Joan Rivers and her daughter, Melissa, from the TV Guide Channel, blow kisses as they arrive for the 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los AngelesKEVORK DJANSEZIAN/The Associated Press
REMEMBERING JOAN
The daughter of the late Joan Rivers has received an outpouring of condolences in recent weeks – including a handwritten note from U.S. President Barack Obama.
USA Today reports that Melissa Rivers made her first TV appearance since the death of her mother on Sept. 4.
Earlier this week, Rivers taped an appearance on the E! series Fashion Police – sitting in the same chair her mother occupied since the celebrity-style show's launch in 2010.
In the emotionally charged segment (you can watch here), the 46-year-old Rivers sits with FP hosts Kelly Osbourne, Giuliana Rancic and George Kotsiopoulos to reflect on her mother's passing.
"She affected so many people," said Rivers, "and people you would never expect to have humour."
Rivers also shared some surprising news: "I received a letter from the White House, President Obama, someone who was often a target of her jokes, as was Mrs. Obama. But I received a handwritten note saying, 'Not only did she make us laugh, she made us think'."
It's worth noting, of course, that earlier this year Joan Rivers suggested to a reporter that Obama was gay and that the first lady was a "tranny."
But Obama obviously took the insults in stride and Rivers' only child was clearly touched by the commander-in-chief pointing out that her mother remained topical in her comedy stylings until the very end of her life.
"I think that's one of the things that people now are realizing," said Rivers. "It wasn't just the funny. She made us think."
In the same episode, Rancic brushed off the still-unconfirmed speculation that Melissa would take over her mother's caustic commentary duties on Fashion Police.
"They are looking at different scenarios, whether it moves forward or it doesn't," said Rancic. "Melissa … a lot of that will be up to her and how she's feeling and how she decides what she wants to do."
ANTI-SOCIAL MEDIA
Don't hold your breath waiting for Jennifer Garner to sign up for Twitter or Instagram. The actress recently told People magazine that she's seriously hesitant when it comes to any form of social media. "I have an official Facebook page, but I'm not on Twitter or Instagram," said Garner. "One, I don't want any more guilt coming from my phone or computer. I have the hardest time answering e-mails, anyway. … And the other is, what would I Instagram that people would want to see? They don't want to see me and my mom friends after kindergarten drop-off."
Source: People
BACK TOGETHER?
All signs point to Prince Harry having reunited with his former girlfriend Cressida Bonas. The heir to the British throne and the socialite broke up last April, but apparently spent two nights on the town earlier this week. On Tuesday, the good-looking pair took in the movie Sex Tape at a downtown London cinema; one night later, the couple were spotted dancing the night away at a birthday celebration being held at the royal residence of Clarence House. A source told Us Weekly: "Harry is the type to want to take breathers and then try again."
Source: Us Weekly
LIVE FROM NEW YORK!
NBC has tapped former Saturday Night Live regular Darrell Hammond to take over as announcer on the venerable late-night series. Hammond, who served as a cast member from 1995 to 2009, will assume the announcer duties from the late Don Pardo when SNL kicks off its 40th season on Sept. 27. In a NBC statement, Hammond said he was "thrilled and honoured" to be taking over the role.
Source: New York Times
NEVER TOO LATE
Leonard Cohen plans on celebrating his 80th birthday in an unusual manner: by taking up smoking cigarettes again. The Canadian music legend and former chain-smoker quit in his 50s, but told reporters in New York earlier this week that he plans to light up again on his birthday next Sunday. "I'm looking forward to that first smoke," said Cohen. "I've been thinking about that for 30 years. It's one of the few consistent strings of thoughts I've been able to locate."
Source: Global News
NEW WAVE TV
Zach Braff has reteamed with the man who launched his TV career on Scrubs for a new series. "I've been talking about a new idea with Bill Lawrence who created Scrubs," said Braff recently. "I don't know if it will be this year or next." And while Scrubs enjoyed a nine-season run on NBC and ABC, the new show is more likely to air on a different platform: "I like the idea of this new wave that you can do 12 episodes or eight episodes maybe for cable or Netflix or wherever. There are so many more options now. It's an exciting time," said Braff.
Source: The Independent