Bill Cosby's last stand? Embattled comedian defiant amid allegations
Embattled comedian Bill Cosby was back on stage in Denver Saturday night. Demonstrators outside the theater said Cosby needs to stop performing in public because of growing allegations of sexual assault. But Cosby remains defiant.
So far, more than 30 women have accused the 77-year-old comedian of drugging and raping them. The allegations go back decades.
"When you look at the way Bill Cosby has just continued to perform," said Variety co-editor-in-chief Andrew Wallenstein, "it suggests either that he's kind of tone deaf to what is going on here or simply chosen to persevere in hopes that perhaps he could beat this by just hanging in there."
Cosby has not responded publicly to the accusations. None have been proven, and his attorney says they're not true.
This week, 24-year-old model Chloe Goins was interviewed by police in Los Angeles. She claims Cosby sexually assaulted her at the Playboy Mansion in 2008. On Friday, the comedian's attorney said he can prove Cosby "was in New York" when the alleged assault occurred.
What if the allegations aren't true?
"That would be positively tragic for Bill Cosby," Wallenstein said. "On the other hand, in the court of public opinion, it almost doesn't matter. It's as if there's been so much smoke, it's the same thing as fire."
And some of Cosby's Hollywood peers are fanning the flames. Director Judd Apatow has lashed out on Twitter. This week, he explained why on a podcast with comedian Marc Maron.
"People who commit these acts should be in prison," Apatow said. "I'm not comfortable with him running around the country doing stand-up like nothing's happening."
NBC recently canceled a new show it was planning with Cosby. On Friday, the network's entertainment chairman, Robert Greenblatt, said the controversy had reached a "critical mass" and "I'm glad that we're out from under that."
Greenblatt said NBC -- the network where Cosby reached his greatest fame -- won't employ him again.
"That's kind of precedent-setting," Wallenstein said. "It's hard to see how he's really going to be able to work in this town again."
For now, Cosby continues his stand-up show on the road, hoping the laughs are louder than the outcry.
