Bill Cosby ‘Late Show’ Appearance Canceled After Rape Allegations Resurface

In yet another canceled appearance, Bill Cosby will no longer be on The Late Show next week.

Cosby had been scheduled for the Nov. 19 episode but has been replaced by Regis Philbin, to whom host David Letterman has often turned to fill in when a guest cancels.

Read more Bill Cosby Memes Shames Comedian for Rape Allegations

It is unclear whether Cosby or The Late Show canceled the appearance. A rep for The Late Show declined to comment. 

Cosby has been the center of controversy after allegations he sexually assaulted multiple women resurfaced. In 2006, the comedian settled out of court with a woman who claimed he’d sexually assaulted her. According to court documents, the attorneys planned to bring forward 13 other women with similar allegations. Cosby has denied these allegations.

Read more Alleged Bill Cosby Rape Victim: “Why Wasn’t I Believed?”

But the claims re-emerged after critics complained that a new Cosby biography left out the rape allegations. A rant from stand-up comedian Hannibal Buress about the allegations also brought them to the forefront, as well as the news in January that Cosby was reteaming with NBC for a new sitcom.

Cosby recently withdrew from a planned appearance on The Queen Latifah Show, while a meme contest publicized on Cosby’s Twitter account became a platform for his critics to lash out at the comedian over the rape allegations. 

Nov. 15, 10:30 a.m.: Updated with Late Show declined comment.

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