After announcing their intention in January to bring him back to television, NBC has pulled the plug on their planned Bill Cosby pilot they were set to go ahead with.
NBC confirms it: “We can confirm that the Cosby project is no longer in development.” No further comment.
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 19, 2014
This comes in the wake of renewed accusations of rape against the 77-year-old comedian from multiple women. Most recently, former model Janice Dickinson told Entertainment Tonight Wednesday that Cosby raped her in 1982.
In addition to Dickinson, allegations from former publicist Joan Tarshis have come to light, who says Cosby raped her on two occasions in 1969.
More of this information likely would have come out in 2006, when Cosby settled a lawsuit with Andrea Constand, who claimed the former “Cosby Show” star drugged and raped her. If the case had gone to trial, 13 women, who claimed to have stories similar to Constand, were ready to testify.
Prior to the news from NBC, Netflix announced Wednesday night they are “postponing the launch of the new stand-up comedy special Bill Cosby 77.”
The Netflix special was set to appear on the streaming site next Friday.