Melissa Rivers Admits Working with Mom Joan Rivers Was ‘Trying’ at Times, Recalls Getting in Fights After Filming “Fashion Police”

Melissa Rivers has opened up about her unique working relationship with her mother, the late Joan Rivers, during their time on the show **Fashion Police**. Appearing on the McBride Rewind podcast, Melissa, now 58, reflected on the dynamics that were often both challenging and entertaining, revealing that their collaborative experience frequently sparked heated disagreements on set.

For four years, the mother-daughter duo worked side by side, with Melissa serving as the executive producer of **Fashion Police**. Despite their close bond, there were numerous instances where Joan’s penchant for boundary-pushing led to conflicts. Melissa recounted how her mother would often exploit her position to create on-set chaos, knowing that she would have to manage the repercussions.

“There were times it was trying,” Melissa admitted, highlighting how Joan would push the envelope simply because she knew her daughter would mitigate the fallout. “She took a lot of advantage of what she could get away with because I was the executive producer,” she explained, recalling the regularity of their arguments and their somewhat chaotic working environment. The conflicts were so frequent that they would often argue in front of crew members only to jump in the same car afterwards, unaffected by the earlier tension.

Their interactions would often veer into comedic territory. Melissa recounted how, despite feeling frustrated with her mother, Joan would quickly shift gears post-argument to ask if they could stop by Pottery Barn or grab a snack at Target. “I would be like, steam still coming out of my ears, and she would just casually change the subject,” Melissa said, emphasising how disconnected Joan seemed from any conflicts they had just moments before.

This swift transition from heated discussion to casual conversation was a hallmark of their dynamic. “She would say, ‘Melissa, oh please. You know me. I say things and I get them out,’ leaving Melissa to remark, ‘I know you’re taking advantage of me,’ to which Joan would simply reply, ‘Yeah, but like okay,’” illustrating their playful yet complex relationship.

Melissa revealed that while her mother didn’t shy away from expressing strong opinions—which sometimes led to tension—she understood that Joan trusted her to manage any workplace issues. “She knew she could do and say things that she wouldn’t do to another professional because I knew how to take care of it,” Melissa said, clarifying how she often played the “parent” role in their professional relationship, even occasionally rolling her eyes at Joan’s antics.

Despite these moments of tension, Melissa had immense respect for her mother’s comedic instincts. “If she said something was going to work and it was funny, I would always tell the network to get out of her way because she knew,” she remarked, acknowledging Joan’s unique talent for humour that often transcended corporate concerns.

**Fashion Police** began its journey in 1995 and saw a reboot into a weekly series in September 2010, with Joan as the face of the show until her untimely passing at the age of 81 in September 2014. Following her mother’s death, Melissa continued to be a part of the show until it concluded in 2017.

Reflecting on contemporary culture and the concept of being “cancelled,” Melissa was candid about her mother’s approach to comedy. When asked whether Joan would have faced cancellation for her more provocative remarks in today’s climate, Melissa cheekily suggested that Joan “would have pushed it” further.

In a humorous twist, she added that she might have had to “duct-tape her to the wall in my closet” to prevent her from voicing her unfiltered opinions which often walked a fine line. However, it is clear that Joan Rivers, known for her bold and brash comedic style, likely would have remained undaunted by the prospect of cancel culture, as understood by her daughter.

This candid account provides a rare glimpse into the working relationship between Melissa and Joan Rivers, portraying a blend of familial affection and professional conflict, all underpinned by a shared passion for comedy.