The segment started with a clip of Joan accepting her Daytime Emmy for best talk show host, for "The Joan Rivers Show", 25 years ago - "the only Emmy she would ever win," according to Melissa, said The Hollywood Reporter.
Melissa also noted that the accolade came during a time in Joan's life that was challenging both personally (following the suicide of her husband, Edgar Rosenberg) and professionally.
It "invigorated her career," Melissa said.
Melissa also introduced the "In Memoriam" segment paying tribute to others in the daytime industry who died over the past year.
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In a surprising twist, there were two winners for the coveted title of Outstanding Drama Series, with "Days of Our Lives" sharing the honour with "The Young and the Restless" at this year's Daytime Emmys.
"Days of Our Lives" won another prize in Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series category for Freddie Smith's performance as Sonny Kiriakis.
"Y&R", meanwhile, was a big winner in terms of number with a total of four, including Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Amelia Heinle, Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series for Hunter King and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for Ray Wise.
"Bold and the Beautiful" also took home multiple prizes. In addition to the best guest actor award, the show won accolades for its writing team and directing team.
"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" was named Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment. The best entertainment talk show host, meanwhile, went to Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan of "Live! with Kelly and Michael". "Steve Harvey" nabbed the Outstanding Game Show Outstanding Talk Show / Informative title, while "Jeopardy!" won Outstanding Game Show.
The show was broadcast live on Pop, marking Daytime Emmys' return to television after it only streamed online last year.