Can We Talk? Joan Rivers Honored With ‘Joke File’ Exhibit At The National Comedy Center

STUDIO CITY, CA – JULY 26: Joan Rivers onstage during Comedy Central’s “Roast of Joan Rivers” at CBS Studios on July 26, 2009 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

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The National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York — located in the birthplace of legendary comedian Lucille Ball — has unveiled a new exhibit dedicated to Joan Rivers. Titled The Joan Rivers Joke File, the exhibit opened on August 9 during the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival and showcases Rivers’ iconic joke file: a meticulously organized collection of nearly 70,000 original jokes spanning from the 1950s through 2014. The jokes are categorized into hundreds of themes, including “Parents Hated Me,” “Weddings,” “Aging,” and “Politics.” A key highlight is Rivers’ signature self-deprecating humor.

True to the Center’s immersive style, the exhibit offers visitors an intimate look at Rivers’ creative process through original joke cards, early handwritten material, personal scrapbooks, audio recordings, correspondence with peers, and a selection of her stage costumes.

Melissa Rivers, Joan’s daughter and longtime collaborator, expressed her pride in the exhibit’s creation. “I am so honored that my mother’s joke file now has a home at the National Comedy Center,” Melissa said in a statement. Known to many as Joan’s co-host on E!’s Fashion Police – a former celebrity-focused pop culture and fashion commentary show where a panel of comedians offered humorous critiques of celebrity red carpet looks – Melissa has also shared their personal story in the docuseries Joan & Melissa. The series followed Joan’s move to Los Angeles to live with Melissa and her grandson Cooper.

“She would have been thrilled to be included among the legends represented here,” Melissa continued. “This exhibit is a celebration of her humor, her fearlessness, and her extraordinary impact on comedy. It means so much to know that fans and future generations will be able to connect with her work and experience her comedic brilliance in such a personal way.”

Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the National Comedy Center, underscored Rivers’ significance in the world of comedy. “Joan Rivers was a master of reinvention who blazed a trail for generations of comedians, breaking barriers and redefining what was possible in stand-up and entertainment,” Gunderson said. “This is not simply the accessioning of a legendary artifact—it’s an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the creative mind of a culture-shifting artist. Through this exhibit, guests can step into Joan’s process, see the precision and persistence behind every joke, and experience the artistry that made her one of comedy’s most enduring and dynamic figures.”

The Joan Rivers Joke File exhibit is part of the Center’s permanent collection, which also features artifacts from comedy icons such as Lucille Ball, whose pioneering work in television comedy set the stage for future generations; George Carlin, renowned for his incisive social commentary; Richard Pryor, whose raw and honest storytelling broke new ground in stand-up; Carl Reiner, creator of The Dick Van Dyke Show; and Johnny Carson, who defined late-night television.