Even the executive producer of "The Cosby Show" believes the iconic series is damaged following the sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby.
Tom Werner, whose company Carsey-Werner was behind the sitcom, spoke about the accusations against Cosby in relation to "The Cosby Show" at the Television Critics Association summer press tour on Friday. "I certainly think that at the moment the show is kind of tarnished," Werner told TV Insider.
The producer wouldn't comment directly on the allegations, which include over 40 who women have accused Cosby of sexual assault. However, Werner told The Hollywood Reporter following the TCA panel for his new Starz series "Survivor's Remorse" that he hopes audiences can still distinguish the accusations from the show itself. "Obviously it’s a challenging time for Bill Cosby and a challenging time for the show," Werner told THR, "but I’m hoping that people will still be able to watch the show and identify with the Huxtables."
Werner and his producing partner Marcy Carsey have remained silent on Cosby's allegations since releasing a joint statement last November. “The Bill we know was a brilliant and wonderful collaborator on a show that changed the landscape of television," they said in the statement. "These recent news reports are beyond our knowledge or comprehension."
Since the allegations garnered attention last year, multiple networks have pulled "Cosby Show" reruns, including Bounce TV, BET's Centric and TV Land. The most recent "Cosby Show" star to speak about the sexual assault accusations was Joseph C. Phillips, who penned an essay on his website last month titled, "Of Course Bill Cosby Is Guilty."
For more, head to TV Insider and THR.
The Women Who Have Accused Bill Cosby Of Sexual Assault
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