ANDREW TOTH/FILMMAGIC
by Cynthia Littleton, TV Managing editor, Variety.com
NBC is under mounting pressure to act in regards to the sitcom it is developing with Bill Cosby amid allegations of rape leveled at the comedian by multiple women.
NBC would not comment on the status of the untitled project, but few believe that it has a chance of moving forward in light of new statements by two women who claim they were sexually assaulted by Cosby decades ago. Cosby’s lawyer has denied the claim, calling them “discredited allegations.”
With that denial and no legal charges pending against Cosby, the situation presents a judgment-call dilemma for NBC. The comedian has long been associated with the network, and was a cornerstone of its success in the 1980s with his domestic comedy “The Cosby Show.”
But given the disturbing nature of the allegations, it’s nearly impossible to imagine the network producing and marketing a show featuring the 77-year-old comedian’s trademark avuncular humor.
Netflix is scheduled to a release an hourlong Cosby comedy special, “Bill Cosby 77,” on Nov. 28. There was no indication from Netflix of any change in that plan, as of Monday.
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http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/bill-cosby-nbc-under-pressure-as-another-woman-accuses-comedian-of-rape-1201358588/
