Even amid controversy, the show must go on.
Even amid controversy, the show must go on.
Bill Cosby made his first public appearance on Thursday following numerous rape allegations lodged at him this month. Performing at Nassau's Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, CBS News reports that despite the recent scandal surrounding the comedian, a few audience members still gave him a standing ovation.
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Seated on stage wearing a grey sweatshirt with the message "Hello Friend" written across it, the 77-year-old Cosby Show star never mentioned the sexual abuse claims making headlines in his 90-minute set.
The comedy show was a benefit for women’s volunteer service group The Links, Inc. In a statement to ET, the women's group explains their reason for having Cosby perform despite the recent scandal. "The scheduling of Mr. Cosby to perform at the Nassau (Bahamas) Chapter’s fundraiser was done in good faith and in advance of the allegations coming to light," National President Glenda Newell-Harris said. "As a women’s organization committed to uplifting and empowering women, The Links, Incorporated does not tolerate crimes against women."
The statement continued, "Recent accusations against Bill Cosby are alarming and unsettling. We trust that the appropriate authorities will conduct a thorough investigation."
Cosby did not attend the after-party, though his wife Camille was reportedly seen there.
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Since the recent rape allegations, Netflix has postponed their Cosby special, TV Land has stopped airing reruns of The Cosby Show and NBC axed their project with the comedian. His comedy shows scheduled at Las Vegas' Treasure Island Hotel on Nov. 28 and the Diamond Desert Casino in Tucson, Arizona on Feb. 15 were also canceled.
However, Cosby is still scheduled to perform his sold-out show tonight, Nov. 21, at the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne, Florida.
"While we are aware of the allegations reported in the press, we are only in a position to judge him based on his career as an entertainer and humanitarian," the establishment said in a statement to NBC News.
Just this week, supermodel Janice Dickinson sat down with ET's Kevin Frazier where she claimed that she was raped by Cosby. See our exclusive interview with her, below.