Image Source: Senator Chris Coons, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
What Was the Accusation?
Comedian and actor Bill Cosby faced escalating public criticism in late 2014 as more than 20 women publicly accused him of rape, sexual assault, or other sexual misconduct, with many alleging that he had drugged them before the encounters. Most of the accusations concerned incidents said to have occurred years or decades earlier. The controversy intensified after comedian Hannibal Buress called Cosby a rapist during an October 2014 stand-up performance and video of the remarks circulated widely online. Women including Barbara Bowman, Joan Tarshis, Janice Dickinson, and Beverly Johnson subsequently repeated or publicly detailed accusations involving Cosby. His attorneys denied many of the allegations and challenged the credibility or accuracy of several accounts.
Cosby himself largely declined to answer questions about the accusations. During an Associated Press interview recorded on November 6, 2014, he refused to address whether the allegations were true and later asked that the exchange not be shown. The Associated Press eventually released the footage as the controversy grew. In December, Cosby spoke briefly by telephone with reporter Stacy Brown. Rather than directly address the sexual assault allegations, he said he expected Black media to maintain high standards of journalism and approach the controversy with a neutral mind. He also praised his wife Camille’s strength and support before ending the conversation because, he said, advisers did not want him speaking with the media.
Cosby’s attorney John P. Schmitt later objected to the way the conversation had been reported, asserting that Brown had not told Cosby that he was conducting an interview for publication, writing for the New York Post, or recording the call. The controversy produced substantial professional consequences. Netflix postponed a Cosby comedy special, NBC abandoned a television project involving him, TV Land removed The Cosby Show from its schedule, Cosby stepped down from Temple University’s board of trustees, and Spelman College suspended an endowed professorship associated with Bill and Camille Cosby.
Key Apologia Strategies:
Denial, Attacking the Accuser, Bolstering
Video
Transcript
Bill Cosby — Associated Press Interview, November 6, 2014 — Excerpts:
When asked whether he wanted to respond to the sexual assault allegations, Cosby replied:
“No, no, we don’t answer that.”
He subsequently added:
“There is no response.”
After the interview, Cosby asked that the exchange not be used:
“I would appreciate it if it was scuttled.”
Bill Cosby — Telephone Conversation with Stacy Brown, December 2014 — Excerpts:
Discussing news coverage of the allegations, Cosby said:
“I only expect the black media to uphold the standards of excellence in journalism…”
Asked about his wife Camille’s support, Cosby said:
