Immediately following the premiere of American Masters: The Boomer List, American Masters will present an In Memoriam tribute broadcast of Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010) on Tuesday, September 23, 10:30 p.m.-12 midnight on PBS (check local listings).

This broadcast of Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work marks the PBS premiere of the documentary for which PBS now has exclusive broadcast rights. After the broadcast, the film will be available here on the American Masters website for a limited time.

“I interviewed Joan Rivers for my PBS series Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America back in 2006 and she was not only hilarious, but incredibly insightful,” said Michael Kantor, American Masters series executive producer.

“A familiar face in past American Masters films about Johnny Carson and Mel Brooks, Joan Rivers was a pioneer worthy of her own place in the series’ distinguished library. I’m pleased we’re able to bring Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg’s moving documentary to audiences during this time of remembrance, and pay tribute to Joan.”

Film Synopsis

American Masters – Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work takes the audience on a year-long ride with Joan Rivers in her 76th year of life; it peels away the mask of an iconic comedian, laying bare both the struggle and thrill of living life as a groundbreaking female performer. Filmmakers Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg (The Devil Came on Horseback, The Trials of Darryl Hunt) expose the private dramas of this irreverent, legendary comedian as she fights to keep her career thriving in a business driven by youth and beauty. 90 minutes.