Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Bill Cosby's Accusers Will Speak During Hour-Long TV Special

cosbynov14.jpg

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Cosby on stage last November. (Getty)

The women who have come forward and accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault will now get to tell their harrowing stories during a one-hour special on A&E, called Cosby: The Women Speak. The program, which was announced today, will air this Thursday at 9 p.m.

Variety reports that the hour will include "intimate interviews with the accusers." Together, the network notes, the "new and past accusers tell us their story to help piece together the downfall of one of the most respected entertainers in American history." Here's a preview:

According to the LA Times, "The special will also look at the routine by comedian Hannibal Burress about Cosby that went viral, and a response by Cosby's representative to the continuing onslaught of accusations by women."

Out of the over 50 women, around a dozen took part in the show, including actress Louisa Moritz, publicist Joan Tarshis, and model Beverly Johnson, who says in the preview clip: “I think a lie always sees the light."

Johnson came forward last December, saying Cosby drugged her after she met him at an audition for The Cosby Show. When she realized she had been drugged, she screamed, and says he grabbed her "by my left arm... yanking all 110 pounds of me down a bunch of stairs." Her story has been one of the many that have come out, despite the efforts of Cosby and his team to silence these women.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today