Why Bill Cosby Still Matters.

This post may seem odd. Why speak of Bill Cosby now?  He doesn’t have a new show or a new book and despite the fact we unfortunately only tend to celebrate the greats posthumously, no Bill Cosby hasn’t died.

I’ve admired Bill Cosby for 25 years.  He told Blacks that buying kids $200 sneakers would have perverse effects on the Community.  He was right. He told contemporary comedians that cursing in their act made it vulgar, not funnier.  Right again.

But mostly, I’ve admired Bill Cosby for what he’s done on TV.  I’ve used this tribune often to praise or critique television as I, am a child of the medium. During the downtime of the holidays, I watched a lot of TV.  Partly as research and partly to escape Winter.  Much good is being done on television. PBS, for example, remains one of my greatest education tools.  Still, today’s TV often leaves me yearning for more.  Blame it on Bill Cosby & The Cosby Show.

From the mid-80′s to the early 90′s, I spent every Thursday night at home, watching The Cosby Show.  8 o’clock: the time at which faithfuls congregated to watch “The Cos” and the family everyone wanted to have.  In addition to breaking many stereotypes, The Cosby Show was a podium for legends who helas, were no longer offered the spotlight they still deserved. Lena Horne, Christopher Plummer, Debbie Allen, Sônia Braga, Dizzy Gillespie Sammy Davis, Jr., B.B. King, Melba Moore, Tito Puente and I’ll never forget, Stevie Wonder.  Now that’s television!  Bill Cosby poured effort and thought into the show that bared his name.  Not only as its epicenter but also as one of its executive producers.

Bill Cosby should be a model for anyone who wants to be on TV.  Today’s television is inundated with one too many reality stars whose claim to fame is well, only that.  Where’s the talent? Where’s the craft?   We pay more and more for cable nowadays, do we not deserve more as viewers? Yes, we do.  And, as I slowly make my way behind the camera, I’m making note of it.

Stevie Wonder on The Cosby Show