Melissa Rivers Reveals How Her Mother, Joan, Hoarded Thousands of Jokes

Three years after the sudden death of Joan Rivers, an extensive archive of her material has been turned into a book by daughter Melissa. 

It's titled Joan Rivers Confidential and features 335 pages of items culled from things she packed away for safe keeping.  

Melissa Rivers combed through a treasure trove of her mom's belongings. 

"There were just boxes and boxes and boxes from when my mom moved from California to New York," she said. 

Melissa said that it wasn't a cathartic experience because of the sheer number of things that Joan left behind.

In the 2010 documentary, A Piece Of Work, the comedienne is seen going through drawers full of written jokes. She also kept material at a storage facility.  

There was also a meticulous card catalog, indexed with details about pets, cooking and Melissa's dates.  

The late comedienne left a file crammed with some 850 jokes on a single topic - Elizabeth Taylor.  

The book also chronicles Joan’s life with photos from her childhood and throughout her career. 

She had a legendary falling out with Tonight Show host Johnny Carson and her files from the show filled two boxes of material.

Melissa says the book carries a big message.

"She was funny, she was happy, she was a force of nature, and there will truly never be anyone like her," she said. 

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