Joan Rivers Heidi Klum, Holocaust Joke: Not Sorry
Joan Rivers has drawn fire over her joke pertaining to the Holocaust and supermodel Heidi Klum, but refuses to apologize for the anecdote.
While Rivers described Klum's dress worn to the 2013 Oscar Awards last week, the E! "Fashion Police" co-host made a piercing comment that eluded to the Holocaust.
"The last time a German looked this hot was when they were pushing Jews into the ovens," said the 79-year-old while on air.
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The comments sparked controversy with many who demanded an apology from Rivers, but the comedian rejected the uproar.
"Apologizing for what? For what? Heidi didn't mind it," declared the famed television personality while speaking to Omg! Yahoo. "That's the joke, Heidi Klum didn't mind it. We didn't mind it. So somebody else minded, you know, then don't watch 'Fashion Police.' Next."
Furthermore, Rivers said that using the Holocaust in a joke raises awareness of the atrocities that occurred during the time period.
"I make points with humor and you want to talk about the Holocaust," asked Rivers, according to Yahoo. "That's how I talk about the Holocaust. I remind people that there was a Holocaust and someone should wake Mel Gibson up to watch 'Fashion Police.'"
In a separate statement, Rivers explained that the Holocaust has affected her personally.
"My husband lost the majority of his family at Auschwitz and I can assure you that I have always made it a point to remind people of the Holocaust through humor," said the author, according to E! News.
As for those who took offense to the joke, Rivers imparted one last message.
"You live in the dark ages," said the former late-night television host, according to Yahoo. "Learn what comedy's about, tell that Richard Pryor, tell that to Chris Rock, tell it to Louis C. K., go back to Lenny Bruce. I'm very proud to be a part of that group."
