Talk:Bill Cosby

Parents? Siblings?

Why is his father referred to as "a cook for the U.S. Navy"? Was his father working for a private contractor? If he was, my point is moot. If his father was enlisted in the U.S. Navy, a more academically accurate (and respectful) sentence would perhaps be: "...and William Henry Cosby, an enlisted U.S. Navy Sailor, who served as a cook...". —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.108.243.166 (talk) 14:58, 11 December 2009 (UTC)

I find it odd that his parents are not listed, or any siblings. Could someone find out who they were? -Scouto2 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.0.252.223 (talk) 00:47, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

Doubt it, cuz I looked on IMDB and they didn't have it either. BTW, don't forget to sign your posts with four tildes (~~~~). Thanks! RC-0722 ^communicator/_kills 00:53, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

bill's brothers are Russell, Robert, and James. Also his parents are Anne and William h. Cosby —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.93.28.197 (talk) 06:57, 28 February 2008 (UTC)

Aren't Bill Cosby's parents dead? I mean, he's pretty old himself. --Mark Lessig (talk) 18:25, 25 February 2009 (UTC)

Fix Cosby's birthdate please

Bill Cosby was actually born July 12, 1937 (not 1917/September 12, 1915) as the article states. According to the article he was over 40 years old when he recieved a track and field scholarship to Temple.

Reference: (click 30's in timeline to view birthdate) http://entertainer.billcosby.com/biography

Bill Cosby's brothers names are Russell, Robert, and James —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.93.28.197 (talk) 06:50, 28 February 2008 (UTC)

Protect?

There have been several vandalism recently, should this be protected? Allyourbasearebelongtousomg 02:03, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Were the Huxtables middle class?

He was an OB/GYN and she was a partner at a law firm. They owned a Brownstone in an excellent area of Brooklyn. I think a good argument can be made that the Huxtables were upper-class. Why not just leave the family's social standing out? --Ted 21:49, 7 April 2006 (UTC)

I think their financial situation is relevant. Whereas I do agree that calling them middle-class puts into question "What defines it?" it was a very obtuse direction in comparison to previous Black family sitcoms such as Sanford & Son, Good Times, & even the Jeffersons (the Jeffersons were rich, not because of hard work but because they won the lottery). From What's Happening to Different Strokes there was never a sitcom based on Blacks that were more than poor through any effort on their part. --Duemellon 22:01, 8 April 2006 (UTC)

As I recall, the Jeffersons did win the lottery in an episode of "All In the Family," but George was depicted as having worked hard to build up his chain of dry-cleaning stores. He was portrayed as a racist, posturing blowhard, but never as lacking in ambition.Carlaclaws 15:13, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

The Jeffersons did not win the lottery. George won a civil suit after being hit by a city bus. He used the money to open his first dry cleaner. He then busted his hump and built his business up to the point where he could afford a luxury apartment on the upper east side. ... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.186.116.230 (talk) 08:19, 20 October 2011 (UTC)

Brooklyn?? I remember the Cosby's residence being in Philadelphia for the entire run of the series. Am I mistaken about this or is Ted in his above post? CanadianMist 16:49, 6 April 2007 (UTC)

Nope, it was Brooklyn.Americaninseoul 06:10, 12 April 2007 (UTC)

It was actually, Brooklyn Heights where they lived in the series and they were upper middle class.76.112.180.49 (talk) 19:21, 25 September 2008 (UTC)

What intrigued me most about The Cosby Show was that unlike most sitcoms about blacks, they never, ever mentioned the fact that they were black. Compare this to Whoopi Goldberg's unlamented sitcom, or the Jeffersons, where they could not go more than a sentence or two without bringing up race. What the Cosby Show DID do was spotlight music by black artists, or unobtrusively hang a painting by Jacob Lawrence on the wall, or have the grandparents talk about participating in civil rights marches in the 1960's. Great stuff! 68.116.40.228 20:42, 12 July 2007 (UTC)

Military Brat (Navy Brat)

On the "Military Brats" Wikipedia page, Cosby is listed as a famous 'military brat' (child of a military family, which is not considered a derogatory term by most who grew up in military families) and more specifically, he is listed as a Navy brat. A military childhood has many significant challenges and strengths associated with it, and the military aspect of Cosby's own childhood should be included here in the "Early Life" section.

Sean7phil 19:47, 17 February 2007 (UTC)

Also, Cosby's parents are not mentioned in the article. That is customary for wiki and also would allow us to research and document the history of military service in his family.

71.208.226.116 18:59, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

Background

Can we get a link to the text of his speech to support "In the same speech he had scathing remarks for Christians and the police, as well as praise for the efforts of the Black Muslim organization and it's effectiveness, however, these statements were not reported in the articles in the mainstream media."

The Gettosburg Address's full text is the link that needs to be moved to WikiSource has the full text for review (those statements appear at the middle and end of the speech). I'm not sure how to have that done so I would appreciate anyone who does that &/r explains how to do it. --Duemellon 14:27, 19 August 2005 (UTC) (p.s. plz sign your comments)

"There wasn't any proof that these last two alleged allegations took place and Cosby was acquitted." This is very poor. No details are offered of any trials, just that allegations were made. Can we have at least a mention of whether a trial took place, and preferably which court, links to transcripts if anyone can find them. Rich Farmbrough 22:57, 16 August 2005 (UTC)

The background section needs MAJOR work. It is completely unsourced and frequently POV. With the intense scrutiny Wikipedia receives regarding entries on real people, a section such as this would seem to fail to meet the necessary standards of Wiki for biographical entries. But for the loss of a great deal of information, I would be inclined to delete the entire section. Hopefully someone can find the time for the badly-needed rewrite. SINsApple 06:31, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

Opinion/Vandalism in Personal Life

The Wikipedia entry should include that Autumn Jackson was eventually acknowledged as Bill Cosby's biological daughter. A fact he knew(but denied publicly for years) since she was a child and would visit her and her mother, and would have them visit his TV 'set'. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 141.154.181.49 (talk) 04:03, 23 November 2007 (UTC)

Can you provide a source for claim that he has acknowledged her as his daughter? All I see are articles from late 90s saying Jackson declined to take a DNA test.

Correction: Cosby never went through with a Paternity test, though he offered to take one, on the now defunct MSNBC Geraldo Rivera Show, through a message by his attorney. The man who came forth ( courtesy of Cosby's attorney) and claimed paternity, did not take a Paternity test either. If one were to go upon visual indicators between both men, Autumn Jackson highly resembles Bill Cosby. Apparently the public, at least, will never officially know the paternity. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.161.151.191 (talk) 08:22, 3 April 2011 (UTC)

I'm not sure it is academically profitable for an article to indicate that Cosby had an "ugly" wife, nor to comment on her academic standing unless the author would like to cite a credible source for the proposition. Second,66.157.144.28 15:50, 28 December 2006 (UTC) I don't think it is necessary to repeat the stories of his possible indiscretions, once in the article is likely enough to bring it to the reader's attention.

I'm going to revert this. If I'm wrong, sorry. --Jnelson09 20:17, 9 January 2007 (UTC) --Hails21 16:43, 22 February 2007 (UTC)[[Media: == Bill Cosby is not dead==]]

63.215.29.3 (talk) 17:06, 4 July 2008 (UTC) Ummm. Is anyone remotely aware of the fact that this entire page is... gone? Who is Domo?

I agree, why is there no mention of Autumn Jackson? --jptelthorst (talk) 16:15, 2 June 2012 (UTC)

Awards

{{{editprotected}}} Honarary Degree - The Ohio State University - June 8th, 2001 [1] --Jbnovotny 05:18, 7 March 2007 (UTC)jbnovotny

I always heard that Bill Cosby did not accept awards, yet there are several instances here that mention him being honored with awards and also "accepting" awards. Is this hypocrisy in later life or does Cosby only accept certain kinds of award (i.e. he won't accept an Emmy but he will accept an humanitarian award)? In any event, should there be a paragraph on Cosby's history with accepting and not accepting awards?--Dr who1975 01:44, 15 February 2007 (UTC)

Bill Cosby was made Honorary Chief Hospital Corpsman by the SECNAV Mabus Feb 17, 2011

It should also be added that Bill received the Eliot-Pearson Award for Excellence in CHildrens Media in 2011 from Tufts University. Source can be found at: 98.216.189.103 (talk) 06:14, 21 November 2013 (UTC)

Cosby and jazz

I removed the section about Cosby being a jazz fan because it was way too short, and sounded off-topic. --YoungOcelot 12:35, 26 February 2007 (UTC)

I moved it to trivia, where it BELONGS! --YoungOcelot 17:27, 26 February 2007 (UTC)

I disagree. A section on Jazz would be quite appropriate. Although most know him as a comedian, he is also an accomplished Jazz musician, composer and promoter, has produced albums throughout his career. As mentioned elsewhere, his involvement in music has earned him an Honorary Doctorate in Music from Berklee College of Music. Suffice to say music is a significant part of his life and career, and worthy of a section. --Jahandar 23:30, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Death

Is he dead? Floaterfluss ^{(talk) (contribs)} 13:15, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

No. --Fang Aili ^talk 13:24, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

Stop believing everything you see on 4chan, also gtfo

Whoa. He's got one real doctorate and six honorary doctorates. This guy's a genius!(Myscrnnm (talk) 08:30, 17 January 2008 (UTC))

Mike Tyson also has an honorary doctorate. Think about that. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 172.162.70.191 (talk) 02:30, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

R.I.P —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.45.10.26 (talk) 08:16, 6 February 2010 (UTC)

Influences

Groucho Marx is one of his biggest influences, have we forgotten?? He even re-did 'you bet your life.' The cigar thing? come on people!

The following sources agree with you: Cosby: The Life of a Comedy Legend by Ronald L. Smith, Prometheus Books, 1997, and Hello I Must Be Going by Charlotte Chandler, Simon & Schuster, 1978. Bill Cosby even wrote the foreword to the latter. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.19.237.211 (talk) 03:42, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Trip to Cuba

According to Tavis Smiley on the Friday, 22 Jun 2007 broadcast of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Bill Cosby and his wife accompanied Tavis, Danny Glover (and I'm not sure who else) on a trip to Cuba where Tavis interviewed Fidel Castro. Tavis referred to them as "the Cosbys", so I assume it was also his wife. Is this worthy of being added to the page? I think it could add some insight to his personal politics if he's willing to take a trip to Cuba to see Castro, let alone the fact that he accompanied Danny Glover, who is pretty much lambasted for his own politics.

School Appearances

Should we include a listing of schools he has appeared at? I know for a fact he has appeared at Mott Community College here in Flint, Michigan. Just a thought. —Preceding unsigned comment

• Morehouse spring commencement address May 2004

William “Bill” Cosby 2004 Commencement Speaker at Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA). --Rayjr13 (talk) 17:54, 5 October 2010 (UTC)

Willam "Bill" Cosby 2006 Commencement Speaker at Spelman College (Atlanta, GA).

• Spelman spring commencement address May 2006 --Rayjr13 (talk) 18:20, 5 October 2010 (UTC)

I don't think individual appearances are worth mentioning unless they are commented upon in major news sources. Morehouse reporting on a Morehouse appearance is not quite enough. Binksternet (talk) 18:11, 5 October 2010 (UTC)

I would agree but it's already become apart of the article, and if it remains as a referrence it would be nice to include as many as documented. "The network renewed the popular program in November 2000. In 2001, at an age when many give serious consideration to retirement, Cosby's agenda included the publication of a new book, as well as delivering the commencement addresses at Morris Brown College, Ohio State University, and at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.[15]" From the Bill Cosby article. --Rayjr13 (talk) 18:20, 5 October 2010 (UTC)

Meme

how is Bill Cosby an internet meme? ~~ There is this picture of Cosby with a movable mouth that keeps showing up in flash cartoons on the internet.

Have you ever been to YTMND? He's like the biggest fad there!

Yeah, I'm not sure that Cosby's fad status at YTMND is worth mentioning in this article though. I'll leave it up to the guys working on this page, but I'd axe that section. Cosby Bebop is hilarious, though. - Kris

Image

There is an image of bill cosby that it could be used http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BillCosby.jpg —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.174.14.112 (talk • contribs) 10:49, September 2, 2007

Good call. The image was already in the article so I moved it up to the infobox. --ElKevbo 15:14, 2 September 2007 (UTC)

Should it be mentioned that in a recent interview with larry king he mentiond that he supported Kucinich? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.70.162.179 (talk) 19:38, 9 November 2007 (UTC)

Yes I definitely think his support for Kucinich needs to be listed under Political Views. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.249.145.10 (talk) 04:32, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

In one photo accompanying the entry ("Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles 2007"), the quality of the photo is *extremely* poor in terms of using it as a photo of Bill Cosby (even in the largest, original version of it provided). He may have been on the stage in the photo; he may not have been -- you simply cannot tell. Paris Hilton or Pope Benedict XVI might have been on the stage with him (or might not, such is the photo's quality), but I would not use this photo to accompany an entry about them, Cosby or anyone else. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.191.159.143 (talk) 03:21, 17 August 2008 (UTC)

Seconding this. The photo caption is irrelevant to the photo itself. It does not depict Cosby on stage, in fact it does not depict any specific individual, because there are no faces visible. Need better quality photo depicting Cosby on stage at the festival. 12.233.146.130 (talk) 22:13, 29 March 2012 (UTC)

Agreed and removed. --Musdan77 (talk) 00:22, 30 March 2012 (UTC)

Son's death

Why is this article thoroughly bereft of information on the murder of his son? ThuranX (talk) 21:44, 19 November 2007 (UTC) Because the article about it is also a stub -Scouto2 —Preceding unsigned comment added by Scouto2 (talk • contribs) 14:00, 5 February 2008 (UTC)

Could someone fix his infobox ?

I noticed that there's some sort of coding error in Cosby's box. I took a look at the code in Lenny Bruce's box, but I don't see a difference. Someone code-savvy should probably take a look at that —Preceding unsigned comment added by Emperor Azure (talk • contribs) 22:05, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

Nothing mentioned of son's murder

I find it extremely hard to believe that nothing is mentioned ANYWHERE in this article about the murder of his son Ennis. It was a shooting death I believe. I will add a section later when I pull together some references, and get the time(either tonight or tommorow).WacoJacko (talk) 03:29, 29 March 2008 (UTC)

Unsourced Material

This article has amassed a shocking amount of unsourced material. Unless it is cited, I think it's fair game for removal. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Xenosagian (talk • contribs) 02:11, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Yes, you're absolutely right about that. Since this is a biography of a living person, unsources material must be removed! 129.16.49.8 (talk) 12:36, 29 May 2008 (UTC) His son, Ennis was shot to death while changing a tire on the interstate in los angeles. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.194.6.27 (talk) 00:14, 29 October 2010 (UTC)

Vandalism to the "In the 1990s and 2000s" section

From the Article it say in the "In the 1990s and 2000s" that Phylicia Rashād replaced Chuck Norris. This needs to be replaced but I don't know who Phylicia Rashād replaced. I leave it to someone more knowledgeable on this subject.

Also in 1996, he started up a new show for CBS, Cosby, again co-starring Phylicia Rashād, his onscreen wife on The Cosby Show (early on she replaced Chuck Norris).

--Bonelifer (talk) 18:41, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

We should be diligent about making sure the 2000s section in particular is well guarded, considering some of the controversial statements he has made. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.171.19.76 (talk) 00:24, 19 October 2008 (UTC)

According to Cosby: The Life of a Comedy Legend, Ronald L. Smith, Prometheous Books, 1997, she replaced Telma Hopkins. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.19.237.211 (talk) 03:47, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Singing Career

[Silver_Throat:_Bill_Cosby_Sings] had Bill Cosby's only hit that added a monologue to Stevie Wonder's Everything's Alright: Little Ole Man (Uptight, Everything's Alright) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 206.57.92.31 (talk) 19:08, 11 June 2008 (UTC)

Golden Raspberry award

I vaguely recall Cosby on a talk show back then talking about the Raspberry awards. After hearing he won it he demanded a trophy from the raspberry award people, who were surprised since no one had ever wanted one before. Finally they relented and had a nice one made just for him, which Cosby was showing off proudly on the talk show. 75.5.100.86 (talk) 23:01, 15 July 2008 (UTC)

Needs cleanup

Personal life is a big list, and the pound cake speech is sourced wrong —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.220.247.136 (talk) 01:36, 17 July 2008 (UTC)

Given/Legal Name

Isn't his given name "William Henry Cosby, Jr.?" He was also given creation/exec producer credits on The Cosby Show as "William H. Cosby, Jr., Ed. D." as if it matters. Cpk1971 (talk) 07:11, 1 September 2008 (UTC)

Youtube comments

I've removed this from the pound cake speech section, because it looks like someone's simply plugging their Youtube videos. Feel free to put it back when/if it is properly cited.

"Bill Cosby Parodies Bill Cosby has been superimposed onto many images. One quote in particular has been remixed in songs such as the BIll Cosby Super Smash Bros. song, which is on youtube.com." 67.236.202.163 (talk) 03:12, 3 October 2008 (UTC)

Nixon's Enemy List

Someone should add that Cosby was on the Master list of Nixon political opponents Not sure exactly how to word it or even the reasons behind his being put on the list, I assume he was somewhat involved in the civil rights movement. I thought it was interesting and noteworthy 97.91.190.78 (talk) 08:16, 25 October 2008 (UTC)

ESPN "2,5 and 6" Incident

I that what he did on ESPN should be mentioned somewhere in the article. 68.192.42.42 (talk) 20:42, 6 January 2009 (UTC)

Midget

Shouldnt someone explain how he almost killed a miget! Isnt that something thats imporant. Geez people.130.113.128.11 (talk) 20:43, 13 November 2008 (UTC)

Nationality

African-American is not a nationality. Should split this into Ethnicity and Nationality if it's even worth mentioning. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.145.2.123 (talk) 05:04, 14 November 2008 (UTC)

US Navy

In the early life section "navy" should be capitalized. It's a proper noun. thanks. U.S. Navy is best though, but please Navy is proper. ps, why can I not edit this page? i thought anyone could edit wikipedia? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.27.204.159 (talk) 05:14, 15 November 2008 (UTC)

The page is currently semi-protected due to excessive vandalism. (See the lock in the upper right corner.) Only registered users can edit semi-protected pages. RainbowOfLight ^Talk 05:16, 15 November 2008 (UTC)

thank you for the answer. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.27.204.159 (talk) 05:31, 15 November 2008 (UTC)

Cosby's dissertation

I tried to look up his dissertation for his doctorate. I was able to find the website UMI ProQuest and entered the pub.no. ATT 7706369 that is listed in the Reference section no. 12. It produced a 'no results found'. Is that the correct number of his dissertation? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.238.92.223 (talk) 04:28, 19 November 2008 (UTC)

Speaking style

Cosby's speaking style is definitely unique and should be mentioned here. Does anyone know where it comes from? 24.245.42.233 (talk) 08:04, 21 March 2009 (UTC)

Lazarus Cosby

Um. Why does this article still make no mention of his son's murder? That seems fairly important, and should have been mentioned in the personal life section. 86.46.203.161 (talk) 00:24, 30 March 2009 (UTC) Nevermind, I missed it. My bad.86.46.203.161 (talk) 00:25, 30 March 2009 (UTC)

"Sex scandals" category

I noticed that this article has been in the "sex scandals" category since at least October 2008 (that's as far as I went back), but I can find nothing in the article or in the talk page or archives to support its presence. Any ideas? —bbatsell ¿? ✍ 18:57, 9 April 2009 (UTC)

Clearly an overlooked piece of vandalism. Someone should remove it as soon as possible. That is, if the Wiki is to be taken seriously. --Zornfalke (talk) 15:05, 20 April 2009 (UTC)

I concur. This category is pointless and ridiculous. --141.51.213.197 (talk) 13:04, 22 April 2009 (UTC)

I also visited this talk page to find the basis for the "sex scandal" inclusion, but would agree that this category listing is malicious. It should be removed without delay. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 114.75.183.227 (talk) 15:37, 28 April 2009 (UTC)

Hasn't this joke gone far enough? Please, someone remove either the 'sex scandals' category or the protection from the page and I'll do it myself. Honestly, this ongoing counterfactual information doesn't make the English Wiki look too good. 88.69.59.103 (talk) 21:24, 30 April 2009 (UTC)

This is no joke! If you google "Bill Cosby Scandal" you will see why his name is in this category. What amazes me is why there is no mention of him allegedly drugging and fondling women in his article. He was accused of this by numerous women. Seems that someone had made sure that this info has been kept off of the page. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 131.35.138.10 (talk) 17:20, 29 May 2009 (UTC)

Not sure if you people have been living under a rock, but see the following article, as one example: http://thecelebritycafe.com/features/8052.html 99.249.52.196 (talk) 04:44, 27 November 2009 (UTC)

missing in popular culture section

how can a character like that miss a "in popular culture" section and simpsons references? wikipedia fail! --85.146.181.187 (talk) 10:40, 20 May 2009 (UTC)

questionable statement

"Although ostensibly focused on Culp's character, the show had clearly become a vehicle for his co-star."

the episodes themselves don't support this, the shows in the final season, for example, having the same structure as those in the first, cosby's character having no more lines, culp's no fewer, etc. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.170.183.150 (talk) 09:31, 30 May 2009 (UTC)

Another questionable statement

Someone should fix this.... The line "At Glynn Academy, Cosby began acting in plays as well as continuing his devotion to playing sports." is not correct. As an alum of Glynn Academy, I'm pretty sure I'd know if he went there too! :-) It appears someone changed it [2] last September from Fitz Simmons Junior High, which is what the reference says too 69.140.255.239 (talk) 22:49, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

• never mind. It's now editable, so I fixed it myself. 69.140.255.239 (talk) 23:58, 7 September 2009 (UTC)

Dr. Cosby

Occasionally, some editor replaces William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr. in the first sentence with Dr. William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr.. Let's work to keep his professional and academic title out of the lead sentence per established practices defined at WP:CREDENTIAL. There's no need to put the Dr. in there since we subsequently explain how he earned his doctorate. Binksternet (talk) 21:29, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

Cosby has earned his Doctorate of Education from the University of Massachusetts. It is not honorary. He is entitled to use the Dr. in his name, but chooses not to. The one exception was in the end credits of The Cosby Show. Bill S. (talk) 11:00, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

There was no suggestion it was honorary. Also, it's not correct that there is "one exception"; here are a few others.  Frank  |  talk  12:49, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

We don't add "Dr." to every article of a person who has received a PhD. For example: Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, among many many others. There is no point in making an exception for Bill Cosby. Hamsterlopithecus (talk) 20:51, 31 January 2013 (UTC)

Lawsuit?

Why does this article make no reference to the sexual assault lawsuit settled in late 2006? Also, the extortion attempt by Autumn Jackson, with whose mother Cosby had an affair, is not mentioned. I have no interest in indulging in the "sex scandal" debate (above) per sae, but the wiki page should be a source of valid information regarding significant legal and personal issues. Sadiemonster (talk) 07:48, 20 December 2009 (UTC)

I agree wholeheartedly. I've added a paragraph with sources which may or may not justify a separate L3 section but the case certainly needs mention within the article. Moondyne (talk) 02:21, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

I think there should be a mention of Autumn Jackson, who could, although never legally proven, be Cosby's sixth child. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jptelthorst (talk • contribs) 16:13, 2 June 2012 (UTC)

Bill Cosby's first appearance on network television

Jack Paar, in his video memoir tells the true story of having Bill Cosby on the "Tonight Show" for the first time in 1963. Bill was about to go on, a commercial was playing, and Bill was behi nd the curtain. Jack came out to speak to the audience during the commercial. It was a rare thing to have a black comedian on television in those days and Jack wanted to give Cosby a break, asking the audience to be kind to this new kid and even to laugh a bit more than you might regularly do. As Jack Paar went on, in a soft voice from behind the curtain Bill Cosby said, "I don't need it." Jack Paar was a bit startled, saying, "What?" Bill said again, from behind the curtain, "I don't need it," obviously referring to Jack priming the audience. The commercial ended, and Jack stepped back, bowing to Bill's wishes. Bill came out, and he literally "killed" the audience, really wowing them. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Missionoak (talk • contribs) 20:36, 3 February 2010 (UTC)

Interesting story; do you have a citation for it? (Video cites are generally not useful unless there's a transcript for it.)  Frank  |  talk  20:51, 3 February 2010 (UTC)

Nice story, except Cosby could not have literally "killed" the audience and also have avoided prison or the chair. He figuratively "killed" the audience. Thanks for playing. Binksternet (talk) 22:41, 3 February 2010 (UTC)

Internet hoax of death

I have been removing mention of an internet hoax saying Cosby is dead. To me, the sources appear quite unreliable. Where is the Snopes entry, for instance, or mention by major news agencies? If a good source is brought, the hoax can be brought back.

• http://twitpic.com/11nc2r
  • This low-reliability source could be showing any kind of graphic manipulation.
• http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/abraham/detail??blogid=95&entry_id=56769
  • This article about a completely different subject mentions Cosby in passing, and it is a blog. Not good.

Binksternet (talk) 10:35, 6 February 2010 (UTC)

http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=au&hl=en&q=bill+cosby+dead —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.45.10.26 (talk) 22:21, 7 February 2010 (UTC)

Mark Twain must be chuckling w/ Bill. FatTrebla (talk) 16:47, 9 April 2011 (UTC)

Cosby and the Globetrotters

Could someone add in the fact that Bill Cosby is a past member of the Harlem Globetrotters?

The verification can be obtained from three sources.

1) By going to the Globetrotters official website and checking the full roster (located here: [3]) where he is listed.

2) In a selection of videos on the Harlem Globetrotters YouTube site, under Curly Neal's Globetrotter memories, he (Neal) lists one of his memories as Bill Cosby donning Neal's jersey for at least one game and there is a still photo in the video showing Cosby 'in game'. That video can be seen here ([4]).

3) Cosby is also listed on the Globetrotters Wiki entry as being one of two people (the other being Magic Johnson) who are signed to lifetime, $1.00 per year contracts with the Globetrotters; this fact is verified in a news story (located here: [5]), which would make Cosby a lifetime employee of the Harlem Globetrotters organization.

Signed Badkarma9999Badkarma9999 (talk) 09:44, 8 February 2010 (UTC)8 Feb 2010

Per [6], he was made an honorary member for $1 a year in, apparently, 1972. Not the same as being an actual, real member of the team. -- 207.237.230.157 (talk) 03:32, 31 March 2010 (UTC)

Unsupported citation

Footnote 12, Verve Records, leads to a dead link. The current Verve Records page for Bill Cosby is at http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/artist/default.aspx?aid=2842, but it's basically just a photo and his name. This footnote needs to be replaced. I'd do it, but the article's locked to IP editors. -- 207.237.230.157 (talk) 23:24, 30 March 2010 (UTC) and he was awesome and to many web sees — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.170.237.103 (talk) 03:39, 1 April 2013 (UTC)

Add honorary degree?

He received a Doctorate of Humanities from Oberlin College on April 30, 2010 See here —Preceding unsigned comment added by 132.162.163.101 (talk) 16:15, 14 May 2010 (UTC)

Honorary doctorate of Human Letters (LHD) from Morehouse College

• here--Rayjr13 (talk) 18:12, 5 October 2010 (UTC)

Dick Van Dyke Show

Bill Cosby never appeared on the Dick Van Dyke Show. Comedian Godfrey Cambridge played the role of a government agent in an episode. The last name of his character was Bond. It does not appear that the article stated as a fact that Cosby ever appeared on the show. I don't believe the author tried to. I wouldn't know any better. A search for the episode title was futile. Maybe it's there somewhere. 1963 season would be my guess, maybe it's just my eyes, I couldn't find it. Perhaps Cosby was considered for that role. Godfrey Cambridge was great, though. The agent, Bond, comes to the Petrie home for a surveillance on an individual involved in nefarious activities who lived across the street from Rob and Laura. One of the famous, very funny and memorable lines delivered in that episode was when Rob took over surveillance as a 'Jr. GI,' and inadvertantly photographed Bond napping. Cambridge wakes up after the click of the camera is heard. Rob admits photographing Bond. Bond says:

"Mr. Petrie, why did you do that?"

174.127.59.53 (talk) 17:43, 18 May 2010 (UTC)

Cosby: The Life of a Comedy Legend, Ronald L. Smith, Prometheous Books, 1997, states that Cosby made an informal "visit" to the set of The Dick Van Dyke Show and did the Noah and the Ark bit for them, but he never appeared in an episode. Greg Morris and Cambridge did, though. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.19.237.211 (talk) 03:52, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Rumored demise

Mr. Cosby has tweeted "Again, I'm rebuttaling rumors about my demise. But, I'm confirming I have an app - [a url that pointed to [7]] :)"[8] and "Emotional friends have called about this misinformation. To the people behind the foolishness, I’m not sure you see how upsetting this is." to rumors of his demise.[9]   — Jeff G.  ツ 22:42, 2 August 2010 (UTC)

4x400

Does anyone have proof that the episode of The Cosby Show, where Cliff races Valerie Brisco Hooks was a real life event? It seems to me that there sholud be a citation in the article for this claim. 2tuntony (talk) 16:21, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

It might be a hoax. I was unable to find a reliable online source for it using some Google searches. If nothing else, the dates don't make sense, since the episode first aired in 1986, so it could not have been inspired by a 1988 event. -- JTSchreiber (talk) 03:32, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

I have removed it from the article. If someone has a reference, it can be returned. 2tuntony (talk) 07:09, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

Citations I can't enter because I'm new

All citations from Cosby: The Life of a Comedy Legend, Ronald L. Smith, Prometheous Books, 1997.

The four cities that declined to show the initial episode of I, Spy were Savannah, GA; Albany, GA; Daytona Beach, FL; and Birmingham, AL. p.67

Li'l Ole Man (called "Little Old Man" in the text) made it into the Top 20. p.80

Temple gathered up Cosby's body of work and granted him a Bachelor of Arts degree (no date given). p.98

People Magazine calls The Cosby Show "revolutionary" and Newsday calls it a "breakthrough." p.167

The series Cosby was based on the British series One Foot in the Grave. p. 226 —Preceding unsigned comment added by Jpse57 (talk • contribs) 04:29, 16 August 2010 (UTC)

Um, sweaters, people...? Hello...?

Can someone please write about Cosby's sweaters and the festivals, etc. surrounding this? I can't believe this article doesn't mention this! People, this is important stuff, lol!

(IN RE: 5th Annual Cosby Sweater Bar Crawl in Annapolis, MD)

paul klenk ^talk 23:02, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Watchorn, 8 April 2011

Bill is shown as attending Central High School. However, it was my understanding that he attended Germantown High School, from which he did not graduate. As an alum of GHS, I am saddened to see this reference. If I am mistaken, then no doubt many of my classmates are, too, since he visited the school for its 100th graduation, the year before I graduated in '68.

You can reach me at DSpaulding@SpauldingGrp.com

David Spaulding Watchorn (talk) 11:41, 8 April 2011 (UTC)

The article already discusses the two high schools Cosby attended: Central and Germantown. Binksternet (talk) 14:05, 8 April 2011 (UTC)

Cosby on Trump

Any idea whether this actually was a controversy? He is quite well known for his Pound Cake speech, and all his views in this area. But a random comment trashing Trump? -- Zanimum (talk) 19:07, 27 July 2011 (UTC)

How widely commented upon was this? How many news outlets reported it? I think it is too much recentism, not enough in the encyclopedia style. Binksternet (talk) 20:09, 27 July 2011 (UTC)

Okay, so a lot of news outlets covered it, but I Donald Trump gets into a squabble with a celebrity every other month. I really don't think it's notable. -- Zanimum (talk) 15:00, 29 July 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from an IP user, 29 October 2011

Please replace {{Kennedy Center Honorees}} with {{1998 Kennedy Center Honorees}}, which is more specific and not so incredibly large in size. 64.134.125.128 (talk) 17:06, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

Okay, seems uncontroversial. Thanks! Plastikspork _―Œ^(talk) 01:27, 30 October 2011 (UTC)

Edit request on 12 December 2011

An end quotation mark should be added at the end of this paragraph:

Cornel West defended Cosby and his remarks, saying, "he's speaking out of great compassion and trying to get folk to get on the right track, 'cause we've got some brothers and sisters who are not doing the right things, just like in times in our own lives, we don't do the right thing. ... He is trying to speak honestly and freely and lovingly, and I think that's a very positive thing.[22]

MattMaynard (talk) 13:23, 12 December 2011 (UTC)

•  Done Thanks for your notice! Binksternet (talk) 15:43, 12 December 2011 (UTC)

OBKB

Potential addition under Acting Career: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:Articles_for_creation/OBKB — Preceding unsigned comment added by Nydc201 (talk • contribs) 02:01, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

Update: Now an approved wiki stub: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OBKB Nydc201 (talk) 22:21, 2 February 2012 (UTC)

Edit request on 19 February 2012

Bill Cosby is not dead, the page needs to be edited to say that he is still alive, and did not die on February 18, 2012.

70.189.255.85 (talk) 00:44, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

 Done. Moondyne (talk) 01:25, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

Once one of the world's highest earners

I have heard that Bill Cosby was at one time the highest paid earner in the world (this was a long time ago though, back in the 1980s). If any one knows a good source for this information, it could go in the article. ACEOREVIVED (talk) 16:43, 22 March 2012 (UTC)

Try a search like this for news items or like this for books. You'll find a bunch of good sources. Binksternet (talk) 18:02, 22 March 2012 (UTC)

I see you are in the UK where Google searches are not as rewarding as in the US. Here are some results,, tracking Cosby's status over time:

• September 1987 Forbes first reports Cosby on top of the Top 40, a list of the world's 40 highest-paid entertainers. From the 1997 book Forbes richest people: the Forbes annual profile of the world's wealthiest men and women, page ix.
• October 1988 "Michael Jackson Earns $97 Million To Become Highest Paid Entertainer", Jet (Cosby falls to 2nd place)
• October 1989 "Michael Jackson Earns $125 Million And Remains Highest Paid Entertainer", Jet (Cosby drops to 3rd place)
• September 1990 "Cosby Cinches Spot at Top of Rich List", Orlando Sentinel
• September 1991 "New Kids edge Bill Cosby as highest-paid entertainers", Bangor Daily News
• September 1992 "Highest Paid Entertainers: Bill Cosby back on top of Forbes magazine list", The Spokesman-Review
• September 1993 "Winfrey pushed out Bill Cosby, who topped the list last year but stumbled to third with his less-than-successful television show, You Bet Your Life." Philadelphia Inquirer
• September 1994 "Spielberg leads entertainers in pay", Dallas Morning News
• 1995 "Bill Cosby has become a fixture atop the Forbes list of the nation's highest-paid entertainers." From The Rage of a Privileged Class by Ellis Cose.
• September 1996 Jet reports "TV superstar Bill Cosby was ranked No. 31 with a combined income of $33 million for 1995 and 1996."

There ya go: Cosby was in the top place in 1987, 1990, and 1992. He was near the top until around '96. He was seen as a "fixture" at or near the top. Binksternet (talk) 18:47, 22 March 2012 (UTC)

Edit request on 1 April 2012-

Specifics: Please add the following text to the Honorary Degrees/Awards/ etc. Source: www.cheyney.edu or google "Bill Cosby and Cheyney":

Bill Cosby was the keynote speaker for commencement exercises at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in 2007. 170.20.11.116 (talk) 12:42, 1 April 2012 (UTC)

Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. Please provide also a full link! mabdul 15:16, 1 April 2012 (UTC)

Additional Comedy Album listing

Bill Cosby comedy album, "Bill Cosby is a beautiful man" (... and also very funny), dated 1973 by MCA Records, produced by Gil Rodin. The album is a two record set with the following skits:

Side One (Record 1)

1. Handball At the "Y"
2. "Froofie" The Dog
3. Survival
4. Fernet Branca

Side Two (Record 2)

1. Wally, Wally
2. The Lower Track
3. (In Las Vegas) Be Good To Your Wives
4. (In Las Vegas) Bill Cosby Fights Back

Side Three (Record 2)

1. Buck Jones
2. Bill Cosby's First Baby
3. Basketball
4. Fat Albert's Car

Side Four (Record 1)

1. Snakes And Alligators
2. Track And Field/High Jump
3. Ennis Toilet
4. My Brother, Russell
5. Masculinity At Its Finest

Personal Side Note: I have looked high and low with no luck for a CD of this vinyl 2 album set that I own as I think it is one of his better works.

Toddcscar (talk) 01:23, 6 August 2012 (UTC)

Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. FloBo A boat that can float! (watch me float!) 05:33, 6 August 2012 (UTC)

Endorsements

Are endorsement really that important to Cosby's life that we need to name companies like Coca Cola in the lead paragraphs? 188.23.122.252 (talk) 11:49, 25 August 2012 (UTC)

BLP concerns about Autumn Jackson, gossip, scandal

I have reverted poorly supported text about Autumn Jackson, text that presented the extortion case of Autumn Jackson as being from Cosby's daughter, though Cosby has always said Jackson is not his daughter. Other text was about scandal, gossip, TV shows that tried Cosby in the media, etc. All of this is too controversial to be presented as character flaws of Cosby, as scandal and gossip. Binksternet (talk) 01:40, 13 September 2012 (UTC)

Tamara Green

Lawyer Tamara Green accused Cosby of groping her three decades earlier, but Green never pressed charges in criminal court, nor did she sue Cosby in civil court. There is nothing about Green's story that can be determined as fact. If Green is brought into this article she cannot be presented as a victim of Cosby in Wikipedia's voice. It is just as likely that Cosby is a victim of an unfair accusation by Green. Binksternet (talk) 01:50, 13 September 2012 (UTC)

Edit request on 22 January 2013

"With credit for life experience, the University of Massachusetts awarded Cosby a Doctor of Education degree in 1977." Encyclopedia Britannica. (There is much conflicting information re: the actual degrees Mr Cosby has EARNED vs. being AWARDED "for life experience" in several sources that I have searched, including Wikipedia. Can someone verify once and for all? Several UMASS graduates of the 70's state that neither the Master's or Doctorate were EARNED degrees. Loughsheelin (talk) 22:34, 22 January 2013 (UTC)

Not done: please make your request in a "change X to Y" format. Please provide sources and exactly what to replace it with; semi edit requests are not where to request work like this. Only where you provide an un-controversial change that is in x-y format. Vacation9 00:12, 23 January 2013 (UTC)

Request to remove semi-protection

I don't think there is a need to semi-protect this article anymore. Could we remove the protection so casual editors can make their minor edits and additions? Thanks Hamsterlopithecus (talk) 21:00, 3 February 2013 (UTC)

It was 2009 that it went under semi-protection, so it's certainly worth experimenting, seeing what sort of edits the article gets. Unprotected. -- Zanimum (talk) 16:20, 4 February 2013 (UTC)

It's always worth a shot, but it wasn't working. I've re-protected it. --Bongwarrior (talk) 20:02, 20 February 2013 (UTC)

I second that, after taking a look at the frequency of vandalism. -- Zanimum (talk) 20:55, 20 February 2013 (UTC)

filmography

this article needs one bad. Also a lot of this article is quite pov. for instance "Also during the 1970s, Cosby and other African-American actors, including Sidney Poitier, joined forces to make some successful comedy films that countered the violent "blaxploitation" films of the era" referring to Uptown Saturday Night trilogy is ridiculous. They were blaxploitation movies. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.207.129.95 (talk) 04:31, 17 February 2013 (UTC)

The filmography is there now but seems incomplete. Wasn't he in the Fat Albert movie in the 2000s? --64.129.32.18 (talk) 21:53, 29 July 2013 (UTC)

More information re: lawsuits

The article should include something about the dozen witnesses who were ready to testify against Cosby in the Constand civil suit. This is very likely why Cosby opted to settle with Constand -- even if all the women claiming he had made similar drug-and-grope sexual assaults on them were lying, it made Constand's claim far more credible than it otherwise have been. Several of their stories also were recounted in credible, non-gossipy media outlets such as Philadelphia Magazine. www.phillymag.com/articles/dr-huxtable-mr-hyde/

Not done: please make your request in a "change X to Y" format. —KuyaBriBri^Talk 21:59, 5 March 2013 (UTC)

Edit request on 8 March 2013

Please remove from section "Early Life," paragraph # 2 : Cosby also joined the school's chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

Please add to section "Personal Life," paragraph # 3: Cosby is a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He was initiated in the fraternity's Beta Alpha Alpha graduate chapter in White Plains, New York in 1988.

76.184.61.72 (talk) 05:13, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

 Done Good job. --Musdan77 (talk) 06:38, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

Edit request on 4 May 2013

Honorary degrees

Cosby has received honorary degrees from more than a dozen colleges and universities:

• Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, December 5, 2008.
• Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Carnegie Mellon University, May 20, 2007; he was also the keynote speaker for the commencement ceremony.
• Honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music, May 8, 2004. Cosby was also the host of the school's 60th Anniversary Concert in January 2006.
• Honorary LL.D. from the University of North Carolina, 2003
• Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Baylor University, September 4, 2003, at the "Spirit Rally" for the Baylor and Central Texas communities.
• Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Yale University, May 26, 2003.
• Honorary Degree in 2003 presented by President William Harjo LoneFight from the Sisseton Wahpeton College on the Lake Traverse Reservation for his contributions to minority education.
• Honorary Doctorate from West Chester University of Pennsylvania during the 2003 graduation ceremony.
• Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Haverford College, May 2002.
• Honorary Degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Cincinnati in 2001.
• Honorary Doctorate from Amherst College, May 1999. (Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa)
• Honorary Doctorate from Colgate University, May 1999.99.155.207.53 (talk) 13:31, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
• Cosby served as the commencement speaker and received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of Connecticut, 18 May 1996.
• Honorary LL.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, 1990. He also served as the commencement speaker in May 1997.

Anthonynhamilton (talk) 18:06, 4 May 2013 (UTC)

Not done: please be more specific about what needs to be changed. These are already in the article. RudolfRed (talk) 18:46, 4 May 2013 (UTC)

Edit request on 19 May 2013

Please add the following information to the Honorary Degrees section.

• Commencement speaker at 178th commencement exercises of Colgate University. Received an Honorary Doctorate from Colgate University, May, 1999.

www.newswise.com/articles/bill-cosby-commencement-speaker1

Source? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jguy (talk • contribs) 17:13, 19 May 2013 (UTC)

Done - Thanks! --ElHef (Meep?) 20:15, 19 May 2013 (UTC)

Regarding the claim about Cosby's "special admission" to UMass

I removed the claim about Cosby being a "special admit" to UMass for lack of evidence but found this 1985 People magazine article that reported on a book that claimed Cosby "was recruited personally by the assistant dean of the U. Mass. education school" and "entered a program designed to award advanced education degrees to 'mature students,' some of whom hadn't attended or completed college." So what to make of this book's claim? Arbor to SJ (talk) 06:25, 19 June 2013 (UTC)

A doctorate from the University of Baltimore was missed. Edit request on 22 May 2013

On May 21, he received the degree Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Baltimore.

His speech is included in the video of the entire commencement. http://pointers.audiovideoweb.com/stcasx/il80win10068/commencement/130521_UB_Commencement.wmv/play.asx

See http://www.ubalt.edu/about-ub/news-events/index.cfm?news_id=1775 for the news release. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.230.201.203 (talk) 19:18, 22 May 2013 (UTC) 71.230.201.203 (talk) 02:02, 26 October 2013 (UTC)

Cosby has been awarded multiple honorary doctorate degrees, starting 1977. How is this one so notable? Binksternet (talk) 02:34, 26 October 2013 (UTC)

Bill Cosby's "Far From Finished" Comedy Special on Comedy Central

Source(s):
http://variety.com/2013/tv/reviews/tv-review-bill-cosby-far-from-finished-1200832852/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/21/bill-cosby-far-from-finished_n_4317625.html
http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/11/04/bill-cosby-comedy-central-stand-up-special/
http://www.thecomedynetwork.ca/blogs/2013/11/bill-cosby-far-from-finished — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.110.9.105 (talk) 05:30, 22 November 2013 (UTC)

Cosby poised to come back to Television, Deadline reports.

Bill Cosby is currently in the process of working with NBC and his former producer Tom Werner to develop a sitcom for the channel. They are looking for writers for the series. Here's the official source. 98.110.5.128 (talk) 04:39, 23 January 2014 (UTC)