Bill Maher wants you to know that he’s never been a fan of Bill Cosby. And his disapproval doesn’t just stem from Cosby’s conviction for sexual assault, but also from Maher’s long-held belief that Cosby was not a particularly talented comedian. In a recent podcast episode, Maher revealed that he has been aware of Cosby’s predatory behavior for over forty years.
When comedian Paul Reiser praised Cosby as the ultimate stand-up comedian, Maher disagreed, asserting, “I disagree, but go ahead.” While Reiser attempted to share a story about his early encounters with Cosby in the comedy world, Maher interjected, stating, “I was never a fan… regardless of the assault allegations, purely from a comedic perspective.”
Maher emphasized his ability to separate an artist from their actions, citing his willingness to listen to music by controversial figures like R. Kelly and Michael Jackson. He emphasized, “The music itself did not commit any crimes.” Referring to Cosby’s crimes as “the unpleasantness,” Maher maintained that he had never found Cosby funny even before the assault allegations came to light. He noted that Jerry Seinfeld shared his sentiment, recalling Seinfeld’s comments on art and the artist from 2017.
During their conversation, when Reiser pondered the potential cancellation of historical figures like Mozart due to their personal flaws, Maher drew a distinction. He asserted, “There are troublesome individuals, and then there are true monsters. Cosby falls into the latter category.” Maher recounted an incident from his early days in the film industry in 1983, where a woman who had previously worked with Cosby revealed disturbing details of her experiences with him. Maher recalled her stating, “For the first three weeks, he tried to take advantage of me, and when that failed, he made my life on set a nightmare.” Maher admitted, “I have despised him ever since that moment. The subsequent revelations only confirmed my negative perceptions of him.”
Cosby has been accused of raping or sexually assaulting over sixty women, with at least twenty of these incidents reported to have occurred post-1983. In 2018, he was found guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault, though this conviction was later overturned due to legal technicalities. Despite these accusations and legal battles, Cosby, now 87 years old, remains a free man.
Bill Maher’s candid reflections on his longstanding aversion to Bill Cosby shed light on the complexities of separating a person’s art from their actions. Maher’s unwavering stance against Cosby, both as a comedian and as a predator, underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for their reprehensible conduct. Through Maher’s narratives and insights, a deeper understanding of the repercussions of Cosby’s actions emerges, serving as a stark reminder of the enduring impact of his crimes on his victims and the broader cultural landscape.
