Bill Cosby 4 - H 2014
AP Images/InvisionIn uncomfortable, newly released footage, Bill Cosby refuses to answer questions about allegations that he sexually assaulted multiple women.
Also read NBC Scraps Bill Cosby Comedy in Wake of Rape Allegations
The Associated Press released footage from the Nov. 6 interview Wednesday. In the video, Cosby repeatedly says “there is no comment” when asked about the allegations. He is seated next to his wife Camille, who participated in the interview about artwork they had loaned to an exhibition in Washington, D.C.
“There is no comment about that, and I’ll tell you why,” Cosby told the reporter. “I don’t want to compromise your integrity, but I don’t talk about it.”
Cosby later asked the reporter for assurance that none of that portion of the interview would be used.
“I would appreciate it if it was scuttled,” Cosby said.
He went on to tell the reporter, “if you consider yourself to be serious,” then he wouldn’t use the footage.
Read more Bill Cosby Tour Continues on Amid Rape Allegations
“We thought, by the way, because it was AP, that it wouldn’t be necessary to go over that question,” Cosby said. “If you would tell your boss the reason why we didn’t say that up front is because we thought the AP had the integrity to not ask.”
Cosby faces multiple allegations of sexual assault from women who say the comedian attacked them years ago. Amid the controversy, NBC scrapped a planned series, Netflix postponed a comedy special, and TV Land pulled repeats of The Cosby Show. Cosby has denied the allegations through statements from his reps and attorneys. The most recent allegation came from former supermodel Janice Dickinson, who alleged Cosby raped her in 1982.
Cosby was previously asked about the allegations by NPR’s Scott Simon, and responded with silence.
Email: Aaron.Couch@THR.com
Twitter: @AaronCouch
