesus, Michelle Knight, and Amanda Berry, were held captive until 2013 when one of them escaped the basement prison and sought help.

The joke brought a stern rebuke from both Berry and Knight who called the reference to the living space of their basement prison hurtful. They demanded an apology from Rivers.

“We understand that Ms. Rivers is a comedienne; however, the idea that a celebrity would say something this hurtful, on national television no less, is beyond shocking and disappointing,” they said in a statement. “Our clients are strong, private women who have endured unwanted and often painful media attention for quite some time. They now have to endure this, which is a new low, and we believe a sincere apology is warranted.”

It turns out the funny lady was just getting warmed up with her comments because she fired back saying that the women need to cease stirring up controversy. She added that after all, they did enjoy nearly a decade rent free. Ouch!

“I’m a comedienne,’’ she said. “I know what those girls went through. It was a little, stupid joke. There is nothing to apologise for. I made a joke. That’s what I do. Calm down. Calm f****ng down. I’m a comedienne. They’re free, so let’s move on.’’

Rivers later noted that one of the victims has profited from a book deal, and neither of them are sectioned in a psyche ward. Rivers added that within a few years’ time, we’ll see one of them compete on the reality TV competition “Dancing with the Stars”.

Source:

Joan Rivers Ariel Castro joke
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/joan-rivers-offensive-joke-about-ariel-castros-victims-michelle-knight-amanda-berry-and-gina-dejesus/story-e6frfmq9-1226894644293

Joan Rivers Ariel Castro joke
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2014/04/25/joan-rivers-wont-apologize-for-stupid-joke-about-ariel-castros-kidnapping-victims/

Joan Rivers Ariel Castro joke: Joan Rivers’ joke a ‘new low’ says Ariel Castro victims
http://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/2014/04/24/8086731/

Joan Rivers’ offensive joke about Ariel Castro’s victims Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/joan-rivers-offensive-joke-about-ariel-castros-victims-michelle-knight-amanda-berry-and-gina-dejesus/story-fni0b7je-1226894644293

Joan Rivers refuses to apologise about joke over Ariel Castro victims: ‘They got to live rent free for more than a decade’
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/joan-rivers-refuses-to-apologise-about-joke-over-ariel-castro-victims-they-got-to-live-rent-free-for-more-than-a-decade-9286472.html