Joan Rivers is defending herself after walking out on an interview with CNN's Fredricka Whitfield.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 81-year-old comedienne was reportedly offended by the questions being asked by Whitfield during Saturday's interview. Rivers was on the show to promote her E! Network show, "Fashion Police," her new book, "Diary of a Mad Diva," and her upcoming Broadway appearances.
However, the interview quickly turned south after Whitfield accused the opinionated comedian of being too "mean."
"It's not mean, it's not mean," Rivers said while defending the show. "I tell the truth. I'm sure I say the same things that all your viewers say to their friends sitting next to them on the couch. We're one of the few shows that say 'that's an ugly dress' . . . These ladies make $28 million a picture. You really think that Nicki Minaj cares I didn't like her dress? It's not about them, it's the clothing."
Whitfield later asked Rivers if she had any boundaries when it came to offensive humor and Rivers replied, "Life is very tough, and if you can make a joke to make something easier and funny, do it. Done."
The CNN anchor continued to poke at the comedian, and even pointed out that Rivers wore a fur on the cover of her new book, suggesting she knew it would cause controversy with the PETA. Rivers eventually walked out of the interview, but not before calling the situation "negative."
Several publications called Rivers' actions a publicity stunt.
In a statement to E! News Rivers said, "I do not do, and never have done, PR 'stunts.' The CNN interviewer was a news reporter and not an entertainment reporter. She did not seem to understand we were talking about a comedy book and not the transcripts from the Nuremberg Trial. Every question was an accusatory one designed to put me on the defensive. She seemed to miss the point that "Diary of a Mad Diva" is simply a very funny book, and as Winston Churchill said, 'If you can make one person laugh, even for a minute, it's like giving them a little vacation.'"
