Why Raven-Symoné Still Supports The Cosby Show Despite Bill Cosby’s ‘Horrific’ Allegations

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In the 1980s, The Cosby Show was a huge hit, making Bill Cosby one of America’s most beloved actors. Today, however, his reputation is very different, as he was convicted of sexual assault, though that conviction was later overturned. Many people struggle to separate his personal failings from his past success, but one former co-star of The Cosby Show doesn’t share that difficulty.

Raven-Symoné started her career in 1989 with a role on season six of The Cosby Show. Recently, while on Jamie Kenney’s Hate to Break it to Ya podcast, she discussed Bill Cosby and the show, explaining that she distinguishes between her feelings about the man and her memories of working on the program.

It’s important to distinguish the person who made something from the thing itself, and that’s a principle I always follow. This particular creation fundamentally altered America and the landscape of television.

It’s a common debate whether we can enjoy art separately from the artist who created it. Often, people discover that an artist they admire holds beliefs they strongly disagree with, or has even acted in ways that are unethical or unlawful. This leaves fans struggling to reconcile their appreciation for the work itself with their disapproval of the artist’s actions or views, especially when they still love the art.

Almost everyone agrees that The Cosby Show was incredibly important to many viewers. It truly did revolutionize television, but that didn’t prevent the Television Academy Hall of Fame from removing Bill Cosby as an honoree. This situation shows how a creator’s actions can ultimately affect their work.

It’s a difficult line to walk, and many disagree, but Raven-Symoné believes you can separate the art from the artist. She can still acknowledge the impact and importance of The Cosby Show on people and our culture, even while strongly disapproving of Bill Cosby’s behavior. She explained further…

He’s facing serious accusations. While those accusations don’t justify his actions, they relate to his private life, and we should keep them separate from his professional conduct. It’s important to acknowledge both aspects, but ultimately, our society is right to condemn wrongdoing, both in personal and professional spheres. There’s simply no excusing bad behavior.

Raven-Symoné’s reaction reflects what many other former cast members have expressed. A former producer acknowledged that the accusations against Bill Cosby initially damaged the show’s reputation, but expressed hope that viewers would eventually be able to enjoy it for its own qualities. Keisha Knight Pulliam, another actor who played a child on the show, has pointed out that The Cosby Show was a collaborative effort, and therefore still deserves recognition for its achievements.

Honestly, this feels like one of those things where there’s no easy answer, and everyone’s going to have to figure out what they think for themselves. I get why a lot of people probably agree with Raven-Symoné – it’s a really tough question, and I don’t think we’re all going to land on the same conclusion, and that’s okay.

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2025-11-06 20:42