We Need to Talk About Cosby (Showtime)
 

A revealing four-part documentary series from writer/director W. Kamau Bell offering a deeply personal exploration of Bill Cosby’s descent from “America’s Dad” to alleged sexual predator. Exploring the complex story of Cosby’s life and work, Bell invites comedians, educators, journalists and Cosby survivors to have a refreshingly candid, first of its kind conversation about the man, his career and his crimes. Bell takes an unfiltered look at his legacy and the unexpected ramifications for an industry that enabled him.
Part One Premieres Sunday, January 30th. All episodes are currently available on Showtime Anytime.

I just watched the first episode and it is fascinating (and an interesting companion piece to A&E's "Secrets of Playboy" documentary series that started last Monday). The first episode tells stories of his early career and his status as a Television pioneer (including an interesting story about Black stunt performers), but also tells some stories about his behavior with women.

Re: We Need to Talk About Cosby (Showtime )
 

Been hearing about this.

So are all of the episodes available now, as if says, or just the first part of the four?

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They're all available on Showtime Anytime as of now (not sure about On Demand). It seems like they'll be weekly on the channel.

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Damn. Watched 3 of the 4 tonight. Could. not . Put. It . Down

Fascinating show about Cosby from way back. Interesting which people participated in it.

I loved Bill Cosby. Bought the DVDs of the tv show, went to see him live, so hearing all the warning signs from the 1960s and 70s and on up until the 2000s is stunning and gross.

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Sucks he did a lot and was a great role model for a lot of people but blew it and his reputation with all of those crimes

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I think it sucks more for the women.

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His reputation suffering shouldn't be a problem worth mentioning. He is a damn serial rapist.

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The only thing I'd say about his reputation is that for so long he was seen as this really cool guy and educator. Of all the stuff he did, I have the fondest memories of shows like Picture Pages and the Brown Hornet. There's so many people that looked up to him and unfortunately need to be made aware of his actions. The discussion should be does that affect everything else he did or said? The Cosby Show had him as an exasperated but generally loving father* and husband, and as much as we don't want to admit, we often use TV characters as our role models.

So, in that regards, his reputation needs to be considered, with how he has affected so many people over the years.

Is this only on Showtime?



*except for missing Theo's learning disabilities all those years.

Re: We Need to Talk About Cosby (Showtime)
 

Yes, this is only available on Showtime.

I just fired up Showtime and saw all 4 episodes are available and started the 1st one. Wow, the Spanish Fly joke. -eek- That was a subliminal sign of things to come.

Obviously no one really close to him would talk during this documentary., but Bell has a mixture of pundits, actors and scholars who are familiar with Cosby and his background. I was surprised to see Michael Jai White.

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He was really obsessed with Spanish Fly, wasn't he?

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I finished the first episode and I’m halfway through the second. I’m just flabbergasted that he got away with all that over 40 to 50 years even while “happily” married. And I loved how they kind of shit on his educational history :lol:

The poor lady who’s son drowned and then drugged and raped her. Fuck man. Evil :(

Re: We Need to Talk About Cosby (Showtime)
 

Just finished all 4 episodes. I grew up watching Cosby and revered him as did many others. Such an effin villain, deserved to die in prison. A malignant narcissist who couldn't stand any criticism and in his own sick mind, thought what he was doing wasn't wrong (reminds me of a certain Orange criminal). Very good series, though, highly recommended.

Re: We Need to Talk About Cosby (Showtime)
 

The streaming service here in Canada that has Showtime original programming only has the first episode up so far, but it was riveting, damn.


Yeah, it was crazy that he was doing Spanish Fly jokes way back then and no one raised an eyebrow (different era I guess). And it was even crazier that he seemed to be obsessed with it for many many years.

That was a heartbreaking story. :(

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Speaking of Spanish Fly, did everyone forget about that one episode of the Cosby Show where Cliff drugged the barbecue sauce to make the women horny?

At the time, I thought it was kind of weird and a little creepy to include in a family-centered sitcom, but with all of the stuff that's come out, holy shit!

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You really have to wonder who all knew about his behavior on Cosby Show set. I bet it was more than a few people.

He truly is a suck fuck. He could go to a club and have any woman he wanted and he decides to drug and rape women instead.

And that wife of his, Camille, is just a damn fool for staying with him all these years too.

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Yeah, I totally forgot about that episode. When the episode originally aired, I looked at it more innocently. I assumed they kept it more wholesome making them want to kiss instead of wanting to bang. Looking back with all the info on Cosby, it's creepy as fuck and I'm sure he was living out his drugging-women fantasy in plain sight. His obsession with Spanish fly is just more proof.

In the few stories where Cosby would be really pissed when the women refused to drink or take the pills shows how important it was to him. Normally the reaction would be the guy thinking "shit, she's not taking it. I guess I'm not getting some action tonight" instead of straight out open anger at them. It was obvious it wasn't about having sex, it was about having sex with an unconscious woman - probably to feel a sense of power.

And Dr. Huxtable being a OBGYN is a curious occupation. Could've been any other type of doctor. I really wonder if that was Cosby's idea.

And Phylicia Rashad can shut the fuck up. "This is about the obliteration of legacy"... like all these women are lying for the sole purpose of destroying his legacy. She knows he's guilty - she just doesn't want to admit it.

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Man, I don't remember seeing that particular episode of The Cosby Show, wow! :eek:

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The epsiode can be viewed here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5vmg0k

Dailymotion to the rescue. The really creepy stuff is after about the nineteen minute mark. Cliff's daughter, Sondra, even looks she's about to go unconscious! -eek-

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Its actually about the 22:00 mark, and yep, pretty creepy! Wow...

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W. Kameau Bell was on Maron for a in depth interview

It is long but good background noise if you are doing chores or exercising.

He said some people told him he was a sellout for doing this doc.

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I watched the first three and 20 minutes of the 4th show last night.

In show 4 I’m nearLy in tears over this.

Lili Bernard and the woman who lost her son are especially heartbreaking.
Bernard because of her then husband telling her to keep quiet and not to come out with that news.
Then her son comes down and tells her she needs to speak out.

This is devastating, still.
I’m a white guy who was middle to late 20’s when that first Cosby show aired in the 80’s-90’s and I loved that show. Is was amazing.

The Fat Albert show was huge for me as a little kid in Philly in the 70’s.
Our catholic grade school showed us one of his stand up specials to us in class.

Now the things Are coming out bout Jerry Lewis who WAS my favorite movie star when I was a kid.
I couldn’t get enough of him. Our local uhf channel showed his movies every Sunday. Double feature every week.


Who will be next.
I know there will be more.

Re: We Need to Talk About Cosby (Showtime)
 

Would it be hard to separate the art from the man for these guys?

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I wouldn't rewatch The Cosby Show anyway, but couldn't enjoy it, although I loved it as a child and teenager. When I see Bill Cosby I see a rapist. I have no problem watching stuff with Kevin Spacey and I would watch new movies, too. But Bill Cosby is burned. I can't separate the art from the man. For me he isn't an actor who mistepped, he's a serial rapist, who had a career in Hollywood.

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I don’t have showtime so unfortunately I can’t check this out. In regards to Jeff’s post, I had very little interest in rewatching the Cosby Show even before everything fell apart. I can say I still find his comedy albums humorous. I’ll still chuckle when he gets lampooned in old Simpsons episodes.
I never had much of an affinity for Jerry Lewis. I mostly found him unfunny and obnoxious​​​​​.

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I won’t separate it.

When you know what he was doing and hear his stand up when he talks about women and Spanish fly and see him on that show the context changes to “oh he was drugging and raping women and he used that for his comedy bits.”