Melissa Rivers Slams Former ‘Fashion Police’ Co-Host Kathy Griffin: 'Don’t Crap All Over My Mother'

Melissa Rivers defended her late mother's “Fashion Police” legacy during a talk on Tuesday at the 92nd Street Y in New York City while promoting her new book, “The Book of Joan.” She discussed the drama surrounding the E! show, shared her personal feelings on how Kathy Griffin handled her exit after stepping in for Joan, saying this “would have never happened if she [Joan Rivers] was alive.”

“Just like a family, when the matriarch dies, the sisters started fighting, someone tried to marry in, not a great match, live and learn," Rivers told television host Hoda Kotb in front of fans.

"My biggest complaint was the feeling that she kind of s--t all over my mother's legacy in her statement on leaving," Rivers continued. "I know everything was so heightened and everybody was so crazy, but that was my takeaway."

Rivers added, “I understand what you were doing, you're trying to save yourself, but don't crap all over my mother to do it."

When Hoda asked Rivers if she was glad Kathy was part of “Fashion Police,” she joked to the audience, “Is anyone recording anything?” Rivers then politely responded, “All I'm going to say, it wasn't a match… on a lot of levels.”

The show was a special connection to her mother, Rivers revealed. “'Fashion Police' was this little jewel, and it was the last piece I had of my mother and I working together, and I felt like all these people were so out of control.” She added, “They took the last thing I had and smashed it.”