Bill Cosby’s NBC Comedy Project Shelved In Wake Of Rape Allegations

As Bill Cosby deals with multiple rape allegations resurfacing in the news, many wondered what would happen to his upcoming NBC comedy project. Well, it looks like we may now have the answer as insiders say NBC has decided to nix the project altogether. This comes right after Netflix has decided to nix a separate project of Cosby’s.

It’s not too surprising that NBC would put the kibosh on the project. Although the news of most of these rape allegations are decades old, the fact that his alleged victims are coming forward to openly talk about these encounters isn’t something that the network could or should ignore.

By giving Bill Cosby’s project the greenlight and ordering a scribe to pen a script, NBC is taking a very firm side in this controversy, which the network really can’t afford to do as it’s still struggling with other shows.

One of Cosby’s alleged victims, Barbara Bowman, released a statement to the Hollywood Reporter in an interview vehemently against Cosby returning back to television.

“I think it’s irresponsible to put him back in a position of a patriarchal father, in an authoritative and trusted position. I’m very disappointed that he would be endorsed in that [type of role] again.”

His most recent allegation surfaced when former supermodel Janice Dickinson came forth on Entertainment Tonight about an alleged rape that happened in 1982.

When Dickinson came forth with these allegations, Cosby’s attorney went back on his statement to make an additional comment regarding this specific high profile allegation against Cosby.

“Her new story claiming that she had been sexually assaulted is a defamatory fabrication. Neither Mr. Cosby or any of his attorneys were ever told by Harper Collins that Ms. Dickinson had supposedly planned to write that he had sexually assaulted her, and neither Mr. Cosby or any of his representatives ever communication [sic] with the publisher about any alleged rape or sexual assault about the book,” said Cosby’s lawyer.

As the Inquisitr reported, Cosby’s rep gave a statement following his interview with NPR, which was before Dickinson came forward with her own set of allegations.

“Over the last several weeks, decade-old, discredited allegations against Mr. Cosby have resurfaced. The fact that they are being repeated does not make them true.”

“Mr. Cosby does not intend to dignify these allegations with any comment. He would like to thank all his fans for the outpouring of support and assure them that, at age 77, he is doing his best work. There will be no further statement from Mr. Cosby or any of his representatives.”

[Image via Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com]