Netflix postpones launch of “Bill Cosby 77” stand-up special

Netflix announced overnight that a planned Nov. 28 day-after-Thanksgiving launch of Bill Cosby’s latest stand-up special, Bill Cosby 77, would not air.

“At this time we are postponing the launch of the new stand-up comedy special Bill Cosby 77,” said the brief statement.

It comes after two more women, including former model Janice Dickinson, accused Cosby of sexually assaulting them decades ago. Dickinson revealed her allegations on Tuesday’s Entertainment Tonight. Over the weekend, NPR’s Scott Simon asked Cosby and his wife Camille about the allegations, but he remained silent. Instead, Cosby’s lawyer issued a terse statement:

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.

The lawyer did not say how the allegations ever were discredited. Cosby did settle one lawsuit with one of the women who brought similar charges against him a decade ago, and had 13 witnesses lined up to testify against him. Cosby seemed to put it all behind him then, until earlier this year, when another comedy legend — Woody Allen — found old sexual assault charges levied against him. That’s when Gawker decided to remind us all of it.

Cosby also has a new sitcom in the works with NBC, but the status of that remains up in the air.

Bill Cosby 77 is named for his 77th birthday, when he taped the special earlier this year.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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