Comedienne Joan Rivers is being criticized again for making a joke – even though she has built a 50-year career by cracking offensive jokes. According to ABC News, Rivers made a post-Oscar joke about Nazi Germany and the Holocaust earlier this week and the criticism and demand for an apology became headlines on Thursday when Joan Rivers - in her inimitable style - refused to apologize for having made the joke.
Joan Rivers almost steers clear of politics at Arcadia Theater
On the television program “Fashion Police” on the E! channel, Rivers commented on German model Heidi Klum’s somewhat-racy Oscar party dress:
The last time a German looked this hot was when they were pushing Jews into the ovens.
After cracking the joke, Rivers – who happens to be Jewish herself – let out a hearty laugh.
However, Abraham Foxman, the director of the Anti-Defamation League, wasn’t laughing. Foxman jumped right on it by condemning Rivers’ comment.
Foxman said:
Of all people, Joan Rivers should know better. This remark is so vulgar and offensive to Jews and Holocaust survivors, and indeed to all Americans, that we cannot believe it made it to the airwaves.
Foxman went on to severely criticize her co-hosts on the program for making no effort to condemn her statement, and – according to his opinion – gave the comment more legitimacy by not being responded to by the others on the show.
Commenting to ABC News, Rivers said:
My husband lost the majority of his family at Auschwitz, and I can assure you that I have always made it a point to remind people of the Holocaust through humor… Don’t talk to me about the Holocaust.
Last year, Rivers made a similar statement regarding Nazi Germany when she protested Costco’s decision not to carry her book, “I Hate Everything… Starting With Me.” At that time, she compared Costco to Nazi Germany.
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