tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post7074027217353995647..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: A COSBY writer weighs inBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19406044962114476362018-09-29T22:13:59.359-07:002018-09-29T22:13:59.359-07:00Blengele (The black Mengele, a.k.a. Cosby)is now i...Blengele (The black Mengele, a.k.a. Cosby)is now in prison where he belongs. He was a monster.Lisa Brewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07545357596235440665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40734339179919690792017-09-16T20:36:34.641-07:002017-09-16T20:36:34.641-07:00To be fair, it is doubtful that Carmen had any clu...To be fair, it is doubtful that Carmen had any clue of what was going on, as most people didn't know. Thats why it was so shocking, Bill Cosby was Americas favorote dad, mine included.<br /><br />He said he was only speaking of his experience as a writer, he wasn't attempting to twist or defend Cosbys character. His remarks where that of personal work experience, I don't doubt the truth of his words or his motives. How could he make an accurate statement of things he didnt witness? There were countless on that show who had no idea, there weren't looking the other way. Cosby had no accomplices, he acted alone, in private. Of course others have nothing negative to add. <br /><br />I personally think Cosby is guilty as sin. Sure, no matter what others saw, he is still a serial rapist. But Carmen Finestra is a good, decent, honest and kind man. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-91393046730641354942015-01-18T21:34:25.786-08:002015-01-18T21:34:25.786-08:00Now that we know that allegedly Cosby drugged and ...Now that we know that allegedly Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted/raped over 25 women, the original story in which he is portrayed as a thoughtless, controlling man, with a huge ego, and the need to humiliate other people seems about right to me. Children7https://www.blogger.com/profile/17643379243551748078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37534484291632409702014-12-22T10:05:55.316-08:002014-12-22T10:05:55.316-08:00PS Should've used a color photo, kind of passe...PS Should've used a color photo, kind of passes and not in a good way. Could make the reader think there is black male bias going on here. If you don't read deeper, you wouldn't know Italian.Not Anonymous Eithernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50744852335772099632014-12-21T17:35:43.259-08:002014-12-21T17:35:43.259-08:00'Anonymous' writes -- in a comment Ken rea...'Anonymous' writes -- in a comment Ken really ought to delete:<br />> Who the hell cares? He could have been an absolute saint, reading to blind orphans 7 times a week, he still is a serial rapist?<br /><br />That question mark won't save you. And if your telepathy is really that impressive, I need you to gin me up some lottery numbers.<br /><br />Alternatively, you could possibly, maybe, think about how *you* would want to be treated if you were arrested for something you didn't do... and shut the hell up.Baylinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02272104405451110054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37358047151420222812014-12-15T21:39:16.617-08:002014-12-15T21:39:16.617-08:00Someone said we're not here to talk about race...Someone said we're not here to talk about race or rape, but television. That is utter Bull. Why post this if it's not in response to black rape? <br />I like what the person above said, Carmen doesn't like it because TVLand ganked the Cosby show and the checks will be drying up.Not Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37811249935434509462014-12-15T15:17:21.173-08:002014-12-15T15:17:21.173-08:00I have no doubt that the author is expressing his ...I have no doubt that the author is expressing his honest observations about Cosby. Cosby has been vetted as a successful actor and has been taken seriously in acedemia. We already know that stuff. I wonder if a beautiful female writer would be articulating the same story or experience in working with Cosby. I have my doubts. I appreciate a person's desire to tell what they have observed, but it rings rather hollow given the very serious allegations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24628087859468921862014-12-15T08:48:20.817-08:002014-12-15T08:48:20.817-08:00Very stunned by this post.
"I know everyone...<br />Very stunned by this post. <br /><br />"I know everyone wants to jump on Bill Cosby now, but I thought he was a good boss."<br /><br />Who the hell cares? He could have been an absolute saint, reading to blind orphans 7 times a week, he still is a serial rapist?<br /><br />I cannot fathom why someone would decide to speak out about Cosby right now and make it about how good of a boss he was, how talented etc.<br />Even if they don't believe all those women (those many, many women).<br />That's just so creepy and distasteful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63188603070473197012014-12-15T07:29:31.017-08:002014-12-15T07:29:31.017-08:00Thank you Carmen for the post, and for your help i...Thank you Carmen for the post, and for your help in writing some of the great sitcoms in TV history.<br />The Cosby Show is still the best handbook for parenting I've ever seen. How the parents (and their parents) handled situations and each other is priceless. <br /><br />My question for Carmen (if possible) is: How did working on an East coast sitcom differ from working on a west coast show?The Bumble Bee Pendanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782074071758250824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53722336213006728302014-12-14T13:21:59.345-08:002014-12-14T13:21:59.345-08:00I really appreciate Carmen's response and Ken ...I really appreciate Carmen's response and Ken posting it. I, too, remember Carmen's name from Cosby and Home Improvement when I was growing up. Regardless of how I feel about Cosby's guilt or innocence in regard to the charges that are facing him today, it's interesting to hear more about the atmosphere in the writer's room and on set when his show was airing. After all, we all TYPICALLY come here for that type on insight, not judgment on current events.Katherine @ Grass Stainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01258123193553569060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27635894554743774102014-12-14T11:35:07.403-08:002014-12-14T11:35:07.403-08:00If Cosby had grown up in the South, he'd have ...If Cosby had grown up in the South, he'd have spent less time telling jokes and more time washing Paula Deen's dishes. Then he wouldn't be in this mess.Johnny Questnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-29583409038235939322014-12-14T11:01:45.100-08:002014-12-14T11:01:45.100-08:00The Leopard & Its Spots
In July 1997, Cosby t...The Leopard & Its Spots<br /><br />In July 1997, Cosby testified that he made private payments to Shawn Upshaw, a woman who had briefly been his lover in Las Vegas during the early 1970s. Upshaw later told Cosby that he was the father of her daughter, Autumn Jackson. Cosby denies being the father and said that he gave Upshaw a total of about $100,000 because he did not want her to publicly reveal the affair.<br /><br />As of early December 2014, at least 27 women have accused Cosby of raping and/or sexually assaulting them.<br /><br />On December 1, 2014, Cosby resigned from Temple University's board of trustees following pressure to do so, which included a Change.org petition with about 1,000 signatures.<br /><br />Cosby's 2011 honorary Chief Petty Officer award from the United States Navy was revoked on December 4, 2014 because of the sexual assault allegations against him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6245527874698633682014-12-14T11:01:20.083-08:002014-12-14T11:01:20.083-08:00I want to thank Ken for posting Carmen's respo...I want to thank Ken for posting Carmen's response and Carmen for posting his personal experience while working on The Cosby Show. This really does show how different people view the same experience.<br /><br />I also think this may apply to the recent Sorkin situation with the staff writer who tweeted about being sent out of the writers room. Although we only have a few tweets and not much by way of detail. She clearly posited that she was kicked out for arguing. Sorkin's response was that she was told to leave the room after arguing her point, was told they had to move on, she argued longer and wouldn't drop it and let them move on, so she was told to leave the room. Did it happened exactly that way? Maybe. Maybe its somewhere in between.Carsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77852962622609118672014-12-14T08:29:27.008-08:002014-12-14T08:29:27.008-08:00Sounds like someone hoping this whole thing will b...Sounds like someone hoping this whole thing will blow over so that the residual checks will keep coming in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75870849632336776542014-12-14T08:25:08.856-08:002014-12-14T08:25:08.856-08:00Actually, Bill's son Ennis was a grad student ...Actually, Bill's son Ennis was a grad student at Columbia, studying the be a teacher when he was murdered by a gang-banger while changing a tire off th 405 freeway.Norman Marcusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13695975471008793662014-12-14T06:46:46.677-08:002014-12-14T06:46:46.677-08:00I don't have any horse in the "Is Bill Co...I don't have any horse in the "Is Bill Cosby a good/bad guy" race. I just wanted to say it was awesome to read a post by Carmen Finestra. I was 7 when the Cosby Show first appeared, and I grew up with it, especially those first few classic seasons. And I specifically remember the name "Carmen Finestra" from the credits. So thanks for contributing to some great memories. Bill Jonesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4814030687684132092014-12-14T06:24:38.347-08:002014-12-14T06:24:38.347-08:00As anyone with an ex knows, there are always three...As anyone with an ex knows, there are always three sides to every story: His side, her side, and the truth.<br /><br />I guess which of the first two sides you believe depends on whom you hate the most. Those who really don't give a shit either way tend to go with the third side.ScottyBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71067594525312037852014-12-14T06:12:02.724-08:002014-12-14T06:12:02.724-08:00Are you up, Ken?Are you up, Ken?Diane D.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20826170727553176602014-12-14T03:08:28.103-08:002014-12-14T03:08:28.103-08:00I suffered through the Cincinnati riots of 2001 an...I suffered through the Cincinnati riots of 2001 and was afraid and inconvenienced. That was another incident where a black boy got shot by the cops and then all his relatives got violent with all the white people and closed down the city. Where was this boy ten years earlier? Was he not watching the Bill Cosby show and learning all the moral lessons Cosby was preaching on the show?<br />I think they all knew better and had a secret wink or handshake saying that the Cosby show was just propaganda to make white people think what they wanted us to think and there's Cosby the whole time, drugging and raping women. We're sick of all this, these people acting like their gas smells like roses and then the secrets come out that they do not practice what they preach.<br />What happened to Cosby's son, wasn't he a gangbanger that got shot and killed? Why didn't Cosby start the lessons in his own home instead of trying to preach to America, Oh I guess Cosby didn't know no better anyhow and all that on the show was just fluff and writers writing it and his son never stood a chance.Thomasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26461332824027222382014-12-14T01:42:03.140-08:002014-12-14T01:42:03.140-08:00Well am I ever sorry. But the only black people I...Well am I ever sorry. But the only black people I have any respect for are Ted Danson & Mickey Rooney.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87689382754164167542014-12-14T00:04:25.998-08:002014-12-14T00:04:25.998-08:00Mike and Anonymous..."uppity" is the wro...Mike and Anonymous..."uppity" is the wrong word.<br /><br />Many of the ones griping now liked Cosby because he WASN'T "uppity"...he got along and went along and didn't question the status quo too deeply (his routine with the punchline about sending the Shelby Mustang too powerful for him to handle over to George Wallace notwithstanding), achieving the success, then mega-success such folk adore.<br /><br />They fell in love with him when began chiding other blacks for not keeping their pants "uppity" enough--and not fitting into his personal standard of perfection.<br /><br />Now they just see him as barely one step above someone suspected of stealing cigars or selling un-taxed cigarettes.Paul Ducanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48115128496488299162014-12-13T23:35:45.197-08:002014-12-13T23:35:45.197-08:00Very cool that you posted this... thanks Ken.
Thi...Very cool that you posted this... thanks Ken.<br /><br />This is the problem with accusation and innuendo. The first person to stoop to the level of character assassination usually has a big advantage. <br />Also it's not how our minds work. We are predisposed to have confirmation bias when skilled manipulators push our buttons.<br /><br />This post is a PRIME example. Carmen worked with Mr. Cosby for 5 and a half years... but in the comment section here there are many who would dismiss Carmen's claims of the pleasant Cosby.<br /><br />Furthermore as humans we usually give people the benefit of the doubt EQUALLY. In other words ... if five people say something is black and the Pope (one person) says it's white... well as humans we tend to believe the 5 people over a highly credible opposing view. Never mind that the 5 people could have been residents of a mental institution... never mind that the Pope has a greater motive to be a truth teller than most average people. We as humans take the multiple over the one in almost every case.<br /><br />But here's the thing. In professional endeavors there is a score card where people can establish that one person's opinion is more important than the multitude. I corporations it's rank. The CEO's decision is usually more determining of corporate direction than 10,000 workers.<br /><br />In entertainment J. J. Abrams opinion on Star Wars story direction is more important than the ENTIRE Star Wars fanbase... ONE opinion is more important than the opinion of Millions.<br /><br />With this in mind it might be good to consider the source. AND I might add RANK the value of someones unsworn testimony in the public square.<br />For example the first (in this round) to accuse Bill Cosby of Sexual Whatever was stated to be an actress. Ok fair enough I looked up her IMDB to find out where she worked with Cosby. Nothing showed no IMDB no Wikipedia nada. Hmmmm... Ok so here we have a legend in entertainment with IMDB credits going decades and on the other side we have a nobody. Hmmmm.<br /><br />Oh but wait we have 5 other nobodys come forward too! Well there MUST be something to this right?<br /><br />I think this is a silly assertion. 5 stupid people saying stupid things with unknown agendas does not a fact make. Our brains fool us sometimes into thinking reality is different. Ken has asserted that out of ALL the nobodys that pitched a story or show to him. ALL were duds and didn't spark an interest. But yet we hear multiple rumors from multiple nobodys who we WOULD NOT EVER get story ideas from. AND WHAM! we believe those rumors now! Perhaps story pitches should only be rumor and innuendo from now on right? <br /><br />Why is this? Human nature I suppose but truth is not to be found in the mob methinks.Angry Gamernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-34273295717688091442014-12-13T23:10:13.471-08:002014-12-13T23:10:13.471-08:00Wow, all these years I thought Carmen Finestra was...Wow, all these years I thought Carmen Finestra was a woman. Another Hollywood illusion shattered!cadavranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89483980569212730202014-12-13T21:23:41.865-08:002014-12-13T21:23:41.865-08:00All of this is fascinating. I work in the media an...All of this is fascinating. I work in the media and love knowing about all the inner workings of how shows are created, written, produced, etc. The one thing I will throw in is that every TV show, Movie, Play etc have one similar element. They are all created by humans. Perfectly imperfect humans. With feelings and ego's and agendas. Plus all of these people are highly creative and as Mr. finestra has shown, articulate with their thoughts and recollections.<br /><br />For starters these are thoughts and recollections from over 20 years ago. Isn't it possible in some minds eye history has dulled reality? And also magnified thoughts from highly creative imperfect people? <br /><br />In laymans terms: Im sure The writers' who have had smoke blown in their face and remember Cosby as a slave drive are right. And Im sure Mr Finestra is right remembering Cosby as a great talent and boss. The difference is egos, agendas and life experience. Some people can gain from coming out with bad news about Cosby. Some also can benefit from not raking Cosby through the mud either.<br /><br />Also, and im sure both Ken and Mr Finestra can attest to this, there is a big difference between an Executive Producer and a staff writer. The difference between anyone in upper management and a worker on the line is great. Management usually are out of touch with the common man. Power and money can do that. Im not saying Mr Finestra is out of touch with writers, but having a close personal relationship with Cosby might skew his recollections of treatment. Especially after he left the show.<br /><br />Too be fair, Im sure everyone is telling the truth, and covering up a bit. Thats human nature. I will also say I have never heard a bad word said about working on Home Improvement, which Mr Finestra helped create. Same is to be said with Ken's experience and influence on Cheers or Frasier or Almost Perfect or MASH. Speaks alot about the staffs and the stars and the creators.<br /><br />Happy Holidays.Craig Russellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15054391453230340922014-12-13T20:46:20.112-08:002014-12-13T20:46:20.112-08:00The posts by Earl Pomeranz about working on the be...The posts by Earl Pomeranz about working on the beginning of "The Cosby Show" (referenced by Johnny Walker) are in the archive of "Earl Pomeranz: Just Thinking". They are quite good, and give a great look at how the show developed.<br /><br />They are from June 19, 20 and 23, 2008, under the headings "Story of a Writer - Part Fifteen B", "Story of a Writer - Part Fifteen C", and "Story of a Writer - Part Fifteen D".<br /><br />They are well written, no surprise, by a gifted talent. I highly recommend them. Many of the early shows Earl wrote, like the Dead Goldfish episode, and produced,like "The Shirt Story" (script by John Markus) were classics. In the latter episode, Denise tried to make Theo a duplicate of a designer shirt. It contained one of my favorite lines from the series. When Cliff discovers that Theo bought a designer shirt, on his Dad's credit card, that cost $95, he was told to return it. As Cliff explained, "No 12-year old boy should have a $95 shirt, unless he's on stage singing with his four brothers" Obviously, a reference to Michael Jackson. The line was written in 1984.Carmen Finestranoreply@blogger.com