Entertainment

Wild Video: Joan Rivers Handcuffs Herself to Costco Shopping Cart to Protest Store’s Refusal to Sell Her Book

Joan Rivers Costco TMZ

Image source: TMZ

You can say this about Joan Rivers: She knows how to make a splash.

The comedian and television personality handcuffed herself to a Costco shopping cart in Southern California on Tuesday, protesting the megastore’s apparent refusal to sell her new book, “I Hate Everyone … Starting with Me.”

A camera crew just so happened to be on hand to capture her antics, which included shouting through a bullhorn at the Burbank, Calif. location.

“Costco should not be like Nazi Germany,” Rivers yelled outside the store, according to video of the incident posted on TMZ. “Next thing they’ll be burning the Bible.”

Joan Rivers Costco TMZ

Image source: Twitter user @BruceWatson43

And, according to USA Today, “Costco, who sells condoms by the pallet, who sells Paula Deen books and — which is not good for their customers’ health — they decided to ban my book. This is a First Amendment violation.”

Moving inside, she continued to rant as a small crowd gathered to watch.

“This is private property that was stolen from the Indians. The Indians are the original owners of this property,” she said. “This is not Costco property.”

After a few moments, she went up to a woman who had been watching the scene unfold.

“Excuse me. Excuse me one second. What’s your name?” Rivers asked. “Cynthia? You’re gonna be famous.”

With that, she set her bullhorn down in the woman’s cart, produced a pair of handcuffs and proceeded to lock herself to the cart. She seemed to have some trouble doing it — one of her assistants leaned in to tell her, “Do one around that and one around your wrist.”

Joan Rivers Costco TMZ

Image source: TMZ

Burbank city spokesman Drew Sugars told the Los Angeles Times Rivers refused to leave until police patrol units and a sergeant arrived. They escorted Rivers and her crew from the store, with no arrests made or citations issued.

“She had a whole entourage,” Sugars told the Times. “Sounds like a staged media event.”

Video of Rivers leaving did capture her shouting, “Selma, Alabama and Burbank, California!” as police escorted her out.

Comments (121)

  • concealled9mms
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:57am

    wow another wonderful important story brought to you by the blaze. never mind about are troops our economy north korean nukes ,iran nukes our communist leader in the white house, companies going broke gas prices on the rise , food prices still climbing upward, a republican party to afraid, to call out our dictator obammas destruction of the constitution, no this stupid article is what we are suppose to be engaged about what a joke.

    Report Post »  
    • jespasinthru
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 11:11am

      What’s wrong with an occasional chuckle at the expense of some old half-dead, has-been kook? You can’t immerse yourself in gloom & doom all the time. That just leads to depression and angst.

      Report Post » jespasinthru  
    • red_white_blue2
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:45pm

      It does speak to and is consistent with issues of Free Speech and also company soverignty to decide what products they will sell and won’t. I doubt any bookstore; even Barnes & Noble carries literally every book.
      So as far as I’m concerned it is relavent, and a chance to have a light chuckle in between the serious news that The Blaze does an incredible job covering.

      Report Post » red_white_blue2  
    • PatrickHenryFan
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:46pm

      No one is more serious about maintaining my freedom, but totally concur with “JESPASINTHRU”
      Got to have a laugh from time to time

      Report Post » PatrickHenryFan  
    • LIBSALWAYSLIE
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:03pm

      Joan is a joke, she has been a joke for decades. Also she looks revolting. Isnt she like 90 by now?

      Report Post » LIBSALWAYSLIE  
    • turkey13
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 3:17pm

      Let me see – Joan has First Ammendment Rights but Costco doesn’t! They should have bought about 10 Books at $1.50 each and then put them over in the kitty litter isle with a note telling the customer they were $5.00 a book but you had to pull the pages out to put in the litter box.

      Report Post »  
    • canadianlady
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:58pm

      Admit it. You just don‘t like Joan Rivers because she can’t stand Barack Obama.

      Report Post »  
  • purecolorartist
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:56am

    Good reporting, now I have to research as to what was in the book that Costco disagreed with. No reporting on the Blaze as to what the content of the book is. Is she anti Muslim, pro gay, anti gay?? I’ll get back to you later.

    Report Post » purecolorartist  
    • Globmgmt
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 11:29am

      Costco CEO is a Major Donor to Obama

      Report Post »  
    • Redwood Elf
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 11:34am

      Costco doesn’t carry all that many books…they’re not “banning” anything, they just didn’t sign up to sell this particular book.

      They don‘t sell Glenn’s books either…at least I never spotted “Arguing with Idiots” etc in there.

      Report Post » Redwood Elf  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 11:42am

      First Amendment violation. BS I think a wise marketing choice for Costco. They know a loser when they see one. Did Rivers ask Al or Jesse if she could invoke the name of Selma, Alabama in relation to her protest? To equate the two is an insult.

      Report Post »  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 11:58am

      [“Costco should not be like Nazi Germany,” ]
      Nazi’s took control of the german government and were the government. Costco is not government.

      [they decided to ban my book.]
      Not “carrying it” is not the same as “banning it”.

      [This is a First Amendment violation.]
      Government did not censor her stupid book. The First Amendment does not apply to private citizens or private companies making private decisions. Now if Joan used government to force them to sell her book, that would be a violation of their rights.

      Nothing to see here people, move along, move along.

      Report Post » Pontiac  
    • Redwood Elf
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:01pm

      @PavePaws: How is it a violation of the first amendment?

      Just to remind you, the first amendment reads:

      “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

      Since when is Costco elevated to the status of Congress? And what “law” did they make? The first amendment limits CONGRESS, not businesses. Joan is not petitioning the government so that part doesn’t apply, and Costco is private property, so they have the right to refuse service to anyone.

      Report Post » Redwood Elf  
    • Zipit
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 3:09pm

      GLOB! I think you are right! Didn’t he just have a big fundraiser for the dictator in chief “DIC” at his home? She must have uttered something of a conservative nature or criticized the administration to receive this treatment! Whatever, I”ll shop at SAMs Club! There’s one right next to the Chic-Fil-A.

      Report Post »  
  • OniKaze
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:54am

    I love crazy people…. Crazy FAMOUS people.. EVEN BETTER!!! :-)

    Joan, your hilarious, even when your not trying to be… Ahh… good times….

    Report Post » OniKaze  
    • blackyb
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 11:08am

      She is just a big mouth left wing nut.

      Report Post » blackyb  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 11:49am

      Joan has been a useless sack of dung ever since Johnny Carson pissed her off.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • OKSpeedDemon
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:51am

    I was hoping that she may of handcuffed herself outside, that way maybe she would melt away with all the plastic she has in her. Another stupid liberal!

    Report Post »  
  • bikerdogred1
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:49am

    This women should be locked in a coffin,she already looks dead.

    Report Post »  
  • TheVOR
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:47am

    Proof positive the title of her book is accurate:

    “I Hate Everyone … Starting with Me.”
    by: Joan Rivers

    I would suggest she read this book:

    The Search for Significance
    by: Robert McGee

    Report Post »  
  • dirtydog1776
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:47am

    They probably refused to sell any more botox.
    What a waste of space.

    Report Post » dirtydog1776  
  • seeker9
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:45am

    Who would buy a book with a title like that, Beckel and a few other libs?

    Report Post » seeker9  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:58am

      Beckfull helped her write it.
      JoanHoney?
      No problem….We dislike you too.
      OMG 2012

      Report Post »  
  • IMCHRISTIAN
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:44am

    Oh, she must be losing her popularity so on to making a fool of herself

    Report Post »  
    • Amarilloan
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:53am

      Making a fool of herself is her career. She is an entertainer. That’s what they do.

      Report Post »  
    • blackyb
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 11:12am

      The only people that watch her are some old hang overs from the “View” who are in la la land thinking they are with a group and having a “lively” discussion. Those who can stand those big mouth broads are silly as they are. Ridiclous. Those watching her are learning one thing and that being; ‘pass the bon bons.’ Silly old hags and hagletts.

      Report Post » blackyb  
    • QuincySmith
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 11:33am

      Future visions of a (soon-to-be-retired) famous high-ranking government official with no positive achievements other than writing a book.

      Report Post » QuincySmith  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:43am


    Hope Costco sells straitjackets.

    Report Post »  
    • LeadNotFollow
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:54am


      She’s had so much disfiguring plastic surgery on her face, did anyone even recognize her as actually being Joan Rivers?
      She just looks like some freaky old crazy woman, who needs hauled off to the nut-house.

      Report Post »  
    • www.TopTheNews.com
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:55am

      In bulk-for her and her daughter…

      Report Post » www.TopTheNews.com  
  • Eric_The_Red_State
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:42am

    Are we that screwed up that this matters to anyone?

    Sorry – rhetroical question

    Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
  • Edohiguma
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:42am

    She lost her cause when she compared Costco with Nazi Germany. Really? Not wanting sell one book makes them like Nazi Germany? She’s another dumb Yank running her mouth about something she has no bloody idea of. Who the heck is she even? I’ve never heard of her.

    Report Post » Edohiguma  
  • huey6367
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:39am

    They won’t sell it because no one wants to buy it. What in the world do you have to write about anyway?

    Report Post »  
    • TheVOR
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:58am

      Just a guess, but I’m gonna say Hate.

      “I Hate Everyone … Starting with Me.”
      by: Joan Rivers

      Report Post »  
  • sawbuck
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:38am

    So this is what senility looks like.. she will fade away long before her umteenth face lift…
    On a side note…At first glance that looked like a pimple on her cheek…

    Report Post » sawbuck  
  • Tigress1
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:36am

    I’m not the least bit interested in reading Joan Rivers book, but I‘d much rather read her book than Michele Obama’s book about gardening, or food, or whatever the heck it’s about, which Costco does sell.

    Report Post » Tigress1  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:35am

    Oh, that Joan. Heap big squaw disguised as Jewish Lady. She’s a one-woman wrecking crew and she always was! LOL!

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • Rational Man
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:35am

    COSTCO should just call the cops on her for disturbing the peace and stealing a shopping cart. Some people just like wallowing in their own embarrassment, don’t they?

    Report Post » Rational Man  
  • MAULEMALL
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:33am

    some folks can’t die fast enough.

    Report Post » MAULEMALL  
  • lordjosh
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:32am

    “This is a First Amendment violation.” “This is private property that was stolen from the Indians. The Indians are the original owners of this property,”

    If it is indian land then the first amendment does not apply. If it is a place of business, the first amendment does not apply.
    Has anyone found a use for this lady yet?

    Report Post » lordjosh  
    • joeontheright
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:13pm

      So, if the land belongs to the native American Indians, did she give HER house back to them?

      Report Post »  
  • Kilmerfan
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:31am

    She gives bitter old bat a bad name.

    Report Post » Kilmerfan  
  • SquidVetOhio
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:30am

    She is hilarious. I wish she wouldn’t have bashed Paula Dean. But, Joan Rivers is funny. This will sale some books for her.

    Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:26am

    Wouldn’t read her book anyway, have to much reading to add silly crap. It’s still a semi-free county, Costco does not have to sell anything it doesn’t want to. For now.

    Report Post »  
  • Abraham Young
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:26am

    Cute. but an idiot.

    Costco DOES own the property. Not the Indians. Look what socialism did to the Indians. WE didn’t do that. They can blame the past all they like. What are they doing NOW? Living in socialism and dwindling, dwindling.

    Report Post »  
  • HKS
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:24am

    Another liberal, “you own me bitch”. pitiful just pitiful.

    Report Post » HKS  
  • Mutiny
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:23am

    The company doesnt have to sell anything it doesnt want to. I dont think they would sell raw sewage so her book falls into that field I am sure.

    Report Post » Mutiny  

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