Thank Joan Rivers for Making the Red Carpet the Oscar Event that it is Today

The Red Carpet Industry

Eventually, stars were being paid to wear certain designers and the concept has gone as far as many getting multi-million dollar deals as "brand ambassadors." It is why certain people seem to wear the same designer for an entire season, or in some cases, for multiple years. The choices are no longer theirs, instead the stylists, designers and fashion houses competing for the very lucrative branding that comes from a mega star wearing only your brand, make the decisions. There's no more Bjork, no Cher, no Demi Moore in spandex bicycle shorts. The carpet is all business – big business – and they owe much of its success to Joan.

Unfortunately, it stopped being fun for Joan and Melissa when publicists and designers started to call all the shots on the carpet. Once the spontaneity was gone and everything was a battle with members of the press from around the world for 30-seconds with the biggest stars, the Rivers girls hung up their Manolos and turned to the couch where they became "Fashion Police."

'Fashion Police'

The weekly fashion chat fest on E! became an instant hit. With Joan at the helm, Melissa and fellow panelists Giuliana Rancic, George Kotsiopoulos, and Kelly Osbourne offered their opinions on the best and worst dressed at any and every Hollywood event. Of course, the final decision on the best and the worst always belonged to Joan.

Earning a 'Golden Hanger' from Joan and the gang became a thing. Everyone was watching. While most appreciated being mentioned on either list, there were a few dustups along the way. When Lady Gaga arrived as an egg at the 2011 ceremony and was criticized by Kelly Osbourne for doing so, Joan said: "Fashion Police is a comedy show; anyone that comes out of an egg should figure that out." And she told Gaga to "lighten up and focus her celebrity on more important issues." There was also a notable dustup with Jennifer Lawrence that never got resolved.

Sadly, Joan died at the height of "Fashion Police's" success. News of her death elicited much love from those she skewered. Rihanna tweeted "Please keep Joan Rivers in your prayers." Regular target Lindsay Lohan said "We'd fuss but love was there. Can't believe ur gone. Love to your family. You were iconic and trailblazing. RIP Joan." Anna Kendrick wrote "RIP Joan Rivers. Being publicly told that my dress is hideous will never feel quite as awesome. You will be truly missed." And Canadian supermodel Coca Rocha tweeted "So sad to hear about the great Joan Rivers. I'll never forget the first time she made fun of me on TV. I knew I had made it!"

The Final Diss

These sentiments were echoed over and over by some of the greatest talents in the world. But the Academy apparently didn't care about her significant contribution to the Oscars. Their statement read "Joan Rivers is among the many worthy artists and filmmakers we were unfortunately unable to feature in the In Memoriam segment of this year's Oscar show. She is, however, included in our In Memoriam gallery on Oscar.com."

After reading this statement on the Fashion Police Oscar episode, Giuliana Rancic flipped the Academy the bird and, though bleeped, gave them a hearty "f... you" on behalf of Joan Rangers everywhere.

Rancic and Ryan Seacrest hosted the red carpet for E! for many years after the Rivers girls took to the "Fashion Police" couch. Currently, Laverne Cox has taken over the job. She asks: "What is the story you're telling with this (outfit)?" What the Joan Rangers hear is "Who are you wearing?"

Joan Rivers once said, "If you get one moment in this business when you are white hot, you are very fortunate. I have had three. I am beyond lucky." Though the Academy may not have given Rivers her due for transforming a rather dull, lifeless affair into a major television event, they certainly have benefited from her final white-hot moment. Dreams really do come true on that red carpet. And thanks to Miss Rivers, everyone gets the chance watch it happen.

Watch this video of Joan's best Red Carpet moments: