Bill Cosby has been under fire lately for numerous rape charges, a development that flies in the face of the fatherly persona he crafted over decades of stand-up comedy routines and acting.
This article from CNN explores the history of Bill Cosby as we know him, and it includes a link to an article from The New York Times entitled, “Before Obama, There Was Bill Cosby.” It’s safe to say that Bill has been influential in our popular culture over the last half century.
I grew up listening to my father’s CDs and cassette tapes of Cosby’s comedy routines. I didn’t watch much TV as a child, so I knew Cosby through his comedy routines rather than his role as Dr. Huxtable on The Cosby Show. Nevertheless, as a result of his family focus in his stand-up comedy, I still grew up viewing Cosby in the same warm, fatherly light that he crafted for himself in his role on The Cosby Show. I was extremely saddened to hear of these allegations, and while Cosby should certainly be considered innocent until proven guilty, the charges brought against him have not helped his reputation.
What I’d like to focus on is the role of television in enabling Cosby to be viewed as a father figure by millions, for decades on end. In the above CNN article, Cosby’s biographer, Mark Whitaker, has a telling statement about the influence of TV:
“Cosby was very aware of the power of television,” says Whitaker. “(When) coming into your living room to 35 and 40 million people a week, presenting a positive image — not only to white viewers but to black viewers — was deeply powerful and healthy.”
I believe that’s the reason these charges as garnering so much attention. So many people in America view Cosby as a sort of father figure that it hits us all in the gut to be told that he might not be quite the man we all think he is. Television, the medium that skyrocketed Cosby to widespread fame in the first place, is not his friend now that these allegations of rape are being aired.
Like I said before, he’s innocent until proven guilty. He’s helped millions of people through his family-friendly comedy (laughter is the best medicine!) and philanthropic work, and I would be very sad to see the public turn on him now. But the power of suggestion is causing many distressed fans to reevaluate the Cosby they thought they knew.
Television is a powerful medium. It can propel people to fame. It can destroy that fame by airing damaging information. And you can bet your farm that it’s influencing your political views.
Hollywood, D.C. 
