Joan Rivers Dies at 81

Joan Rivers passed away Thursday afternoon, September 4 in a New York hospital. The comedienne was 81. She is survived by her daughter Melissa Rivers and grandson Cooper who had stayed by her side during her hospitalization. Funeral will take place at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan on Sunday.

"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers," Melissa said. "She passed peacefully at 1:17pm surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided by mother."

"Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received from around the world. They have been heard and appreciated. My mother's greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon."

Joan was rushed to the Mount Sinai Hospital Thursday, August 28 after going into cardiac arrest during a minor throat surgery at Yorkville Endoscopy clinic. The outpatient clinic is now being investigated by the New York State Department of Health.

Joan's family gave little information about her condition, but Melissa recently confirmed that the "Fashion Police" star was put on life support. "The cause and manner of death will be announced at some point," said a rep for New York medical examiner's office.

Condolences and prayers were pouring in from fans, friends, and colleagues. Larry King remembered her as "a dear & wonderful friend who I've known for 45yrs. Great guest, pal, comedian & mother. We will never see her likes again." Jimmy Kimmel tweeted, "We lost a great one in @Joan_Rivers - she was funny all the way to the end."

Kathy Griffin paid tribute to the late star, "A legend, a friend, a mentor, an icon, and wildly funny. One of a kind. RIP #JoanRivers @joan_rivers." Ellen DeGeneres wrote, "Joan Rivers will always be a pioneer. She paved the way for a lot of comedians. I'm very sad she's gone."

Samuel L. Jackson posted, "Love Her or Hate Her, we're gonna Miss JOAN RIVERS! I always Respected her go for broke humor. One of a kind.R.I.P." Ryan Seacrest said, "She was trailblazing. Hysterical. Thoughtful. We'll miss you immensely Joan." Sharon Osbourne joined the mourners, "My heart goes out to Melissa & her son Edgar Cooper. Love and respect from the Osbourne family to you both."

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2014/2015 Power Ranking: As Chelsea top

1. Chelsea

With 11 goals scored in three consecutive wins, Jose Mourinho's men have started the campaign in ominous form. The impressive Diego Costa has scored four times, while Cesc Fabregas has slotted effortlessly back into the Premier League.

2. Barcelona

They've had two straight wins to open the season but not, perhaps, in the way you'd expect. While Lionel Messi has been influential, it's been a pair of teenagers -- Munir El Haddadi and Sandro Ramirez -- who have led the way with key goals against Elche and Villarreal respectively.

3. Atletico Madrid

The reigning Spanish champions saw their title-winning squad decimated by the team on top of this week's top 10 but have made shrewd signings over the summer, including Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann, and look set to challenge again.

4. Bayer Leverkusen

An opening-day win at Dortmund served notice that the Bundesliga race may involve more than one -- or two -- teams this season. Leverkusen followed up that triumph with a 4-2 win versus Hertha and have also won through to the group stages of the Champions League.

5. Bayern Munich

Pep Guardiola's side are unbeaten to start the season but the early weeks have not been without problems for Bayern. Injuries to Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger have forced transfer activity, with Medhi Benatia and Xabi Alonso quickly being drafted in.

6. Liverpool

Luis Suarez may have departed but last season's Premier League runners-up showed versus Tottenham that they will be a threat again. How Mario Balotelli works out remains to be seen, but what is certain is that Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling are getting better and better. 

7. Real Madrid

Having led 2-0, the European champions capitulated to defeat at Real Sociedad, and there are signs that the sales of Alonso and Angel Di Maria may have left Carlo Ancelotti's side a little top-heavy. They'll score plenty, but how many will they concede?

8. Manchester City

I know what you're saying: "How can they be below Liverpool after they beat them?" Well, that was last week! Mame Biram Diouf's solo goal earned Stoke a shock win last weekend and, while it may have just been a blip for City, blips cost places in my countdown!

9. Porto

They lost key men over the summer, including Fernando and Eliaquim Mangala to Man City but, with three wins in three games, featuring six goals scored and none conceded, Porto have made an impressive start to their bid to regain the Portuguese title. 

10. PSV Eindhoven

A down season in 2013-14 saw PSV finish fourth in the Eredivisie but Phillip Cocu's men have made a fine start to the new campaign. 14 goals have been scored in four league wins, while a place in the Europa League group stage has also been secured.

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Clinic which treated Joan Rivers is reviewed by Health Department

Health Department is launching a review over a clinic which treated Joan Rivers before her condition went critical last week. According to TMZ, officials at health department confirm that they are "reviewing the matter," but they are not conducting official investigation. The review apparently may take weeks up to months.

Rivers underwent a procedure to repair her vocal cords at Yorkville Endoscopy on Thursday, August 28. The 81-year-old comedian, however, stopped breathing during the procedure and was rushed to Mount Sinai hospital. Sources told the site that health department had contacted the clinic twice since last Thursday.

On Wednesday, the "Fashion Police" star's daughter Melissa Rivers gave an update on her mother's condition, saying that she had been moved from ICU into a private room. "My mother has been moved out of intensive care and into a private room where she is being kept comfortable. Thank you for your continued support," she said.

Numerous celebrities such as Giuliana Rancic, Kelly Osbourne and Mike Tyson have tweeted their support since the comedian got hospitalized. "On behalf of my mother and our family, we are extremely grateful for all the love and support we've received," Melissa said in a previous statement. "I know my mother would be overwhelmed by the continued outpouring of kindness and I want to thank everyone for keeping us in their prayers."

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