Alright, let's dive into this. Even though "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" was nominated for Best Television Series at the 2020 Golden Globes, Melissa Rivers has revealed that she has a pretty compelling reason for not watching the show. It's not just any show; it’s a series set in the '50s, and Melissa has a deep connection to that era because of her late mom, Joan Rivers, and other legendary women like Phyllis Diller.

Why Melissa Rivers Can’t Bring Herself to Watch the Show

During an appearance on the "Hollywood Raw" podcast on March 30, Melissa got real about her feelings. She admitted, “I have to be 100% honest, I’ve never watched the show, and there’s a particular reason.” She went on to explain, “I know it’s based on my mom [Joan Rivers] and Phyllis Diller, a lot of these different women.” For Melissa, it’s more than just a TV show. It’s a reflection of her mom’s legacy, and that’s heavy stuff.

joan-rivers-melissa-rivers — Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

The Show's Connection to Melissa’s Past

When you look at the storyline of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," it’s easy to see why Melissa feels this way. The show follows Midge Maisel, played by Rachel Brosnahan, as she navigates the world of stand-up comedy in the late '50s after her husband leaves her for another woman. The series premiered in 2017, and for Melissa, who lost her mom in 2014, watching it would be like reopening a fresh wound. “It was still so soon after my mom’s death and so raw to me,” Melissa confessed.

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Expectations Unmet

As the series gained traction and was renewed for second and third seasons, Melissa felt something was missing. She believed that the cast should have acknowledged her mom as one of the inspirations behind the show. “I would have loved more than anything an email just saying, ‘Hey, your mom was one of the inspirations for this, we hope you love watching the show as much as we enjoy making it,’” Melissa told host Dax Holt. “I have never heard a single word from anyone, ever, involved in the show … I guess hurtful is the word, that they never even just said [anything].”

A Moment of Recognition

There was a small moment of justice for Melissa when Jane Lynch gave a shout-out to Joan Rivers after winning an Emmy in 2019 for her role in the series. “I sent flowers to Jane Lynch,” Melissa recalled. “… Because she actually acknowledged my mom. I sent her flowers saying, ‘Thank you.’”

In December 2019, Amazon announced that "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" would return for a fourth season. While Melissa didn’t explicitly say whether she’d ever watch the show, it’s understandable why it might be tough for her to tune in. Joan Rivers was an icon, and no one can ever replace her. The show might capture the essence of the '50s, but it can never replicate the real-life brilliance of Joan.