Accessibility links
cosby cosby
Stories About

cosby

Wednesday

The rise and fall of 'America's Dad'
Michelle Rohn for NPR

Perspective

Code Switch

The rise and fall of 'America's Dad'

At the height of his career, Bill Cosby was one of the most famous men in the United States. He was the biggest and highest paid star in the country, and with his image plastered on billboards, advertisements and television, many people felt like they knew him. Of course, few people really knew Bill Cosby. And many of the people who had seen who he was up close would be traumatized for the rest of their lives.

The rise and fall of 'America's Dad'

Listen · 41:11
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1082475390/1199264988" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

Bill Cosby (center) approaches members of the media gathered outside his home in Cheltenham, Pa., with his spokesperson Andrew Wyatt. On Wednesday, Pennsylvania's highest court overturned Cosby's sex assault conviction, and he was released from prison.

Bill Cosby (center) approaches members of the media gathered outside his home in Cheltenham, Pa., with his spokesperson Andrew Wyatt. On Wednesday, Pennsylvania's highest court overturned Cosby's sex assault conviction, and he was released from prison. Matt Slocum/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Matt Slocum/AP

National

Bill Cosby's Release Could Have A Silencing Effect On Victims, Advocates Say

Visceral reactions to the news that Bill Cosby has been released from prison include shock from victims' advocates and #MeToo activists to support from his friend and TV co-star Phylicia Rashad.

Bill Cosby's Release Could Have A Silencing Effect On Victims, Advocates Say

Listen · 3:15
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1011859393/1012065521" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Thursday

When What Was Good For Bill Cosby Was Good For Black America

Bill Cosby walks after it was announced a verdict is in at the Montgomery County Courthouse for day fourteen of his sexual assault retrial on April 26, 2018 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Mark Makela/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Mark Makela/Getty Images

Analysis

Code Switch

When What Was Good For Bill Cosby Was Good For Black America

The few, tepid defenses of Bill Cosby during his criminal trial for sexual assault are an illustration of just how much his influence as Black America's emissary to the wider world has waned.

Bill Cosby Found Guilty Of All Charges In Sexual Assault Retrial

Bill Cosby departs the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., on Wednesday. Jacqueline Larma/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Jacqueline Larma/AP

National

Bill Cosby Found Guilty Of All Charges In Sexual Assault Retrial

WHYY

Jurors listened to more than two weeks of testimony from 25 witnesses, including five women who had never before confronted the entertainer in a criminal courtroom.

Bill Cosby Found Guilty Of All Charges In Sexual Assault Retrial

Listen · 4:38
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/606005482/606153464" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

In Closing, Cosby's Lawyers Call His Accuser A 'Pathological Liar'

Bill Cosby walks through the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., with his spokesman, Andrew Wyatt, during a break in his sexual assault retrial on Tuesday. Pool/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Pool/Getty Images

National

In Closing, Cosby's Lawyers Call His Accuser A 'Pathological Liar'

WHYY

On Tuesday, defense attorneys told jurors Andrea Constand's story could not be trusted. Prosecutors argued Bill Cosby was a sexual predator who preyed on "young, aspiring, unsuspecting women."

In Closing, Cosby's Lawyers Call His Accuser A 'Pathological Liar'

Listen · 2:41
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/605444941/605597068" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

The Cosby Trial: What You Need To Know

Andrea Constand leaves the courtroom after closing arguments on June 12, 2017. The judge declared a mistrial when the jury couldn't reach a verdict after more than 50 hours of deliberation. David Maialetti/AP hide caption

toggle caption
David Maialetti/AP

National

The Cosby Trial: What You Need To Know

WHYY

Bill Cosby heads to trial again on sexual assault charges arising from a 2004 encounter in his home. Last year, a jury couldn't decide on a verdict, so the judge declared a mistrial.

The Cosby Trial: What You Need To Know

Tuesday

Using Black Celebrities To Push Pop, Pudding And Politics

Michael Jackson appears at a news conference in New York in 1992, where it was announced that a marketing agreement had been struck between Jackson and Pepsi-Cola International. Richard Drew/Associated Press hide caption

toggle caption
Richard Drew/Associated Press

Opinion

Code Switch

Using Black Celebrities To Push Pop, Pudding And Politics

In the 1960s, Tom Burrell helped changed advertising by convincing agencies to tailor their pitches to black consumers, but he also saw his marketing work as part of a larger social project.

Using Black Celebrities To Push Pop, Pudding And Politics

Listen · 28:14
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/548738114/548738322" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Saturday

Judge Declares Mistrial In Bill Cosby Sexual Assault Case

Bill Cosby looks on as spokesman Andrew Wyatt triumphantly raises his fist outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., on Saturday. Cosby's legal and publicity team treated the mistrial as a victory, though prosecutors immediately said they plan to retry the case. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Matt Rourke/AP

The Two-Way

Judge Declares Mistrial In Bill Cosby Sexual Assault Case

After days of deliberations, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision — but this does not spell an end to the high-profile trial. Prosecutors say they will retry the case.

Monday

Friday

Wednesday

Thursday

New Museum Will Mention Sexual Assault Accusations Against Bill Cosby After All

Some of Bill Cosby's accusers were upset that the museum did not initially plan to include a reference to the sexual assault allegations against him. William Thomas Cain/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

The Two-Way

New Museum Will Mention Sexual Assault Accusations Against Bill Cosby After All

After days of criticism, the Smithsonian says the National Museum of African American History and Culture will make reference to the assault accusations against the comedian.

Monday

Monday