Melissa Rivers was a perfect fit as honored guest at the annual Mamarazzi luncheon, hosted by The MOMS, Denise Albert and Melissa Musen Gerstein's mother-advocacy lifestyle brand. Not only one of the most famous of daughters and a mom herself, Melissa has a book out, The Book of Joan: Tales of Mirth, Mischief, and Manipulation. Though, as we all know, Joan Rivers died unexpectedly as a consequence of a botched throat surgery, she still left her daughter clear instructions on what should happen should she die and the reassurance that Melissa would get everything. That seems to include her mother's hairdresser of the last 10 years, Raymond Rosario, who deftly patted down Melissa's sleek do, curling a stray strand, as she arrived at Juniper Bar, a chic Garment Center bistro.
Melissa fielded questions about the difficulties and relief of writing this book; her son Cooper, the apple of her mom's eye (Joan considered him an accessory, quipped Melissa); and the 76,000 jokes filed away on notecards that are now being archived. Melissa said her mom's best advice was "This too shall pass," a mantra serving for tragedies, disappointments, and good news alike. She also revealed that Joan loved to drive but drove scary-badly. One of the few men in the room asked if Melissa was mindful of her mom's gay followers. Yes, Melissa said. And what about Fashion Police? That's coming back, Melissa announced. Then Melissa graciously signed books, assuring the crowd that though her mother's voice could be heard through its pages, the perspective was her own. And no, she will never, ever do standup.
A version of this post also appears on Gossip Central.