Bill Cosby, erased from 'The Cosby Show'

[cookiemdough]

Weird. Play the original and let people choose if they will watch or don't play it at all, but don't make ridiculous edits to the "Cosby" show.

[2curlydogs]

I'm confused. What is the film maker's point with this? You know he has one.

[elleblue]

Feb 12, 2016 17:52:55 GMT -5 2curlydogs said:

I'm confused. What is the film maker's point with this? You know he has one.

I don't know. But to me it felt like the ultimate way to show how we as a society prefer to erase people from our history when it's more convenient. The show was pulled from syndication, plans for a new show were scrapped, and I'm not arguing those were the wrong moves, only that it reflects how difficult it is for us to admit our one time heroes and have flaws, especially major ones. It's painful to have something so beloved and cherished in cultural memory become tarnished. Much easier to sweep it under the rug and pretend it didn't exist, even though the clip above shows how empty it is without Cosby in it. There's an absence there that can't be ignored, despite how much we'd prefer things were different. 

[summer]

You can't edit out the main character. Or what cookiemdough said.

[2curlydogs]

Maybe that's his point? Like "Ok. Here's what happens when you try to erase him." Rather than facing the uncomfortable truths and having a discussion about what this means.

I'm not even sure my white ass knows what the larger discussion really is. I have an idea what Cosby meant/means to the black community - how be broke barriers, normalized black family life, etc. And what it must mean to have that sullied because he turned out to be a serial rapist. How do you reconcile the two? I haven't a fucking clue, but I'm pretty sure erasing him is not the answer.

[sfy]

Feb 12, 2016 17:52:55 GMT -5 2curlydogs said:

I'm confused. What is the film maker's point with this? You know he has one.

Attention? And look, it worked .

I haven't seen the Cosby Show in forever, but I'd still watch to and enjoy it in spite of thinking he's a POS serial rapist. I wouldn't watch his stand ups anymore because I'm not amused by him nor interested in his POV on anything. But I could watch him play a character as part of an ensemble cast that I grew up with and adored. Similarly, I still watch and enjoy Seinfeld even though I know Michael Richards would probably jump at the chance to call me the n word. Not watching for him personally, but I'm also not going to allow these idiots to tarnish something I've loved.

[ttt]

It's supposed to make a statement, not be a real alternative to the show. He's not actually expecting that people watch it like they would watch a regular episode.

I think it makes an interesting point about the things elleblue mentioned above and also, where is the line between an artist or performer and the art/performance? Can you enjoy a song even if the person who wrote it or sings it is a horrible person? Should we look at art on its own or is the artist and who the artist is necessarily an inseparable part of it?

[sfy]

Feb 13, 2016 8:47:07 GMT -5 ttt said:

It's supposed to make a statement, not be a real alternative to the show. He's not actually expecting that people watch it like they would watch a regular episode.

I think it makes an interesting point about the things elleblue mentioned above and also, where is the line between an artist or performer and the art/performance? Can you enjoy a song even if the person who wrote it or sings it is a horrible person? Should we look at art on its own or is the artist and who the artist is necessarily an inseparable part of it?

I can't listen to R. Kelly. I feel like his music is singing to little girls and I just can't deal (although, as previously confessed to on MM, I have managed to get past this loathing for the Ignition Remix. I have not disclosed this to DH or DS who automatically turn the station when R. Kelly comes on and I'm around.). Usually, I can separate the art and the artist completely.

[aurora]

I think there is a difference between things like the Cosby Show that stood the test of time and were loved by so many before we learned of Cosby's abuses and more real-time awareness of artists' transgressions.

Even if art is still good despite an artist being hateful or abusive or whatever, I'm usually not interested in purchasing art that will give more money to the artist.