Joan Rivers Tribute Special to Air on NBC With Nikki Glaser, Bill Maher, Tracy Morgan and More

Nearly 11 years after the comedy legend’s death, NBC will celebrate Joan Rivers with a star-studded one-hour comedy special, “Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute.”

via: Variety

A tribute to Joan Rivers featuring the late comedy legend’s closest friends, colleagues and admirers will air on NBC on May 13, before an “extended and uncensored version” will stream on Peacock the next day.

The special, which was filmed during the 2024 New York Comedy Festival, will feature comedy, musical bits and other appearances from names such as Nikki Glaser, Bill Maher, Tracy Morgan, Aubrey Plaza and Sarah Silverman.

Rachel Brosnahan, Margaret Cho, Tiffany Haddish, Chelsea Handler, Neil Patrick Harris, Howie Mandel, Joel McHale, Patton Oswalt, Jean Smart and Rita Wilson are also on the lineup, as well as Rivers’ daughter, Melissa Rivers.

The uncensored edition of the special will feature additional comics who have yet to be revealed. The special will air again on NBC in an “encore presentation” on June 5.

“This tribute is everything my mother would have wanted — hilarious, unfiltered and filled with people she respected (and roasted). And as usual, she was still the funniest person in the room,” said Melissa Rivers in a statement. “It’s incredibly moving to see so many iconic comedians come together to celebrate her legacy, especially the women whose careers she helped make possible by breaking down so many doors. I know she’d be thrilled to see how far things have come, and she’d still have notes. This is more than a tribute. It’s a reminder of the trail she blazed and the joy she brought to so many.”

“Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute” is executive produced by Melissa Rivers, Chris Convy, Erich Bergen and David Jammy on behalf of Done + Dusted. Michael Matuza is co-executive producer.

Watch a teaser for the special below.