Eldergays, tell me about Joan Rivers’ “disastrous” late night talk show from the ‘80s

It wasn't a disaster - it was a great show. Unfortunately - her show was the only programming on the channel and Fox was only available in like 50% of the TV markets, so major national tv buys to fund the program was soft because it wasn't a true national buy.

Literally, there was no other new programming but her show on the channel. She was the only original show - the rest of it - only 5 shows (21 Jump Street, Married with Children, Tracey Ullman show, Duet, and Mr. President) didn't start until the following season.

So there was no entry point - meaning people literally had to remember to change the channel to Fox to watch her show.

She was all on her own - and then when it didn't do great because of all the things listed above - they blamed her and her husband, which is fucking ridiculous.

Didn’t Carson ban any guests who appeared on it?

I really liked it. It’s on YouTube.

It was much better than Chevy Chase’s talk show, which came later. Joan was really good at hosting but as R1 pointed out, FOX was a nothing burger at that point, just a loose conglomeration of formerly syndicated stations. Plus, the animosity with Carson didn’t help.

Ugh. I just remembered another terrible talk show. Dennis Miller had one in 1992. The worst.

Joan was one of the best of them all…better than Leno, that’s for sure.

I've seen better drag renditions of Joan than the way she looked at that time.

It was very, very good. She was humble, funny, accessible, and genuinely interested in her guests and conversation. Legions ahead of any other in that regard.

Joan calling Victoria Principal on air, and revealing Victoria’s number on television. Victoria sued Joan over this.