Joan Rivers escorted out of Costco by police

BURBANK, Calif. (KABC) -- Joan Rivers was escorted out of Costco in Burbank by police after the store complained that the comedienne made an unannounced and unauthorized in-store appearance Tuesday.

Rivers' book, "I Hate Everyone ... Starting with Me," has spent more than six weeks on The New York Times best seller list. But those sales aren't coming from one of the country's biggest retailers - Costco - and apparently Rivers had showed up in protest.

"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," the 79-year-old Rivers said. "This is a First Amendment violation. You're banning a book because it says a funny quote by Marie Antoinette? Where is this going to lead us to?

"This is a store that sells 300 rolls of toilet paper at the same time, and I say any customer that buys 300 rolls of toilet paper deserves a funny book to sit on the toilet and read."

A video obtained exclusively by Eyewitness News shows fans eager to meet Rivers.

Larry Grossman, who arrived at the store to shop, said he saw Rivers selling her book outside the store. About 10 minutes later, he said she was inside with her books. That's when Grossman said he heard a store manager talking to an employee.

"The employee said, 'What's going on here?' He said, 'Well, Costco has not agreed to sell her book because there's some things in there they find offensive. But she decided to come here anyway and sell the book,'" said Grossman.

The comedienne wore sunglasses and held a megaphone as she stood inside, signing copies of the publication. Moments later, the police arrived. Rivers complied with the officers' request and left.

No criminal charges were filed.

Calls to Costco seeking comments were not returned.

Get more Hollywood Wrap »

celebrity, hollywood wrap, george pennacchio

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•