Bill Cosby may soon be returning to stand up comedy, at least according to statements given by his representative. Cosby was once given the endearing nickname “America’s Dad” during his stint playing Dr. Huxtable on The Cosby Show. The beloved sitcom aired almost a decade, spanning most of the 80s. The sitcom piggybacked off his recorded comedy routines and made his name a household staple for generations.
While Cosby was undoubtedly one of the century’s top comedic performers, his legacy would forever be tarnished by sexual assault allegations. Over fifty women have come forward and accused Cosby of assaulting them. Most of the accusations include manipulating and drugging women before ultimately raping them. Although the allegations date back to the ’60s, news broke about Cosby’s actions in 2014 and an explosion of accusers came forward. American supermodel Janice Dickinson is just one of many that have come forward bringing legal action against Cosby. Cosby was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to ten years in prison. This sentence proved to be short-lived as Cosby was released last week due to new evidence turned over in an appeal.
What is Cosby going to do with his newfound freedom? It appears that he is looking for an opportunity to reclaim his career. While nothing has been officially confirmed, it is very possible that Cosby may find himself on the stage again. In an interview with Inside Edition, Andrew Wyatt, Cosby’s spokesperson hinted that he may return to doing stand up comedy routines in the near future.
“A number of promoters have called. Comedy club owners have called. People want to see him.”
Wyatt’s statements are the first indications of what the future may hold for the defamed comedian. Cosby served three years of his sentence and has claimed to have suffered health issues during his incarceration. His eyesight is all but gone as Cosby has been deemed legally blind, a condition that continued to worsen in prison. Although he has not said much since his release, Cosby has restated his claims of innocence. His representative’s statement paints his client and his ambitions in a positive light but is the world probably isn’t ready for a Cosby return.
His release immediately gained national headlines and an eruption of diverse reactions. Opponents believe that the justice system has failed in lieu of another celebrity walking free without consequences of their actions. However, Cosby also has a large following that believes he was wrongly incarcerated and sentenced unfairly due to emotions in the wake of the #MeToo movement or because of his ethnicity. Even Cosby’s onscreen wife, Phylicia Rashad, has taken to voicing her mixed emotions on the controversy.
America’s reactions are definitely polarized and guaranteed to be a factor in venues considering his return. Cosby’s age and health may also prove to be another detrimental factor in his decision to attempt to revitalize his career. While Bill Cosby will most likely never be able to reclaim his patriarchal nickname, his future actions will undoubtably impact his legacy for better or worse.
