Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?

Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? is a reality television series that aired on WE tv from 2011 to 2014. The show featured the legendary comedic debonair, Joan Rivers, and her daughter, Melissa Rivers. The series provided an intimate, witty, and unscripted peek into the extraordinary lives of these two dynamic personalities and the distinctive relationship they shared.

The premise of the series is constructed around Joan's decision to shake things up and leave her sumptuous living in New York City to move to Los Angeles to be closer to her daughter and grandson, Cooper. This shift in her lifestyle, from the hustle and style of the Big Apple to the laid-back glamour of the West Coast, forms the central narrative of the show.

Joan's relocation disrupts Melissa's previously tranquil life in Los Angeles. Viewers get to see the sparks fly as two strong personalities - one legendary in her outrageous prowess in comedy, the other seasoned by the trials and tribulations of living under the spotlight - share the same space and engage in a rollercoaster of emotions, laughter, conflict, and profound moments filled with warmth. The chaotic but loving dynamic between them becomes the soul of the series.

In Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?, Joan exhibits her unfiltered sense of humor and playful eccentricities, underpinning her enchanting persona that made her a household name. She remains a firecracker, unabashed about her opinion and refreshingly candid, which included commenting on her daughter's life and occupying herself with Melissa's affairs, hence the question in the title, "Joan Knows Best?"

On the other hand, Melissa Rivers, already a prolific TV host and producer, portrays the role of a dutiful single mother and a daughter trying to strike a balance between her career and her personal life, while also managing her strong-willed mother. Her character serves as a stark contrast to Joan's flamboyance throughout the series, adding a fascinating balance to the show.

An essential element of the series is the wonderfully close relationship of the mother-daughter duo. While there are several disagreements, the enduring love and affection they have for each other is always the underlying theme.

Audiences witness them navigate through various situations, including Joan's dates, advertising campaigns, charity functions, public events and Cooper's school affairs. The series cleverly shed light on Joan's role as a grandmother to Cooper. Her affection for her grandson and her unique approach towards helping him grow essentially brought another charming aspect to the show.

Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? is packed with an ample dose of drama, from fascinating celebrity guest appearances to conflicts. However, it is also peppered with titbits from the entertainment industry. Furthermore, it brilliantly displays the behind-the-scenes complexity of living a life in limelight.

Despite its comedic overtone, the show dealt with significant and poignant issues, seen through the lens of the Rivers’ experience, such as aging, plastic surgery, or dating. The series blurs the boundary between conventional reality television and real life, between the glitz and glam and genuine human emotions.

Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? is much more than a typical reality television show; it is about the similarities and differences between two generations. It gives audiences a thorough understanding of Joan Rivers and Melissa Rivers, away from the glitz and glamour of their professional lives, and instead, renders a transparent look at their personal lives. This sense of authenticity and emotional connection sets it apart from other reality television offerings.

Joan’s tragic death in 2014 brought the show to a close prematurely, turning the series into a cherished time capsule for the audiences documenting some of the last works of the legendary comedian.

In essence, Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? lures audiences into a world where humor meets heart, classic meets modern, and chaos meets love, all through the extraordinary lives of Joan and Melissa Rivers.