Joan Rivers: 'I thought of Rich idea'

Joan Rivers has admitted that she devised the premise for her series How'd You Get So Rich?.

The winner of this season's US Celebrity Apprentice said that she was inspired to create her show after seeing mansions in real life.

She told TV Guide: "I always would pass by places in the strangest cities - huge houses, big money, gorgeous cars - and always would say, 'How'd they get so rich?'

"So I thought: 'Wouldn't it be fun to do a show where you just go to the door and ask them?'"

The 76-year-old comedian also explained that the TV Land programme could be controversial, in light of the recent global economic crisis.

She added: "It's about the American dream - and [it's] funny. New money will tell you [their story]. And that's the wonderful ones because they've made it very recently and are happy."

Rivers was recently roasted for a Comedy Central special, which was hosted by Kathy Griffin.