Melissa Rivers looks elegant in black gown at the Daytime Emmys... as she attends for tribute to her late mother Joan Rivers

By Helen Zhao for MailOnline

Published: 21:05 EST, 26 April 2015 | Updated: 03:20 EST, 27 April 2015

The Daytime Emmys held a tribute to the late Joan Rivers on Sunday.

So it was likely a poignant night for the late comic legend's daughter, Melissa Rivers, who attended the ceremony at Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, Los Angeles on Sunday.

The Fashion Police executive producer oozed elegance in a strapless black gown featuring exquisite white floral embroidery, a full tulle skirt, and a sweetheart neckline.

Poignant night: Melissa Rivers attended the Daytime Emmys at Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, Los Angeles on Sunday

The 47-year-old, who is mom to 14-year-old son Cooper, wore her hair long, sleek, and straight with a side part.

She Instagrammed a photo of her mother on Sunday, writing: 'Looking forward to the Daytime Emmy tribute to my mom today. Winning her only Emmy was a special moment to her.'

Joan won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host in 1990, for her series, The Joan Rivers Show, which ran from 1989 to 1993. 

Nominated: E! News was up for Outstanding Entertainment News Program and Outstanding Special Class Special for E! Breaking News: Joan Rivers

The tribute to Joan on Sunday opened with a clip of Joan's acceptance speech for her Daytime Emmy in 1990.

A very tear eyed Melissa discussed what The Joan Rivers Show had done for Joan as a person, especially following the cancellation of her late night talk show and the suicide of her husband and Melissa's father, Edgar Rosenberg.

Melissa said that 'after some terrible lows in my mother's life... the daytime television community saved her,' and resulted in the only Emmy she would ever win.

Sentimental: A very tear eyed Melissa took to the stage to give a heartwarming speech about her mother

'This strong foundation reinvigorated her career and my mother felt loved and valued by the daytime community and for that, I will always be grateful.'

On Sunday, E! News was up for Outstanding Entertainment News Program and Outstanding Special Class Special for E! Breaking News: Joan Rivers.

E! Breaking News: Joan Rivers aired at the time of her death at age 81 on September 4, 2014, after complications from a throat operation in NYC on August 28.

Gratitude: She discussed what Joan's daytime show had done for Joan as a person, especially following the cancellation of her late night talk show and the suicide of her husband and Melissa's father, Edgar Rosenberg

At the time, Melissa released a statement saying: '…Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received from around the world.

'They have been heard and appreciated. My mother's greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon.'

Melissa and her mother had collaborated professionally for many years.

Joan hosted Fashion Police since its inception in 2010 while Melissa serves as executive producer.

Flashback: Melissa Instagrammed this photo on Sunday, writing, 'Looking forward to the Daytime Emmy tribute to my mom today. Winning her only Emmy was a special moment to her'

Following Joan's death, the show took a three month hiatus, returning in January 2015, with Kathy Griffin taking Joan's place.

However, Kathy parted ways with the program after hosting just seven episodes, claiming that as a feminist, she did not agree with having to make fun of women's bodies. 

The 54-year-old funnywoman's departure came shortly after Kelly Osbourne left the show in February, having hosted since the very beginning.

Family: Melissa pictured with comic legend Joan - who passed away on September 4, 2014 - in May 2014 

Meanwhile, controversy had erupted after Fashion Police co-host Giuliana Rancic made 'racist' remarks about Zendaya's dreadlocks at the Oscars in February, saying she probably smelled of 'patchouli oil' and 'weed.'

It has been said that the remarks were scripted for Giuliana.

In March, E! announced that Fashion Police would be on hiatus until September, cancelling three episodes in the meantime.

'We look forward to taking this opportunity to refresh the show before the next awards season,' the network said in a statement. 

Unconditional love: The Fashion Police executive producer and her mother pictured in July 1992  

However, ex-Fashion Police writers have revealed that many industry insiders believe the demise of the popular E! series was inevitable after Joan's death, because its current stars can't unapologetically get away with the comedian's no holds barred brand of humour.

'Joan isn't there to make it all work,' Todd Masterson, a former Fashion Police writer told Cosmopolitan in March. 

'She had decades of saying the most offensive things under her belt. Now the pressure was on everyone else to make provocative jokes.'

Comments (12)

Share what you think

• Newest
• Oldest
• Best rated
• Worst rated

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

Enter your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Submit Comment Clear

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now