Bill Cosby is ‘far from finished,’ says shows will go on
Bill Cosby’s ongoing comedy tour has recently reflected the ire behind the sexual assault allegations against him, with protests and hecklers marring his string of Canadian shows earlier this month. But despite the backlash, Cosby is determined to move on, recently releasing a statement saying that he is “far from finished.”
Bill Cosby's ongoing comedy tour has recently reflected the ire behind the sexual assault allegations against him, with protests and hecklers marring his string of Canadian shows earlier this month. But despite the backlash, Cosby is determined to move on, recently releasing a statement saying that he is "far from finished."
Cosby's comments come just days after a performance in Worcester, Mass. was canceled, an event that the theater's CEO has admitted left him "relieved." NBC chief Robert Greenblatt today mirrored that sentiment, saying that the network is "glad to be out from under" the Cosby debacle in a press conference.
Still, though, Cosby appears to remain steadfastly optimistic. His statement:
"Dear Fans: I have thousands of loyal, patient and courageous fans that are going to leave their homes to enjoy an evening of laughter and return home feeling wonderful. I'm ready!" Cosby said. "I thank you, the theatre staff, the event organizers and the Colorado Community for your continued support and coming to experience family, fun entertainment."
"Hey, hey, hey," the statement concluded, "I'm Far From Finished," referencing his 2013 standup special of the same name.
Cosby's next scheduled show is tonight at Pueblo, Colo.'s Memorial Hall, followed by two tomorrow in Denver at the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre. In that case, both shows are still on, though Ticketmaster has offered refunds to ticket holders.
Cosby's shows stand very little chance of being canceled outright, with AEG Live President Chuck Norris saying essentially that his company must remain neutral.
"If the allegations turn out to be true, I'm going to be appalled and disgusted," he told Colorado's KUSA in a recent interview. "But at this point, I feel like I have an obligation to the people that want to see the show — and an artist that has not been charged or convicted — I don't think I can play judge and jury."
According to KUSA, attorney Gloria Allred is expected to stage a protest outside of Cosby's Saturday show in Denver.
Currently, Cosby is facing sexual assault allegations from more than two dozen women, including model Beverly Johnson and Carla Ferrigno, wife to former Incredible Hulk actor, Lou Ferigno. The comedian has never been criminally charged.
[E!]