Entertainment

Melissa Rivers Returns to TV for Tribute to Joan

by Kadeen Griffiths

It has been two weeks since comedy legend Joan Rivers passed away at the age of 81 and we've heard a lot of talk about her. People who worked with her or were inspired by her gave their tributes and there seems to be a new story in the headlines every day about the clinic where she was receiving the procedure that would lead to the medical complication that took her life. Rumors like Rivers' personal doctor taking a selfie with her unconscious body have kept us all so distracted that we didn't notice the silence from the most important voice of all until it was broken. Rivers' daughter Melissa Rivers thanked fans for their support in the wake of her mother's passing and is also planning to make her first television appearance following her mother's death, though not for the reason you might think.

The message that Melissa posted went up on Rivers' official Facebook page and was incredibly touching. "As my son Cooper and I mourn the loss of my mother, we want to thank everyone for the beautiful cards and flowers conveying heartfelt messages and condolences, which continue to arrive from around the world and through social media," said Melissa, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "We are forever grateful for your kindness and support in continuing to honor my mother’s legacy, and for remembering the joy and laughter that she brought to so many."

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Although Melissa announced to the public that Rivers had passed away and performed a eulogy at Rivers' funeral, she has since remained silent on the subject of her mother as she and her son, Cooper, go through their mourning period. However, her return to television will come in the form of an E! Network tribute to her mother called Joan Day on Friday, September 19. According to The Wrap, the day-long event will include a Fashion Police marathon and a 90 minute tribute special starring Kelly Osbourne, Giuliana Rancic, George Kotsiopoulos, and, of course, Melissa Rivers herself.

There will even be "a variety of behind-the-scenes and never-before-seen clips of Joan Rivers, as well as personal stories from her daughter and former Fashion Police co-hosts". It's incredibly sweet of Melissa to participate in this E! Network tribute to her mother and it certainly gives the whole thing a personal touch that it would have been lacking had Rivers' family not been involved with the hosting and producing of it. In a way, I'm sure it's also helping Melissa herself to heal by celebrating something that was so important to her mother on the network that was her home for so many years.

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