Cosby as racial compromise? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

ghessee · 08-01-2002, 12:30 AM

You're all reading this because you're Cosby fans in some way shape or form. I'm currently taking a class at Columbia University where Bill cosby was, earlier this summer, placed on a list of Booker T.'s. Basically, everyone in the course thinks he's a sellout who never attempted to help his race because he was too interested in mainstream culture. I've decide to make my final project a defense of the Cosby Show and I could use your help. If you have any thoughts upon this subject, please write me at ghessee@yahoo.com. We must protect the man!

ZeldaGilroy · 08-01-2002, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ghessee
You're all reading this because you're Cosby fans in some way shape or form. I'm currently taking a class at Columbia University where Bill cosby was, earlier this summer, placed on a list of Booker T.'s. Basically, everyone in the course thinks he's a sellout who never attempted to help his race because he was too interested in mainstream culture. I've decide to make my final project a defense of the Cosby Show and I could use your help. If you have any thoughts upon this subject, please write me at ghessee@yahoo.com. We must protect the man!

I have great respect for you...anyone who is willing to defend Bill Cosby and The Cosby Show against such ridicule is to be commended. Speaking as someone who grew up watching this show every Thursday night, I have heard this debate over Bill Cosby numerous times. I couldn't even attempt to count the number of times I've heard comments such as "this show is so phony" or "It is not a true representation of African-Americans."

It makes me sad to think that people feel Bill Cosby is a sell-out because he chose to do a show about a loving, affluent, African American family. This show teaches strong family values, and brought back the "family sitcom" in the days when TV was leaning more towards action programs and hour-long dramas. It was a show that was enjoyed by people of various cultures and backgrounds.

Bill Cosby is a wonderful comedian, and I have yet to find anyone who can compete with his classic family humor. Maybe it is true that there are not a lot of African American families with a doctor father and lawyer mother, but I'd bet there are not many Caucasian families like that either (I don't know any.) This show was groundbreaking, in that it introduced society to an African American family, without resorting to stereotypes as its sole means of humor.

The Cosby Show is about people, plain and simple. Yes, race is a part of who a person is...and I don't think this show ever denied, hid, or covered up the race of the Huxtable family. This family was proud of their culture, and that was apparent throughout the show. To me, the bottom line is this: The Cosby Show is a sitcom...and it is funny! That alone makes it worth watching!

TJL · 08-01-2002, 05:39 AM

The idea that Cosby was a sellout becasue of the content of the Cosby show is rediculous.

Factsfan is right...
Cosby wanted to show the African American viewers that African Americans can be depicted on TV as loving families with good jobs and lifestyles. Realistic? Hard to say, but how many sitcoms are realistic? But it was a step in the right direction.
Cosby showed folks that there should at least be an example on TV of African Americans who can achieve more.
Sellout? Hardly.

08-01-2002, 12:30 AM	#1
ghessee Member First Time Poster Join Date: Aug 01, 2002 Posts: 1	Cosby as racial compromise? You're all reading this because you're Cosby fans in some way shape or form. I'm currently taking a class at Columbia University where Bill cosby was, earlier this summer, placed on a list of Booker T.'s. Basically, everyone in the course thinks he's a sellout who never attempted to help his race because he was too interested in mainstream culture. I've decide to make my final project a defense of the Cosby Show and I could use your help. If you have any thoughts upon this subject, please write me at ghessee@yahoo.com. We must protect the man!

08-01-2002, 05:39 AM	#3
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	The idea that Cosby was a sellout becasue of the content of the Cosby show is rediculous. Factsfan is right... Cosby wanted to show the African American viewers that African Americans can be depicted on TV as loving families with good jobs and lifestyles. Realistic? Hard to say, but how many sitcoms are realistic? But it was a step in the right direction. Cosby showed folks that there should at least be an example on TV of African Americans who can achieve more. Sellout? Hardly.