(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Joan Rivers gets frustrated when people talk about her in the past tense.

The 77-year-old comic has had a hugely successful career spanning five decades, although she admits she doesnt like it when people cite her as a source of inspiration for todays stars such as Tina Fey and Sarah Silverman.

Joan admires those women but she doesnt see why she should be hailed as a comic who paved the way whilst shes still alive and working on new material.

"I want to go, 'No, I'm paving. Look at what I'm doing now," the star confided in an interview with British newspaper The Guardian.

The talented star also revealed she has no desire to receive a lifetime achievement award anytime soon, as she sees them as a sign of imminent death. Joan laughed that whenever people at award ceremonies give recipients a standing ovation, it usually means they are unwell and could pass away soon.

"No, I'm so lucky. I'm making a life. You always get awards right before you're going to die. I always say 'if they give you a standing ovation, they've spoken to your doctor'," she joked. (C) Cover Media