topic Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke in Community Chat

Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

RibbonsAndBows — Sat, 03 May 2014 15:59:44 GMT

NY Post, May 3, 2014, 1:29 a.m.

Joan Rivers has been thrown overboard by Norwegian Cruise Line for an off-color joke.

Rivers got into hot water last week for a punch line about three women who were held captive in Cleveland by evil Ariel Castro.

She said on “Today,” when she was asked what it’s like living with her daughter, Melissa: “I’m still in the same stupid little room. Those women in the basement in Cleveland had more space.”

Reps for two of the women, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus, demanded an apology, but Rivers refused, saying, “I’m a comedienne .?.?. There is nothing to apologize for. I made a joke. That’s what I do.”

She later reportedly said, “One of them has a book deal. Neither are in a psych ward. They’re OK .?.?. I bet you within three years, one of them will be on ‘Dancing With the Stars.’?”

But as a result of the drama, her summer vacation plans have now been scuttled. Joan and Melissa were booked on a July cruise to Alaska where they’d give lectures on board and travel in style with Melissa’s son, Cooper, 13.

But the cruise line called Rivers Friday to say the ship had already sailed. “Someone from their marketing team called Joan and said they didn’t want her,” said a source. “They said they’re a family-friendly brand.”

When contacted for comment, “Fashion Police” star Rivers told us, “Of course they canceled me! They were terrified what I would say after seeing the size of their cabins. They should be featured on ‘Orange Is the New Black.’ ”

She added of the boat ban, “It’s insane. Why would [the joke] affect anyone in Norway?”

But she figured it was all for the best since “they would have had some very nervous Jews. When I got on board, I would have given the captain a Breathalyzer test. We would have brought our own life jackets, and slept in the lifeboats.”

Rivers told us of the Cleveland comment that if she should apologize to anyone, it would be to Melissa, with whom she stars in a WE tv reality series, “for insulting the size of her guest room.”

Norwegian Cruise Line’s rep didn’t return calls.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

Deb1010again — Sat, 03 May 2014 16:08:39 GMT

Oh my... Norwegian should've known what they're getting when they book Joan Rivers.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

scotttie — Sat, 03 May 2014 16:18:30 GMT

Guess Norwegian didn't think the joke was appropriate either.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

brii — Sat, 03 May 2014 16:20:41 GMT

Why would they book her in the first place? Her act isn't really family material.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

croemer — Sat, 03 May 2014 16:22:55 GMT

I like a good joke and have seen Joan in person and found her very funny and engaging and charming to her audience, but have never cared for mean jokes about something tragic in someones life. Guess Norwegian Cruise line either got enough complaints or does not want to take a chance with Joan... after her remarks. Their Cruise... their right.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

Kalli — Sat, 03 May 2014 16:24:00 GMT

I'm not a fan of JR but I doubt it was meant as anything else but a joke. Having said that, there are lots of things you can no longer poke fun at. Whatever your opinion on this, we all know that's the way things are now and especially those in the public eye need to be careful about their comments.

-Kalli

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

RainCityGirl — Sat, 03 May 2014 16:59:11 GMT

I didn't hear the exact thing that she said, but someone summarized it as a joke about the size of the room they were held in as compared to some other room she was talking about. She didn't say anything insulting about the actual captives, did she? Just asking. To me she is a comedienne, and most comics take liberties with just about any topic. I don't know why anyone would be surprised. Take her or leave her, Joan's life will go on, whether a Norwegian Cruise lines or anyone else likes her or doesn't.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

KathyPet — Sat, 03 May 2014 17:06:58 GMT

Any cruise line that says it's "family friendly" must be crazy to hire Joan to,start with. With her potty mouth and off color humor she hardly should be considered "family friendly"

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

bikerbabe — Sat, 03 May 2014 17:12:38 GMT

I don't think it has anything to do with needing to be ""politically correct"" with public comments in today's society. Her joke could be interpreted as making fun of someone else's pain and suffering. That is always inappropriate.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

scotttie — Sat, 03 May 2014 17:15:57 GMT

Eventually, especially in todays climate, her brand of "humor" may continue to hit her in her pocketbook. THAT she will care about.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

Gidge — Sat, 03 May 2014 17:29:58 GMT

I, for one, applaud the Cruise Line for their action. I know that pretty much anything goes these days, but there is a limit for heaven's sake! I don't recall any jokes re Sept 11th or Columbine, or the Virginia Tech shootings, to name a few incidents. Somethings really are sacred and need to be respected!

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

Lavinia_1 — Sat, 03 May 2014 17:34:14 GMT

It was inappropriate. As comedians, many understand there is a line that is not crossed. You can say or joke about whatever you want but be prepared, as a professional, that you may pay a price. Yes, the joke was about room space but it was what those women, and from the time they were captured, some pretty young women (not to mention the very young daughter of one) experienced while in those close quarters. Furthermore, she had the chance to say it was nothing personal, just a joke, and give a short "sorry." But, alas, that was too much for Joan. She had to on to intimate that since no one was in a psyc ward they must be okay. And as for her book comment, does she think her story is somehow more compelling? Yes, she had some hard times but lots of people experience hard times -- very few experience what those poor women experienced. I am no prude and have a w-icked sense of humor but normal,people know where that line is . . .

On 5/3/2014 RainCityGirl said:
I didn't hear the exact thing that she said, but someone summarized it as a joke about the size of the room they were held in as compared to some other room she was talking about. She didn't say anything insulting about the actual captives, did she? Just asking. To me she is a comedienne, and most comics take liberties with just about any topic. I don't know why anyone would be surprised. Take her or leave her, Joan's life will go on, whether a Norwegian Cruise lines or anyone else likes her or doesn't.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

Nancy Drew — Sat, 03 May 2014 17:35:19 GMT

I have taken many cruises. They have their family shows and then they have the adult only shows. That is not why they cancelled her, she went to far this time. It was a bad move on her part.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

gazelle77 — Sat, 03 May 2014 17:38:59 GMT

Good for them! Looks like this company has some social morals... lets see if QVC does or not.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

gazelle77 — Sat, 03 May 2014 17:40:09 GMT

I think Joan is on today- fashion day- sometime... I hope sales are way down and no one buys a thing.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

sidsmom — Sat, 03 May 2014 17:46:35 GMT

Cruise to Alaska? That's a long, expensive trip. Man, oh man.....I bet there are pi$.$ed off customers that spent GOOD money to see her. I bet Norway will have to pony up refunds to many passengers.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

gloriajean — Sat, 03 May 2014 18:04:10 GMT

Some years ago we took a cruise to Alaska and Joan was on that cruise. She came with her Dad and her hairdresser. I never talked to her, not a fan. They did talk her into giving some talks, it was soon after her husband committed suicide. But she was funny then anyway, but not like now. So she already was on a cruise to Alaska - maybe many more since than, who knows?

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

NoelSeven — Sat, 03 May 2014 18:07:28 GMT

What happened to those three girls was horrifying. They will never get over it and their entire lives will be a day by day struggle.

There are just some things you shouldn't joke about. We can all think of a few others.

Just imagine, if you were one of those three girls or their family, how you would feel knowing you were the butt of jokes from stage to cruise ship. That your horror, your torture was fodder for hilarity.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

ivey — Sat, 03 May 2014 19:25:59 GMT

On 5/3/2014 NoelSeven said:
What happened to those three girls was horrifying. They will never get over it and their entire lives will be a day by day struggle.

There are just some things you shouldn't joke about. We can all think of a few others.

Just imagine, if you were one of those three girls or their family, how you would feel knowing you were the butt of jokes from stage to cruise ship. That your horror, your torture was fodder for hilarity.

I just don't understand why Joan doesn't apologize for her comment. Doesn't she feel bad for the ladies? You know, sometimes you have to own up and say "I was wrong." That, to me, speaks more about her character than anything else. Instead, she just keeps coming with the zingers.

Re: Norwegian Cruise Drops Joan Rivers After Kidnapping Joke

scotttie — Sat, 03 May 2014 19:36:11 GMT

On 5/3/2014 NoelSeven said:
What happened to those three girls was horrifying. They will never get over it and their entire lives will be a day by day struggle.

There are just some things you shouldn't joke about. We can all think of a few others.

Just imagine, if you were one of those three girls or their family, how you would feel knowing you were the butt of jokes from stage to cruise ship. That your horror, your torture was fodder for hilarity.

EXACTLY. Can just imagine or or more of them, up in the morning, starting their day...and they turn on the Today show and hear that disgraceful excuse for a "joke"

ETA: It was on national television for goodness sake!