The Day I Met Joan Rivers [CJ’S STORY]

It started with a phone call, 'How do you think Joan Rivers would do at the Heymann Center'?  I thought it would be a sell out and the promoter said, 'Then we'll do the show'.

The show was booked with all the profits going to a fundraiser and KTDY was given presenting status.  We did everything we could to promote the show, but tickets just simply did not sell.  I was devastated, I was wrong about this one.

The day of the show, the limo went to New Orleans to pick up our star, the fabulous legendary Joan Rivers.  The limo driver told us that as soon as she got in the car, she wanted a cup of coffee and she needed to get a quick manicure.  Upon leaving New Orleans International Airport, they spotted a Starbucks and picked up coffee.  They also spotted an Asian nail salon and popped in for Rivers to get a manicure.  When her nails were done, she bought everyone in the salon a manicure.  They continued on to Lafayette.

When she arrived at the Heymann Performing Arts Center, Shelly Lynn who was KTDY's Promotions Director and part-time air staff member was the first to see Rivers.  Shelly had made sure her dressing room had gardenias floating in water, her favorite.  My son Blake and I arrived later.  We each had a bouquet of flowers for her.

Joan Rivers could not have been more different than she is on television.  She was kind, sweet, courteous and used no vulgar language at all.  I remember her being shorter and smaller than I thought she'd be.  She was energetic and vivacious and very particular about lighting, the orchestra and the couple of times she got frustrated with the crew, she couldn't have been more polite.

Shelly, Blake and I all took pics with her and conversed a bit.  Then it was time for the show.  We took our seats.  When she hit that stage, it was like a switch went on...way on!  The lady that we had spent the better part of the day with, turned into Joan Rivers the say-anything comedian.  Wow!  It was like night and day.

Rivers had to catch a plane immediately after the show.  We said our goodbyes.  She would not leave the Heymann,however, until Shelly promised to make sure the flowers would be delivered to a local hospital.

Having grown up watching Joan Rivers on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, then solo on Fox and a host of other shows and specials, it was truly an honor to see this legend behind the scenes.

I want to express to everyone how sweet and smart this lady was.  And how completely different she was in person than the Joan Rivers on TV.  Also, about her plastic surgery(s), up close (and I gave her a couple of kisses that day), she did NOT look weird or abnormal.  Joan Rivers was 100% a class act and I am terribly saddened by her passing.

My sympathy to Melissa and the family.

Blake And Joan Rivers

The Only Known Pic Of CJ And Joan Rivers

Shelley And Joan Rivers