“The Cosby Show” Starring: A Monster

The issue of celebrities and powerful figures (typically men) corrupting the media and art forms that we regularly absorb has been present for a very long time, but the issue has never been more prevalent than right now. Almost everyone has been forced to ask themselves the question of what’s right and wrong when analyzing pieces of media.  

When I was 9 years old my family had the entire series (all 8 seasons) of the Cosby show. I watched every single episode. Twice. Although most of the dialogue flew over my head, the extravagant personalities portrayed a family that I assumed everyone wanted to be a part of. There was never ever an episode that failed to make me laugh.

I saw sweet little Rudy Huxtable grow from a four-year-old darling into an established young woman. I saw Theo go from a young troublemaker without direction and life experience into a well-spoken adult. But in the middle of it all, cracking the most jokes pulling the most faces, the patriarch of the family was the man that 9 years old me thought to be a comedic genius. This man was the now extremely controversial Bill Cosby.

Cosby was hilarious, he taught lessons to his family that I was able to reflect in my life. I truly did see him as an idol. I was able to learn from him. But then, I discovered he was a monster.

In 2014, Bill Cosby was publicly accused of the first of many cases of sexual assault and misconduct. The accusations were based in 10 US states and 1 Canadian province. Kristina Ruehli was one of the first women to speak out about a crime that was committed against her when she was only 22 years old. Bill Cosby had been drugging and abusing fellow Hollywood women and after Kristina spoke out, 59 other women came forward. These are women who had their lives potentially destroyed by a successful man who used all his power to try and keep them quiet. He used the power that he had been given from the eyes who tuned into his show every Thursday night.

After I discovered the new Bill Cosby, I was not able to watch a single one of his episodes to the half time mark. I sit down, I choose an episode, I start watching, but the second I see his face I can do nothing but think of the crimes that he has committed. There has been no way I could dissociate the show I used to love with this utterly disgusting man.

This inner battle of mine raises the question of when or if it is okay to appreciate a person’s art when the artist themselves is at fault.

Claire Dederer a writer for The Paris Review wrote an extensive article exploring the dilemma that most, “Which of us are seeing more clearly? The one who had the ability or privilege to remain untroubled by an artists history? Who has the ability to watch the art without committing the biographical fallacy? Or the one who couldn’t help but notice the antipathies and urges that seemed to animate the project?”

The world’s opinions on the matter are extremely polarised and understandably so. We learn from art every single day and in many cases, we are oblivious to the creator’s personal lives; however, the caliber of pure evil that we commonly see in those who have been accused in the media is nothing to be ignored

This can be seen in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland. Produced by Dan Reed it focuses on the alleged sexual abuse of Wade Robson and James Safechuck by the renowned singer Michael Jackson. For years before and after Michael’s passing, there had been rumors of misconduct with two separate legal accusations. The documentary challenges everything great that Michael Jackson was known for. His entire legacy was shattered and now everyone around the world who listened to his music has to ask themselves the question: Is it okay to consume this mans art?

For example, many of the scandalous figures whose work we have been surrounded by our entire lives are not alive anymore, so that means that they cannot benefit financially or socially from our immersion in one of their projects, whether it is a painting, a movie or a performance.

Kelly, a singer who regularly worked with Jackson, Is facing up to 70 years in prison for extremely disturbing charges involving multiple teenage girls. Over the past few decades, R. Kelly’s image and reputation have very surely gone down the metaphorical drain. R. Kelly’s following was nowhere near as large as Micheals, and the sheer quantity of charges against him is almost 10 times what the King of Pop is faced. The debate on R. Kelly’s music is far more lopsided but for those who enjoy his music answering the question of right or wrong can be just as challenging. 

Pablo Picasso was a renowned painter held to the highest degree by art critics and enthusiasts, yet he was found having an affair with a 17-year-old girl when he was 45 and married. We cannot protest this to any reasonable effect, we cannot put him on trial, we cannot insult him. He died in 1973. All that we can do is experience what he left behind for us. 100 million dollar paintings don’t get that price tag for being simple. His paintings are ones that show meaning and thought. We can still learn from them.

If we can see the benefit of Pablo Picasso’s paintings then can we still see the benefit of a movie where one of the supporting actors has accusations similar to those of Bill Cosby’s? Kevin Spacey acted in Baby Driver which garnered massive acclaim and 3 Oscar nominations long after accusations went public of him groping several young men. While he was condemned for his horrendous actions, the movie, however, was also recognized for its talented producers and expert blending of sounds and music. We can still learn from that.

The issue of the Cosby Show isn’t simple either. when it comes down to it, although I might be scarred from ever watching the episode again, it was one of the first successful television shows with an all-black cast. this lead changes into not only an industry but a culture.

When we look at an issue where both sides are so well defended, it’s hard to tell someone what do do when making the choice to watch, listen or experience a piece of art from someone controversial. So I can ask instead, that we remain aware of the origin of a piece of art and acknowledge realistically what it means in that context. But at the same time absent of the surroundings of a piece of media or art, we can still gain an understanding from it.

So as Brian Herbert a Washington Author says: “The capacity to learn is a gift, the ability to learn is a skill, but the willingness to learn is a choice.” and it is up to you to make that very same choice.