Back in Time Today
Joan Rivers was a trailblazing comedian known for her sharp wit, fearless humor, and ability to poke fun at just about anything.
Here are 19 of her funniest and most savage jokes that solidified her as a comedy legend.
1. Housework
“I hate housework! You make the beds, you do the dishes, and six months later you have to start all over again.” This joke captures Joan’s frustration with the never-ending cycle of domestic chores. Her humor shines through as she likens housework to a Sisyphean task, full of monotony and repetition.
By making a light-hearted observation about something many find tedious, Rivers connects with audiences through shared experiences. Her ability to find humor in the mundane is a testament to her comedic genius, allowing us to laugh at life’s everyday challenges, even as they persistently reappear.
2. Saying the Unsayable
“I succeeded by saying what everyone else is thinking.” Joan Rivers was known for her brash style and fearless approach to comedy. This quip reveals her secret: voicing the unspoken truths that others shy away from. Her willingness to tackle taboo subjects endeared her to audiences, as she broke down barriers with her words.
Through candid commentary, she invited people to confront uncomfortable realities with humor. Her success was rooted in this audacity, as she demonstrated how laughter can be a powerful tool for honesty and reflection, prompting us to face truths we might otherwise ignore.
3. Plastic Surgery
“I’ve had so much plastic surgery, when I die, they will donate my body to Tupperware.” Joan Rivers was famously open about her cosmetic surgeries. With this joke, she pokes fun at herself, embracing her choices with characteristic wit. By likening her enhancements to Tupperware, she cleverly contrasts beauty ideals with practicality.
Her humor acknowledges societal pressures while maintaining a playful tone. This self-deprecating style enabled her to connect with audiences by admitting flaws and finding humor in personal decisions. Joan’s ability to laugh at herself set her apart, making her relatable and endearing.
4. Exercise
“I don’t exercise. If God had wanted me to bend over, he would have put diamonds on the floor.” Joan Rivers humorously dismisses the fitness craze, prioritizing luxury over physical exertion. Her quip highlights her preference for indulgence, cleverly intertwining divine intent with earthly desires.
Through witty juxtaposition, she critiques societal expectations, implying that some pursuits aren’t worth the effort. By turning exercise into a humorous commentary on personal values, she invites us to question our own priorities. Joan’s sharp tongue and clever insights encourage us to appreciate humor in unlikely places, even in our daily routines.
5. Affair of the Heart
“At my age, an affair of the heart is a bypass!” Joan Rivers masterfully blends romance with medical realities in this joke. By using ‘affair’, she humorously contrasts youthful romance with mature health concerns. Her clever wordplay turns an ominous medical procedure into a light-hearted quip, showcasing her ability to transform serious topics into comedy.
This joke reflects her skill in addressing age-related issues without losing her signature wit. Joan’s humor resonates with audiences facing similar life stages, providing laughter as a remedy for life’s inevitable challenges and reminding us of her timeless comedic brilliance.
6. Flat Chest
“I was so flat, I used to put Xs on my chest and go to confession just so I could talk to the priest.” Joan Rivers used this joke to humorously highlight body image struggles. By exaggerating her flat chest, she playfully critiques societal standards of femininity. Her clever use of religious imagery adds an unexpected twist, blending faith with fashion.
Joan’s ability to find humor in personal insecurities resonates with audiences, as she encourages acceptance through laughter. This joke underscores her unique talent for transforming self-perceived flaws into comedic gold, empowering others to embrace imperfections.
7. Cremation and Shopping
“My husband wanted to be cremated. I told him, ‘I’d scatter his ashes at Neiman Marcus – that way, I’d visit him every day.’” Joan Rivers combines love and consumerism in this playful quip. By choosing Neiman Marcus as the final resting place, she humorously highlights her passion for shopping and her enduring connection to her husband.
The joke blends morbid humor with affection, showcasing her ability to find comedy in life’s inevitable endings. Joan’s wit shines through as she merges personal anecdotes with universal themes, proving that love and laughter can coexist, even in the most unexpected places.
8. Marriage and Divorce
“Half of all marriages end in divorce – and then there are the really unhappy ones.” Joan Rivers tackles the institution of marriage with her biting humor. By suggesting that divorce might be preferable to unhappiness, she challenges conventional wisdom. Her quip underscores the complexities of relationships, using humor to explore the nuances of commitment.
Joan’s ability to dissect societal norms with wit and insight invites audiences to reevaluate their perspectives on marriage. Her joke not only entertains but also prompts reflection on the realities of love and partnership, proving once again the power of comedy to provoke thought.
9. Birth Control
“My best birth control now is just to leave the lights on.” Joan Rivers uses humor to address the realities of aging and intimacy. Her clever quip turns a practical concern into a comedic observation, poking fun at the insecurities that accompany getting older.
By linking birth control to self-image, she lightens a sensitive topic with laughter. Joan’s wit provides a comforting reminder that humor can be found in the most personal aspects of life. Her ability to balance comedy with candor allows audiences to confront age-related changes with grace and a smile.
10. Unwanted Baby
“I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw that my bath toys were a toaster and a radio.” Joan Rivers uses self-deprecating humor to tackle her childhood experiences. By exaggerating her unwanted status, she transforms a potentially painful memory into comedy gold. Her absurd imagery of dangerous bath toys highlights her knack for finding humor in unconventional places.
Joan’s quip resonates with audiences who’ve faced similar feelings of insecurity, offering solace through laughter. Her ability to transform personal anecdotes into relatable humor underscores her timeless appeal and her gift for making light of life’s difficulties.
11. Mother’s Support
“My mother could never stick up for me. Once, at the school talent show, she went, ‘That’s my daughter. The one in the audience.’” Joan Rivers humorously reflects on her relationship with her mother, highlighting a lack of support with wit. By painting a picture of herself as an overlooked child, she turns familial disappointment into comedy. Her playful exaggeration illustrates the complexities of parent-child dynamics, using humor to navigate sensitive topics.
Joan’s ability to laugh at personal struggles helps audiences connect through shared experiences. Her quip about maternal support showcases her unique talent for blending humor with heart.
12. Back Problems
“I’m at an age where my back goes out more than I do.” Joan Rivers hilariously addresses the challenges of aging with this quip. By equating back problems with social life, she highlights the physical changes that accompany getting older.
Her wit transforms a common complaint into a light-hearted observation, inviting audiences to find humor in the inevitable. Joan’s ability to laugh at aging resonates with those facing similar issues, offering a comedic lens through which to view life’s changes.
Her joke serves as a reminder to embrace humor as a coping mechanism, even as we age.
13. Jogging
“The first time I see a jogger smiling, I’ll consider it.” Joan Rivers takes a playful jab at the fitness world with this observation. By highlighting the perceived misery of joggers, she cleverly critiques societal fitness expectations. Her humor lies in the contrast between the supposed benefits of exercise and the apparent lack of enjoyment.
Joan’s ability to find comedy in everyday activities offers a refreshing perspective on health trends. Her quip encourages audiences to question the pursuit of fitness for its own sake and to seek joy in their activities, whatever they may be.
14. Smiling at Birth
“When I was born, my mother asked the doctor if she was smiling. He said, ‘No, I think it’s gas.’” Joan Rivers uses this joke to explore the comedic side of birth stories. Her humorous twist on a newborn’s expression highlights the unpredictability of first impressions. By blending medical and familial humor, she creates an amusing narrative that resonates with parents.
Joan’s ability to find humor in life’s beginnings showcases her unique storytelling style. Her quip about birth serves as a reminder that laughter can be found even in the earliest moments, setting the tone for a life of comedy.
15. Looking 50
“Looking 50 is great—if you’re 60.” Joan Rivers playfully addresses aging and beauty standards with this quip. By contrasting two age milestones, she humorously highlights the relativity of perception. Her clever observation reflects the societal pressures to maintain youth, using wit to challenge these ideals. Joan’s humor encourages audiences to embrace their age with pride, finding joy in each stage of life.
Her ability to turn a common insecurity into a source of laughter showcases her timeless appeal and the power of comedy to defy conventional beauty norms, reminding us to celebrate ourselves at any age.
16. Cheap Date
“I once dated a guy who was so cheap, he wouldn’t even tip his hat.” Joan Rivers cleverly critiques frugality in relationships with this humorous anecdote. By using the outdated gesture of hat tipping, she highlights extreme stinginess. Her quip humorously portrays the lengths to which some might go to save money, blending old-fashioned imagery with modern dating woes.
Joan’s ability to find comedy in romantic encounters underscores her knack for storytelling. Her joke invites audiences to reflect on their own experiences with humor, proving that laughter can be found even in the quirks of courtship.
17. Movie Doctor
“I had a cold and called Dr. Zhivago. He said, ‘I’m a movie, not a doctor.’” Joan Rivers humorously plays on the confusion between fiction and reality in this joke. By referencing the iconic film “Dr. Zhivago,” she creates a clever mix-up that entertains with its absurdity. Her wit transforms a mundane situation into a comedic scenario, using popular culture to engage audiences.
Joan’s ability to weave humor into everyday life demonstrates her unique comedic voice. Her quip about movies and medicine invites us to laugh at our own misunderstandings, highlighting the joy of unexpected humor.
18. Plastic Surgery Friends
“If I want to see people who have had plastic surgery, all I have to do is look at my friends.” Joan Rivers humorously addresses cosmetic enhancements within her social circle. By implicating her friends, she lightens the topic of aging with a playful twist. Her self-awareness and candidness resonate with audiences, as she turns personal observations into comedic commentary.
Joan’s ability to balance honesty with humor endears her to fans, allowing them to laugh at societal beauty standards. Her quip encourages acceptance and camaraderie, proving that laughter is the best response to the pressures of aging.
19. Christmas Stockings
“The only thing women don’t want to find in their stockings on Christmas morning is their husband.” Joan Rivers humorously critiques holiday traditions and relationship dynamics with this joke. By turning the festive image of Christmas stockings into a marital commentary, she blends humor with realism.
Her wit captures the complexities of partnership, using the holidays as a backdrop for comedic insight. Joan’s ability to find levity in familiar settings underscores her skill in connecting with audiences through shared experiences. Her quip reminds us of the joys of humor in navigating the intricacies of relationships, even during the holidays.