"Fashion Police" host Joan Rivers is notorious for making crude jokes, but she went a little too far on Tuesday's "Today" show appearance. The comedienne poked fun at the Cleveland kidnapping victims, generating tremendous backlash.
Rivers made a tasteless comparison between her daughter Melissa's guest room and the victims' living conditions during hostage.
"Those women in the basement in Cleveland had more room," she teased.
When TMZ questioned her on the matter she put her foot in her mouth once again, stating "they got to live rent free for over a decade."
Attorneys for victims Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus released a statement regarding the matter, reading:
"Our clients have become aware of Joan Rivers' unfortunate comparison of living in her daughter's guest room to their captivity. We understand that Ms. Rivers is a comedienne; however, the idea that a celebrity would say something this hurtful, on national television, no less, is beyond shocking and disappointing. Our clients are strong, private women who have endured unwanted and often painful media attention for quite some time. They now have to endure this, which is a new low, and we believe a sincere apology is warranted.''
The two women and a third named Michelle Knight escaped last year. Their kidnapper, Ariel Castro, hung himself in prison.
Rivers stopped by The Plain Dealer Wednesday and continued to stand her ground. The fashion critic felt that as a comedienne she had nothing to apologize for.
"I know what those girls went through," she explained. "It was a little, stupid joke. There is nothing to apologize for. I made a joke. That's what I do. Calm down. Calm [explicit] down. I'm a comedienne. They're free, so let's move on."
Do you think her joke was too harsh, or was Rivers just doing her job? Tell us your thoughts!