One has to be aware of bias when consuming what passes for a “documentary” these days. Oftentimes, the things presented as “facts” are little more than skewed opinions. Most viewers gulp them down and choose to believe them without doing any research. This is not the case, however, with W. Kamau Bell’s “We Have to Talk About Cosby,” a 4-part Showtime documentary that explores the many nuances and angles of the rise and fall of America’s Dad. I finished part 4 last night and I can’t get it out of my head.
I loved Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids. It wasn’t just this roving gang of teenaged musicians, cracking wise and acting the fool. It was the life lessons that good ol’ Bill taught us, wearing his overalls and pretending to paint a fence. More than just wholesome entertainment, I found it to be educational and inspirational. My appreciation and admiration for Mr. Cosby grew through Picture Pages, a few films, and of course…The Cosby Show.
I got to see (well, hear) another side of Bill Cosby through the record albums that my Granny had in her collection. Frequently bored in their mobile home in Largo, I’d listen to Bill riff on facial hair, football, and life. I found him to be a master at crafting a story or joke, and at the time I would have ranked him as my #1 funny man (I hadn’t yet discovered Steve Martin’s “Wild and Crazy Guy”). His HBO special, Bill Cosby’s “Himself,” was an instruction manual on how to be funny without being obscene. I had no reason to believe that Bill Cosby was anything but a man steeped in morality, ethics, and principles.
Little did I know that I was watching and listening to a monster.
Like most of you, I had my initial doubts when one or two women came forward with allegations that Bill Cosby had drugged them and gotten inappropriate. However, the more women that came forward, the more difficult it was to ignore. Mr. Bell’s documentary does a deep dive into the complicated and complex legacy of Bill Cosby. The Cos undoubtedly opened doors for fellow Black entertainers. There are angles explored and points made in this documentary that White America couldn’t and wouldn’t have even thought about, had W. Kamau Bell not brought them to light. The women who sat down to speak candidly and brutally about their experiences with Bill are nothing short of heroic.
I won’t spoil too much, but I strongly encourage you to watch all four parts of this gripping, occasionally difficult-to-consume, and important documentary. When you finish it, you’ll realize that this is not someone who merely used his position of influence, power, and trust to prey upon young women. Bill Cosby created the personae of wholesomeness so that NO ONE WOULD BELIEVE THESE WOMEN if they ever came forward. It’s gross, unsettling, and so disappointing. Maybe you’ll have the same reaction that Jerry “I preyed upon at least one young woman myself” Seinfeld had and still be able to separate the art from the artist. Maybe you’ll feel disgusted and deceived that you ever admired this demon. You’ll undoubtedly walk away from “We Have to Talk About Cosby” with a reaction of some sorts, which makes W. Kamau Bell one hell of a documentarian.
I have to say it was a really well done documentary and I love Kamau and his delivery of the news or the way he crafts a story, but I guess I believed it from the beginning and sadly am never shocked anymore when I hear things like this... Which is sad I guess....But speaking of shocking documentaries Drew, this is not for the faint of heart.. Check out Dear Zachary, A letter to a son about his father.... It will leave you speechless... I stumbled on it and was really impressed , as sad of a story that it is, it was well done and still shocking .. Just putting it out there.. #LOD #FuckCancer
Not a Shannon, but believe it's still okay to comment. :-) Your writing is so crazy good. I feel like you're almost a savant. I met Cosby when I was working at V-103. He didn't say a word to me, but looked me up and down. It was Halloween and I was wearing an Atlanta Hawks Uniform. It was bizarre that he didn't speak to me. The only other person equal to that was Lee Greenwood. What got ME in your missive was that he created a "wholesome personae so no one would believe the women". (This is such a common tactic in courtrooms across the country. Blame the victim. Happens in guardianships, too.) Great substack. Thank you, Drew!