Joan Rivers, the trailblazing comedian and talk show maven, left an indelible mark on the world of comedy.
But what’s the deal with her famous catchphrase, “Can we talk?” How did it come to be? Well, the answer is rooted in Rivers’ life and her comedy skits.
Joan Rivers, born Joan Molinsky in 1933, was known for her brutally honest and raw humor. Her iconic catchphrase, “Can we talk?” commanded audiences to dive into the heart of matters. It became a comedic ritual, symbolizing her no-nonsense approach. Rivers tackled societal norms, skewering stereotypes, and embraced competitive humor.
Explained: The Story of “Can We Talk” and Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers, born Joan Molinsky in Brooklyn in 1933, was a force to be reckoned with. Her humor was unapologetically raw and brutally honest.
“Can we talk?” became her signature catchphrase, a comedic tool that set her apart in the world of stand-up comedy. It wasn’t just a phrase; it was a command, an invitation to strip away the nonsense and dive into the heart of the matter.
Rivers’ comedy was all about honesty, and her approach was straightforward:
“Let’s stop this nonsense!”
She’d engage in call-and-response with her audience, spontaneously blurting out the phrase during her routines, and soon, the audience would echo it back to her.
It became a comedic ritual, a way for her to keep the laughs rolling even if a joke fell flat.
Other comedians, like Rodney Dangerfield, noticed the power of this phrase, and it became a symbol of Rivers’ style. It was short, sweet, and to the point, a perfect reflection of her no-nonsense approach to comedy.
Now, Joan Rivers had a few recurring themes in her comedy.
She didn’t hold back when it came to skewering societal norms and stereotypes. Men, in her eyes, were often portrayed as untrustworthy wolves.
Education, she believed, had its limits, and security was often tied to wealth. Her take on education was blunt (via Medium):
“I spit on education. No man has ever put his hand up a woman’s dress looking for a library card.”
According to Joan, trusting your husband was fine, but securing your own future was even more critical:
“Trust your husband, adore your husband — and get as much as you can in your own name.”
Rivers was also known for her competitive humor, where women were pitted against each other, and nothing was sacred.
New fads, like exercise and jogging, were ripe targets for her comedic ammunition. She once quipped,
“The first time I see a jogger smiling, I’ll consider it.”
Joan Rivers didn’t just perform comedy; she lived and breathed it. Her humor was a constant, her default mode. Whether her jokes landed or fell flat, she never stopped, and her dedication to the craft was unparalleled.
However, her career had its ups and downs. She famously had a falling out with Johnny Carson when she accepted an offer to host a competing talk show on Fox.
Despite their once-close friendship, their relationship crumbled, marking a significant turning point in her career.
Joan Rivers’ life was filled with laughter, sacrifice, and fame’s peculiar distortions. She didn’t shy away from controversial material, and if her jokes seemed to denigrate women, she brushed it off with a toughen-up attitude.
In the end, Joan Rivers was a comedy legend who left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment.
Her catchphrase, “Can we talk?” continues to resonate as a symbol of her bold, no-nonsense comedic style even though she passed away on September 4, 2014.
So, what is your favorite Joan Rivers joke or comedic moment? Do you think Joan Rivers’ comedy was ahead of its time in challenging societal norms, or did she submit to the stereotypes?
Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
Source: THR
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