The host of E!’s “Fashion Police,” WE’s “Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?” lets loose on the “Torpedo of Truth” tour, red carpet etiquette and last night television.
The Hollywood Reporter: What’s the biggest change to the red carpet since you got into the business?
Joan Rivers: It’s completely different. We were asked originally to do a red carpet show and [daughter] Melissa and I both said we don’t want to do it anymore.
THR: Why?
Rivers: You can’t have any fun. In the old days a lot of star wore their own clothes and that was fun. Kim Basinger made her dress. Demi Moore wore bicycle shorts. Sharon Stone wore a t-shirt. Now it’s all controlled. There’s a PR person right behind you and if you said something negative about Nicole Kidman’s dress last year then you’re not going to get Tom Cruise this year because they share a publicist. So who the f*** needs it? I have better things to then stand and say, ‘don’t you look beautiful.’ Fashion Police is perfect because you get to say what you think.
THR: Have the reactions remained the same over the year?
Rivers: I think they’re finally getting it. It’s okay that we say, ‘Halle Barry looked stupid in that dress. She could look so much better.’ It doesn’t matter. As Melissa says, it’s almost a badge of honor to be mentioned. If they don’t know who you are then they’re not going to talk about you.
THR: There’s something to be said for all press is good press.
Rivers: You don’t believe that? Look at Charlie Sheen. And Martha Stewart came out of jail bigger than ever. All press is good press.
THR: You bring up Charlie Sheen. What do you think of the tour?
Read River’s answer in The Hollywood Reporter on newsstands now.