Is It Okay To Watch Bill Cosby's Shows (or admit to it)? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 07-21-2016, 04:26 PM

Is it okay to watch any of Bill Cosby’s shows (or admit to it)? He made some good, positive television (oddly enough I’m not a fan of his biggest series, “The Cosby Show”). Because I started watching “The Bill Cosby Show” on DVD yesterday. First off I do NOT condone rape and think what he did was a horrible thing (50+ times) but I am able to separate the character from the person. And Chet Kincaid did not rape anyone… then again I’m only three episodes in, but I‘d be surprised if he did.

Mr. Television · 07-21-2016, 05:21 PM

You can watch whatever you want without feeling guilty. I still watch I Spy which is a great show. It's hard to watch without thinking of what Cosby did but that's just the way it is. Some can't watch anything he did and that's okay too. I've also watched the Naked Gun movies even though OJ's in them and I like a few Roman Polanski movies too. If you can separate the character from the actor than good for you. There were a lot of other people involved in these shows besides Cosby so I just look at them. lol

Babalu · 07-21-2016, 05:25 PM

OK for who?

Is someone going to come to your house and fine you?

If it doesn't bother you to watch the show then what difference does it make?

There are plenty of celebrities around that have done stupid or evil things.

I usually separate it by when I found out, such as with Jane Fonda. I'll watch the movies she made in the 1960's because I saw them back when I was a kid. But I won't watch anything she does today.

There's an actor named Jeffrey Jones. I know him best from Amadeus but most people know him from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, which I never saw. 10 or 15 years ago he was arrested and plead guilty to child molestation charges. He is actually on a TV commercial currently. I can't believe anyone would hire him. But I love Amadeus and won't stop watching it because he's in it.

Svenfan1234 · 07-21-2016, 06:08 PM

Well, it depends on your point of view--for me, yes it's okay, and I'm actually considering buying the complete series of "The Cosby Show" that Mill Creek released for $27 (or around there.) Along with "The Bill Cosby Show." It seems like he was a good character on his sitcoms, but "The Cosby Show" isn't really a knee-slapper sitcom for me, I can see myself just watching it to enjoy it.

Adamantium · 07-22-2016, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babalu

OK for who?

Is someone going to come to your house and fine you?

There's an actor named Jeffrey Jones. I know him best from Amadeus but most people know him from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, which I never saw. 10 or 15 years ago he was arrested and plead guilty to child molestation charges. He is actually on a TV commercial currently. I can't believe anyone would hire him. But I love Amadeus and won't stop watching it because he's in it.

I was just speaking generally. Like I watched a couple episodes of The Bill Cosby Show but decided not to post about it in the "What was the Last Show You Watched?" thread. It's then I decided to make this thread basically to discuss Cosby's work and see who's still able to watch it and how it affects them and in the process also mention that I watched the first few episodes of his '69 - '71 show (which I've own on DVD since it came out but had only watched a couple episodes in the past.

As for Jeffrey Jones, if he is who I think he is, I know him best from Beetlejuice and Howard the Duck. I also never saw Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

kclj520 · 08-23-2016, 02:44 PM

I too lost a lot of respect for Cosby when all of this came out, which was unfortunate, my wife and I had seen his live show, and my Grandparents thought he was hilarious, they saw his show in Tahoe years ago. Unfortunate. I personally don't enjoy his stuff now, and don't watch him.

tlc38tlc38 · 08-23-2016, 05:10 PM

I just feel for all the very talented actors involved in his shows. His "mishaps" have caused them to lose out on a lot of royalties.

Hazel Anyday · 11-12-2016, 10:44 PM

No, you must hang your head in shame.

king of comedy · 11-13-2016, 08:29 AM

Cosby is dead to me.

mets82 · 11-13-2016, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

Is it okay to watch any of Bill Cosby’s shows (or admit to it)? He made some good, positive television (oddly enough I’m not a fan of his biggest series, “The Cosby Show”). Because I started watching “The Bill Cosby Show” on DVD yesterday. First off I do NOT condone rape and think what he did was a horrible thing (50+ times) but I am able to separate the character from the person. And Chet Kincaid did not rape anyone… then again I’m only three episodes in, but I‘d be surprised if he did.

I have the same problem. I'm a big wrestling fan. In 2004, a promoter by the name of Rob Feinstein was caught trying to have sex with a minor. He does wrestling interviews. Now, the hard part for me and I stress about is on YouTube, people have uploaded many an interview with wrestlers that Feinstein and his company RF Video, have interviewed. Some of the documentaries on YouTube about wrestling has some of his interviews spliced in.

My question is should I watch any of those interviews and/or documentaries that are on YouTube? Now, I did buy videos from his website back in 1999. Is it ok to watch them? I did watch a little of the videos, maybe a few months ago. I did report Feinstein and the people who uploaded his interviews to YouTube but they didnt do anything. Think they said, they didn't violate YouTube rules or something. I did feel better doing something.

MayberryMan · 11-25-2016, 12:29 PM

I certainly don't think there's anything wrong with watching. I think knowing things that might have really been going on at the time can sometimes hurt the watching if you can't separate the actor from the character. But I remember the show and actually liked it the best of all his shows.

JJM · 02-09-2017, 02:56 PM

It depends if you can still look at him without wanting to trough something at you tv.

Retro4Life · 02-09-2017, 03:16 PM

It's a very personal decision. Like Sonny and ABH said, there are a lot of other people involved in the show besides the one who did something terrible. I guess it's not a big deal for me as I never liked The Cosby Show (at all), though I did like Fat Albert. I think it would feel weird to watch it, but regardless, there are some good messages for kids in it.

However, I totally understand the "not wanting to put money in his pocket" reasoning, too.

DJM77 · 02-09-2017, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

I was looking at the recent thread where someone did a set of surveys covering sitcoms 1950-1980s. I thought it was interesting that The Cosby Show still finished in the top half, while The Bill Cosby Show was nearly at the bottom. I was wondering if maybe people were hammering The Bill Cosby Show as punishment, since to hate The Cosby Show penalizes everyone else attached to it, too.

I'm sure that it had more to do with The Cosby Show being about 100 times more popular than The Bill Cosby Show.

OH Nuts! · 10-19-2017, 01:54 PM

I suppose. You can think someone is a reprobate but still think they have talent. But I never thought he was all that to begin with, so I've never watched his shows, guest appearances etc.

But given all that's transpired, at this point, HE REALLY TURNS MY STOMACH.

07-21-2016, 04:26 PM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,820	Is It Okay To Watch Bill Cosby's Shows (or admit to it)? Is it okay to watch any of Bill Cosby’s shows (or admit to it)? He made some good, positive television (oddly enough I’m not a fan of his biggest series, “The Cosby Show”). Because I started watching “The Bill Cosby Show” on DVD yesterday. First off I do NOT condone rape and think what he did was a horrible thing (50+ times) but I am able to separate the character from the person. And Chet Kincaid did not rape anyone… then again I’m only three episodes in, but I‘d be surprised if he did.

07-21-2016, 05:21 PM	#2
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	You can watch whatever you want without feeling guilty. I still watch I Spy which is a great show. It's hard to watch without thinking of what Cosby did but that's just the way it is. Some can't watch anything he did and that's okay too. I've also watched the Naked Gun movies even though OJ's in them and I like a few Roman Polanski movies too. If you can separate the character from the actor than good for you. There were a lot of other people involved in these shows besides Cosby so I just look at them. lol
	__________________ Sonny

07-21-2016, 05:25 PM	#3
Babalu Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 22, 2014 Posts: 4,779	OK for who? Is someone going to come to your house and fine you? If it doesn't bother you to watch the show then what difference does it make? There are plenty of celebrities around that have done stupid or evil things. I usually separate it by when I found out, such as with Jane Fonda. I'll watch the movies she made in the 1960's because I saw them back when I was a kid. But I won't watch anything she does today. There's an actor named Jeffrey Jones. I know him best from Amadeus but most people know him from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, which I never saw. 10 or 15 years ago he was arrested and plead guilty to child molestation charges. He is actually on a TV commercial currently. I can't believe anyone would hire him. But I love Amadeus and won't stop watching it because he's in it.
	__________________ . I just nailed Mrs. Trumbull

07-21-2016, 06:08 PM	#4
Svenfan1234 Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 12, 2015 Posts: 11,200	Well, it depends on your point of view--for me, yes it's okay, and I'm actually considering buying the complete series of "The Cosby Show" that Mill Creek released for $27 (or around there.) Along with "The Bill Cosby Show." It seems like he was a good character on his sitcoms, but "The Cosby Show" isn't really a knee-slapper sitcom for me, I can see myself just watching it to enjoy it.
	__________________ [

08-23-2016, 05:10 PM	#7
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,255	I just feel for all the very talented actors involved in his shows. His "mishaps" have caused them to lose out on a lot of royalties.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

08-23-2016, 02:44 PM	#6
kclj520 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 15, 2015 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 80	I too lost a lot of respect for Cosby when all of this came out, which was unfortunate, my wife and I had seen his live show, and my Grandparents thought he was hilarious, they saw his show in Tahoe years ago. Unfortunate. I personally don't enjoy his stuff now, and don't watch him.

11-12-2016, 10:44 PM	#8
Hazel Anyday Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 12, 2002 Posts: 2,135	No, you must hang your head in shame.
	__________________ Haaazeelll!!

11-13-2016, 08:29 AM	#9
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	Cosby is dead to me.

11-25-2016, 12:29 PM	#11
MayberryMan Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Nov 25, 2016 Location: Indiana Posts: 3	I certainly don't think there's anything wrong with watching. I think knowing things that might have really been going on at the time can sometimes hurt the watching if you can't separate the actor from the character. But I remember the show and actually liked it the best of all his shows.

02-09-2017, 02:56 PM	#12
JJM Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 05, 2016 Location: The 70s Posts: 100	It depends if you can still look at him without wanting to trough something at you tv.

02-09-2017, 03:16 PM	#13
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,706	It's a very personal decision. Like Sonny and ABH said, there are a lot of other people involved in the show besides the one who did something terrible. I guess it's not a big deal for me as I never liked The Cosby Show (at all), though I did like Fat Albert. I think it would feel weird to watch it, but regardless, there are some good messages for kids in it. However, I totally understand the "not wanting to put money in his pocket" reasoning, too.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

10-19-2017, 01:54 PM	#15
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	I suppose. You can think someone is a reprobate but still think they have talent. But I never thought he was all that to begin with, so I've never watched his shows, guest appearances etc. But given all that's transpired, at this point, HE REALLY TURNS MY STOMACH.