Since the accusations of drugging and rape that have surrounded Bill Cosby over the last year, many have questioned not only Cosby's legacy but also the legacy of The Cosby Show. There's no doubting that the series has been tarnished after over 40 women have accused the show's creator of drugging and sexual assault. And one of the show's executive producers feels the same way.
Tom Werner, half of famed production company Carsey-Werner, recently spoke about the show during the Television Critics Association's summer press tour. "I certainly think that at the moment the show is kind of tarnished," Werner told TV Insider.
Although Werner didn't comment on Cosby, he did elaborate on his comments following another appearance during the TCA tour while promoting his series Survivor's Remorse.
"Obviously, it's a challenging time for Bill Cosby and a challenging time for the show," Werner told the Hollywood Reporter, "but I'm hoping that people will still be able to watch the show and identify with the Huxtables."
What may make it hard for people to distinguish between the show and Cosby's real life is that there have been women who were on the show and who allege that they were one of his victims. So far the only cast member who has spoken out against Cosby is his TV son-in-law Joseph C. Phillips, who wrote a post called "Of Course Bill Cosby Is Guilty."
Although Werner is hoping that people will still look at The Cosby Show as "must-see TV," you'd be hard-pressed to find the show airing in syndication. TVLand, Bounce and Centric pulled the show from their lineups in May.