DC Trawler

House Of Cosbys

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The following comes from Channel101.com, a comedy site created by Dan Harmon (Community, being even tougher to work with than Chevy Chase, etc.) and Rob Schrab. It’s a very silly cartoon about a guy who figures out how to make clones of Bill Cosby, each with some particular trait. Basically, it was an excuse for a bunch of nerds to do their crappy Cosby impressions, build a goofy story around it, and animate it. It was a loving (if twisted) homage to a comedian they’d all grown up with.

Cosby’s lawyers sent Channel101 and filmmaker Justin Roiland a cease and desist letter when the cartoon first appeared 10 years ago:

Dear sirs,
we are lawyers for Mr. William H Cosby, Jr. We have just learned that you offer a deeply offensive animated film that you created, entitled “House of Cosbys”. […] As you are certainly aware, none of you are licensed or in any way authorized to use Mr. Cosby’s voice, name, or likeness. […] Therefore, we demand that you immediately cease and desist from any use of our client’s name, voice, and likeness, including the development and distribution of the “House of Cosbys” series.

Very truly yours,
John P. Schmitt

They took it down, but another guy put it back up because that’s how the Internet works. (See also: Fair Use.)

In light of Cosby’s recent troubles and his lawyers’ handling of them, this weird little cartoon seems almost prescient. Cosby has always tried to keep a tight rein on his reputation, but the rest of the world just won’t go along. And if even half of what these women are saying is true, now we know why he was “deeply offended.”

He and his attorneys have far more important things to worry about right now, so please enjoy House of Cosbys.

WARNING: ADULT LANGUAGE, NUDITY, AND A REMINDER OF A MORE INNOCENT TIME WHEN BILL COSBY ACTING LIKE A BIG CREEP SEEMED BIZARRE