Hours after pulling the plug on a live interview with CNN, Joan Rivers insisted her quick exit was not a PR stunt.
“The CNN interviewer was a news reporter and not an entertainment reporter,” Rivers told TheWrap. “She did not seem to understand we were talking about a comedy book and not the transcripts from the Nuremberg Trial. Every question was an accusatory one designed to put me on the defensive.”
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The interview started out amicably with CNN anchor Fredricka Whitfield calling Rivers a “trailblazer” and praising her career achievements. But it quickly went downhill.
Also read: Joan Rivers Storms Out of CNN Interview: ‘Shut Up!’ (Video)
“You know, you have some shock value to you,” Whitfield observed. “The cover of your book, you’re wearing a fur and you knew that there would probably be animal rights activists…”
“This whole interview is turning into a defensive interview,” Rivers replied. “Are you wearing leather shoes? Then shut up.”
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She didn’t stop there. The E! “Fashion Police” host then yelled, “You are not the one to interview a person who does humor. Sorry.”
Seconds later the comedienne walked off the set, leaving a stunned Whitfield to ask, “Are we serious?” Apparently so.
Watch the video of the lively interview above.
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