14 DAY TRIAL // This week, the hot debate is whether Bill Cosby, the beloved comic and actor who has held a spotless image for years, is in fact guilty of all the rape accusations being brought against him. You might have heard friends or people in your office talking, stating their opinion on the matter.
So far, it's unclear is Cosby is indeed guilty of the charges being brought against him or not, but what is clear is that the media is definitely ganging up on him and it's already having devastating effects on his career. The comic has already seen some of his appearances on TV canceled, not to mention a couple of his present and future shows on networks such as Netflix and even NBC.
Cosby does interview with AP, is caught off guard by rape questions
In a recent interview with AP, the prestigious press agency, Cosby saw himself yet again painted into a corner about the rape accusations. Though it is not clearly stated, it soon becomes clear that the only reason Cosby agreed to do the interview was because he didn't think that AP would ask him about the rape accusations.
It turns out he was wrong because, with seconds left until the interview was finished, the reporter pops the burning question. Hesitant at first, stuttering with nervousness, the interviewer apologizes but goes on with his line of questioning, asking the actor if he would like to comment on the matter.
Cosby refused to play along and said that he would rather not address the topic. The interview was finished and the host and his guests (Cosby and his wife) got ready to exchange pleasantries and exit the room.
The video shows Bill talking off camera and asking the rape part be removed from the recording
Both Cosby and his wife were wearing microphones and the cameras never stopped rolling, so that what happened next was captured on video and AP later chose to air that footage. The video shows Cosby visibly irritated by the way the interview was ended and made the reporter promise him that he would not include the last part, the rape questions in the final versions.
The interviewer can be seen hesitating again, trying to explain that it's not up to him. Since Cosby won't back down so easily, another reporter walks in the shot and says something about the LA office agreeing to not ask about the rape.
It's not long before Cosby feels cornered and states for a second or third time, this time addressing the interviewer directly and asking him to cut out the rape questions from the material.
The description of the video claims that AP “made the decision to publish his full reaction to questions about the claims.” Most of the people who commented on the video reacted negatively to this, but others saw this as Cosby further incriminating himself by not addressing the issue.
The rape allegations are not news. Several women have come forward in the past few years to accuse the aging actor of drugging and raping them decades ago. The latest to add her name to that list was model Janice Dickinson who detailed the event in a recent interview.
The allegations and accusations came back earlier this month when critics complained that Cosby's new biography leaves out this part of his life. The scandal was deepened when comedian Hannibal Buress attacked Cosby very harshly in a stand-up routine.
Cosby has never been accused of anything by police, despite the several reports from alleged women victims. His legal camp insists that the accusations are false.
