KITCHENER, Ontario (AP) – Bill Cosby said he had a “wonderful time” and got a standing ovation from polite Canadian fans at his first show following a string of cancellations in the wake of sexual assault allegations from more than 15 women.
But outside protesters braved below-freezing weather to shame the ticket-holders as they streamed in and are likely to do so again at the second of three performances in Ontario today.
Cosby’s show in Kitchener was his first show since November when the entertainer saw at least ten performances get cancelled on his North American tour.
Like his last show in Melbourne, Florida on November 21 there were no disruptions during the performance and the crowd laughed throughout.
Wearing a sweater saying “hello friend”, Cosby climbed the stage decorated with two giant posters of him with Nelson Mandela.
“First of all thank you,” Cosby said to the audience before starting his routine with some cold weather jokes.
He left to a standing ovation that was somewhat slow to start.
Some ticket-holders had said they would boycott the performance, and the 2 000-seat venue was about two-thirds full. Several police officers and private security guards were posted throughout.
Outside the Centre in the Square, more than a dozen protesters carried signs saying “rape is no joke”. Some shouted “you support rape” and “shame on you” at fans. A few protesters blocked the doors of the venue until being asked to leave by security.
But fans defended Cosby as they arrived.
“I]m sceptical of all the accusations,” said Gerald Reinink. “I always loved Cosby, good family humour. Why are 20 women coming out now when it’s 20, 30 years ago?”
Dan Emerson said he was glad there were no hecklers inside the venue. “Innocent until proven guilty. I hope it’s not true and until I know otherwise I love him to death,” Emerson said.
Cosby, 77, is also scheduled to appear at the Budweiser Gardens in London today and at the Hamilton Place Theatre in Hamilton tomorrow.
Phylicia Rashad, who played Cliff Huxtable’s wife Claire on the Cosby Show, defended her co-star in an interview Wednesday with ABC World News Tonight. Rashad said she believed the allegations are part of a campaign to ruin Cosby’s legacy.
“He’s a genius. He is generous, he’s kind, he’s inclusive,” said Rashad, who first spoke to Roger Friedman earlier this week for his Showbiz911 blog. “This is not about the women. This is about something else. This is about the obliteration of legacy.”
