Melissa Rivers Makes First Public Appearance Since Joan's Death

Joan Rivers' daughter stands behind her mother's now empty chair on the set of the TV show Fashion Police.  Now, a simple black and white pillow with the letter "J" embroidered on it lays in the seat.

Melissa Rivers said, "This chair was the place where a woman spoke the truth about celebrities and fashion and did it in a way that was hilarious and absolutely 100% original. Tonight we are going to say goodbye in the only way my mom would want us to."

It's the first time we've seen Melissa since her mom's funeral and she revealed a message of condolence from the first family.  

Melissa said, "I received a letter from the White House, President Obama, someone who was often a target of her jokes, as was Mrs. Obama. But I received a hand-written note saying: 'Not only did she make us laugh, she made us think.' "

Melissa also shares special memories of her mom on the show.  

"Nothing made me smile more than when she would crack herself up before she even got to the punchline of a joke," she said.