tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post8544327547734055068..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Bill Cosby: mentor?By Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57508429577820756722015-01-17T19:46:13.027-08:002015-01-17T19:46:13.027-08:00Cosby is a sociopathic rapist. Everything about h...Cosby is a sociopathic rapist. Everything about him is fake. Including his doctoral degree. <br /><br />According to Michael Eric Dyson, sociology professor at Georgetown University:<br /><br />"[Cosby] dropped out of high school after he flunked the tenth grade three times. He enlisted in the Navy, where he got his GED, and then enrolled at Temple University, where he dropped out to pursue a show business career. His unfinished bachelor’s degree from Temple was eventually bestowed on him because of “life experience.” <br /><br />Reginald Damerell, professor who served on Cosby’s doctoral dissertation committee, said Cosby barely took a class — he got course credit for appearing on Sesame Street and The Electric Company, “and wrote a dissertation that analyzed the impact of his show.”<br /><br /> The Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon tweeted recently that Cosby paid two Fat Albert writers to write his thesis.<br /><br />Infuriatingly, Cosby once publically bullied a college football player to tears because he had a 2.5 grade average.<br /><br />"What do you think of a 2.5 average?" Cosby asked. <br /><br />"I think it's decent," replied Brown, who was recently drafted by pro football's Indianapolis Colts. <br /><br />Cosby snarled back: "2.5 is OK if you have a mental disorder. You should be ashamed of yourself. You should have worked harder." <br /><br />Tears streamed down the 290-lbs. Brown's face as he tried to defend himself: "I worked hard. I did my best..." <br /><br />But Cosby cut him short. "You didn't do enough." <br /> <br />http://deadspin.com/bill-cosby-once-publicly-bullied-a-notre-dame-football-1661325778Children7https://www.blogger.com/profile/17643379243551748078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-12109381590409160202014-11-19T08:28:50.269-08:002014-11-19T08:28:50.269-08:00"But I just don't want to live in a world..."But I just don't want to live in a world where Bill Cosby, archetypal father to us all, is a rapist."<br /><br />Unfortunately, evidently, we do.Eggheadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50103935722598830282014-11-06T11:27:49.157-08:002014-11-06T11:27:49.157-08:00Growing up in the 80s, I was indoctrinated into co...Growing up in the 80s, I was indoctrinated into comedy by temple of Thursday night NBC sitcoms. Being a child of mixed heritage, My Mom who is black insisted we watch the Cosby show with undying reverence. I grew up loving Bill Cosby and as an adult I find myself giving him more allowance than I would ANYONE else. To his treatment of others--as a Black kid from the Philly projects it takes an insane amount of brass and swagger to propel yourself from that world by breaking into entertainment with comedy. Penetrating that institutional racism, not only with mere success but with <i>panache</i>, is a monumental feat. I recently read the story of him punching Tommy Smothers in the back of the head--Smothers and others (rhyme non-intentional) called Cosby a violent rogue, but to pass judgement about a Black person's involvement in civil rights and opposition of the Vietnam war was incredibly pedantic of Smothers as Nixon made no qualms of persecuting Black entertainers with more fervor than he would Whites. Now, I say all this, yet I am still upset with Cosby. I really don't want to believe the accusations of him being a rapist. But that's me giving hima benefit a doubt again. If any other man had 13+ women with matching stories of being sedated and raped I wouldn't hesitate to say haul that bastard in. But I just don't want to live in a world where Bill Cosby, archetypal father to us all, is a rapist. <br />-Sorry for the meandering thoughts<br />GeoffGeoffrey Vasilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05359528432864824072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55237476751396119772014-02-12T19:17:22.732-08:002014-02-12T19:17:22.732-08:00Sorry but Andy Griffith lived in our town and it i...Sorry but Andy Griffith lived in our town and it is well known that he was an asshole. He would come into a special room and the local restaurant and no one...including the staff...was to make eye contact with him. He hated fans.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79877888923577524362014-01-20T21:23:35.325-08:002014-01-20T21:23:35.325-08:00I drove limo part time several years back and I ha...I drove limo part time several years back and I had to pick bill asshole cosby up from the airport. He was the rudest/racist son of a bitch Toward me. He referred to me as BOY over 7 times as if he was the man with the power now and simple little white me was his servent. His comedy SUCKS. His show SUCKED and he smelled like someone blew a cigar into the inside of a wet fake leg. BILL + COSBY= RACISTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70472021926639415502012-07-23T00:10:46.121-07:002012-07-23T00:10:46.121-07:00A quick internet search yielded the suggestion tha...A quick internet search yielded the suggestion that it was actually Cockroach using chemicals in his hair that Cosby didn't like. It said Carl Anthony Payne explained it on some radio show. I dont' know if that's true though; I'm just repeating it FYI.selection7noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57198019443750547972012-07-09T18:41:07.389-07:002012-07-09T18:41:07.389-07:00@Anonymous, Payne said that was the reason he was ...@Anonymous, Payne said that was the reason he was fired. You seem to be implying that it was something much more serious. If that's so, then I guess it's understandable. But it doesn't refute all these other stories about him unless they're all lying.A Non-Emusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-18517759620333049862012-07-09T13:54:00.990-07:002012-07-09T13:54:00.990-07:00Perhaps, but it is also true that happy employees ...Perhaps, but it is also true that happy employees are productive employees, and treating them like dirt is not a sure-fire way to get them to give 110%. Folks like Jack Benny and Dick Van Dyke treated the writers like royalty and look what happened. Just sayin'.cadavranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-65010773414277592152012-07-08T23:02:14.657-07:002012-07-08T23:02:14.657-07:00And thats why cosby is a household name and a gazi...And thats why cosby is a household name and a gazillionaire, and those writers are well, writers.<br /><br />I do feel sorry for them, but hey you have to pay your dues, especially if you want to work with the best. <br /><br />All that torture doesnt seem too costly a price to pay, to work on a #1 tv show. In fact, on your resume, its priceless!Jangonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51578221173278945902012-07-07T12:10:05.230-07:002012-07-07T12:10:05.230-07:00When I was a teenager, my father was a writer and ...When I was a teenager, my father was a writer and supervising producer of The Cosby Show. As far as I know, he hasn't spoken publicly about the inner workings of the show since leaving after its sixth season, and I won't mention anything we've ever discussed privately that might confirm or refute anything in Mr. Levine's initial post or any of the subsequent comments.<br /><br />I visited the set on many occasions, saw how hard everyone worked and had the good fortune of a few wonderful (and brief) experiences with Cosby that made me laugh nearly as much as I had listening to his standup albums in the years prior. I want to clarify that I know full well these are personal and anecdotal encounters and have no meaning in considering the man as a whole. <br /><br />I also had an enormous crush on Lisa Bonet, but that's neither here nor there. <br /><br />I will dispute one thing I read in a comment written by A Non-Emus (7/04/2012 7:37 PM) - I was actually there the night Carl Anthony Payne II (a.k.a., Cockroach) was fired, and I'm absolutely certain it had nothing to do with his hi-top fade.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-2763108986850452532012-07-05T23:39:40.382-07:002012-07-05T23:39:40.382-07:00And Sid Caesar was a total pussycat...And Sid Caesar was a total pussycat...MacDaffyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06727984434532528550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-21512524503099115022012-07-05T18:20:26.068-07:002012-07-05T18:20:26.068-07:00Dax, any Shatner stories to share?Dax, any Shatner stories to share?A Non-Emusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88545512213905946412012-07-05T17:56:00.045-07:002012-07-05T17:56:00.045-07:00I do understand. Just sayin'I do understand. Just sayin'James Morrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-49469971759977592042012-07-05T16:09:41.602-07:002012-07-05T16:09:41.602-07:00I've been on a few sets. A white actor wouldn&...I've been on a few sets. A white actor wouldn't have to ask for an all-white crew. Understand that.A Non-Emusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-81629045317352376502012-07-05T09:51:35.093-07:002012-07-05T09:51:35.093-07:00Oh, "brown girl", please.
That's not...Oh, "brown girl", please.<br />That's not a reverse racist.<br />Your thinking is so wrong.<br />I don't know where to begin.<br />If a white actor asked for an all-white crew, you'd be the first to scream racist. Or an asian...I could go on and on.<br />But I won't. You know you're wrong.James Morrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71538538757129137142012-07-05T02:56:48.762-07:002012-07-05T02:56:48.762-07:00He was a reverse racist, who asked for an all blac...<i>He was a reverse racist, who asked for an all black crew while promoting one of his films. </i><br /><br />If that's true, my respect for him has really increased. I know Alice Walked asked for a 1/3 black or female crew on Color Purple.brown girlhttp://www.google.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-29024818923674145022012-07-04T22:54:56.328-07:002012-07-04T22:54:56.328-07:00Wow, looks like his true brilliance in acting was ...Wow, looks like his true brilliance in acting was how he had many of believing he was a nice guy.<br />I seem to remember another actor who was also genius at having us believe what a swell guy he was...<br />Maybe you remember him. His name?<br />O.J. SimpsonJames Morrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1861931322370393572012-07-04T19:37:03.892-07:002012-07-04T19:37:03.892-07:00Bill Cosby is a legend and his place in history is...Bill Cosby is a legend and his place in history is cemented. But I've heard so many bad stories about him off-camera. Blowing his I Spy audition because of his attitude (according to Robert Culp), practically living at the Playboy Mansion when he was married with kids, punching Tommy Smothers in the head (at the Mansion), firing Cockroach because he had a hi-top! I speculate that Cosby has never fully dealt with his hard childhood and still carries anger because of it despite his massive success. But... he tells the funny stories... and makes the funny faces... with the zrbtt, ya see!<br /><br />Regarding Andy Griffith. I read Griffith did have a temper. One time during TAGS he punched a wall and broke his hand. For a few episodes, Andy has a cast. I also read about him dressing down a Matlock cast member who kept messing up her lines. I've heard stories of him being brusque with fans which is sometimes understandable. The fact is these people are just people.A Non-Emusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31522039642379282372012-07-04T16:09:02.670-07:002012-07-04T16:09:02.670-07:00To ChicagoJohn: if you haven't already, find ...To ChicagoJohn: if you haven't already, find a program called "Caesar's Writers" (it's on YouTube). He's on stage being interviewed with many of his writing staff (nearly all of whom are legends now). I think the only out-of-control story told was the famous one about an altercation with a man inside a car ("do you remember the moment of your birth?") Caesar probably had the best relationship with his writers of anyone.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753360146107174303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87899241892637354732012-07-04T15:54:14.967-07:002012-07-04T15:54:14.967-07:00While I liked his role on I SPY, I was lukewarm ab...While I liked his role on I SPY, I was lukewarm about his standup act and never watched his other TV shows.Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36615789688174352892012-07-04T15:12:20.998-07:002012-07-04T15:12:20.998-07:00"Max Clarke said...
Ken,
When was the first ...<i>"Max Clarke said...<br />Ken, <br />When was the first big time you were disillusioned about show business? When you saw how big the chasm can be between your view of somebody and what they really are like?"</i><br /><br />I know you asked Ken, not me, but I sure can sure answer for me. It was when I met Steve Allen. I was 18 years old, and was a <i><b>HUGE</b></i> fan of Steve's. I thought the sun shone out of his ass. I went to a taping of his TV show and afterwards, snuck in backstage, and waited outside his dressing room door until he showed up, to ask for an autograph. <br /><br />Now bear in mind, I was clearly a star-struck teenager. I was wearing a suit and tie. I was polite. Steve came up with his wife and a page. I stepped out and greeted "Mr. Allen". I said I was a big, big fan, which was true, and asked for an autograph. Steve did not speak to me, he just turned to the page and told him to throw me out. That was the end of my being a fan of Steve Allen. <br /><br />I retell that story not to keep revenging myself on a dead man for being rude to a teenage boy over 40 years ago, but to keep honoring the many stars I have met who were the exact opposite, stars like Barry Humphries, Diana Rigg, Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, and yes, even Milton Berle. Folks who could have had me thrown out but instead could not have been warmer or more gracious. Even Bill Cosby was nicer to me than Steve Allen.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71157064946113148532012-07-04T14:32:48.439-07:002012-07-04T14:32:48.439-07:00I hear the sound of bitch boys whining. Riding Cos...I hear the sound of bitch boys whining. Riding Cosby's jock put millions in your pockets and yet you have the nerve to complain. <br /><br />Put on your big girl panties and stop crying.al smittynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43649554615767292132012-07-04T14:25:50.454-07:002012-07-04T14:25:50.454-07:00Lots of black people are better off for Bill Cosby...Lots of black people are better off for Bill Cosby's actions. His pound cake speech and his assorted work to get parents to take care of their kids has helped. That Cosby was one of the few execs willing to put black faces on TV is somehow seen as an attack. How many black characters were there on Friends? Seinfeld?<br />Even the few shows that do make it tend to get attacked for their treatment of black people.MikeNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82568053888370377782012-07-04T12:36:21.324-07:002012-07-04T12:36:21.324-07:00I had the opportunity to introduce Bill Cosby at a...I had the opportunity to introduce Bill Cosby at a stand up show he was doing in San Bernardino. I had always heard he was a jerk, to my surprise he was one of the nicest millionaire celebrities I'd ever encountered. For the record, Loretta Lynn is by far the nicest and no one ever matched her sweetness.Harley Davidsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51354011572547553052012-07-03T23:12:09.550-07:002012-07-03T23:12:09.550-07:00Ken,
When was the first big time you were disill...Ken, <br /><br />When was the first big time you were disillusioned about show business? When you saw how big the chasm can be between your view of somebody and what they really are like?<br /><br />Maybe a question for Friday. I didn't know anything about Cosby except his comedy albums, so your discussion here prompted the question. In contrast, Andy Griffith seemed to have a pretty good reputation for being a gentleman off-camera.Max Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706524941272103444noreply@blogger.com