Saint Joan

The 1993 'at worst...the best of Boy George and Culture Club' CD closed with some memorable words uttered by Quentin Crisp: 'London hasn't seen a performance like this since Sybil Thorndike appeared in St Joan.'

Well, this evening How Ridiculous is able to paraphrase the words of the great man: 'HR hasn't seen a performance like this since Joan Rivers appeared on the stage of the Palladium.'

Yes, the DVD of 'Joan Rivers (still a)Live at the London Palladium' arrived this morning. How Ridiculous was lucky enough to be present at the show when it was being recorded. What happy memories have been stirred of that October night!

Sadly, there has been some editing - including Kit and the Widow's warm up slot, the highlight of which, for HR, was a moving remix of 'Mandy' - a devoted tribute to Peter Mandelson, European Commissioner, serial resigner but never quitter.

Additonally, Miss Rivers's extended comments about Michael Jackson have been cut which HR won't go into here or indeed anywhere.

Perhaps most sadly the entire Q and A session after the completion of the main show has been cut. Miss Rivers absolutely sparkled as she responded to questions from the audience. How Ridiculous will always regret not asking the greatest comedienne of them all if she had any fashion tips for Cherie Blair....