Kathy Griffin was having fun ahead of the 2024 Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday.
The Context
Griffin posted a joke on X, formerly Twitter, showing a vintage video of Joan Rivers slapping her, and poked fun at the 2022 incident when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock.
What We Know
Smith walked on stage at the Academy Awards after Rock made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith and slapped him in the face during the live telecast.
Griffin shared a video where she made a joke about Rivers during a roast about the legendary comedian.
The video shows Rivers, seemingly annoyed, throwing her martini glass over her shoulder and storming over to to Griffin. Rivers then proceeds to slap her in the face, leaving Griffin stunned.
"Joan and I walked so Chris and Will could run..my jaw still hurts," Griffin wrote in the caption.
Joan and I walked so Chris and Will could run..my jaw still hurts. #OscarSunday #Oscars #KathyGriffin #JoanRivers pic.twitter.com/KNddoi15PZ
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 10, 2024
Rivers was a leading comedian for decades before her death and someone Griffin said she looked up to for years.
Recently, when Griffin struggled to sell tickets for her latest tour she quoted Rivers to help her feel better.
"She used to say that when you're heartbroken, you're your funniest," Griffin told her fans in January. "So I must be a riot!"
Griffin had posted an emotional video to her social media earlier this year telling fans he latest tour ticket sales were not doing so well.
"I need comedy fans to come out and see me and Kansas City, come on," she continued. "I need sell-outs. I've been through hell. I've been through so much crap since my last tour. I actually just have to laugh at it. So please..."
Views
People loved Griffin's joke about the Smith slap and Rivers and told her so in the replies on her post.
"Nothing has been the same since," wrote one person, @taradublinrocks,on X in reply to the post.
Another, @Lady__JJ, added: "You and Joan together were the best comedy ! I miss the her on the Red Carpet she made the Oscars special in her own way . 💕."
And a third, @CP92566140, wrote: "I miss seeing you with Joan!"
A fourth, @TheCassel, commented: "Joan will always be the Queen!"
What's Next?
The Academy Awards aired on Sunday night and were hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, in his fourth time taking on the job.
You can see all the latest winners from Hollywood's biggest night with Newsweek.
UPDATE: 03/10/2024, 8:40 p.m. ET. This article was updated to include additional information.
Uncommon Knowledge
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