Bill Cosby was sentenced to prison for 3-10 years and labeled a “sexually violent predator” yesterday. Please read Andrea Constand’s powerful victim impact statement. She was brave beyond measure and I am so relieved that she and the 60+ other women who were assaulted by Bill Cosby can have a measure of comfort that justice was, in a small way, served.
My husband grew up in Philadelphia where Bill Cosby was revered as a hometown hero, an important cultural icon long before he became one for the rest of America on The Cosby Show, and as my husband put it, he “could not take pleasure” in yesterday’s news. I don’t know so much that it is pleasure that I take in Cosby’s arrest, conviction and imprisonment, as it is relief that finally, in a significant way, a powerful and revered man was held accountable for his despicable actions — despite a lack of hard forensic evidence. It is a relief that women’s voices were believed over a carefully constructed public persona — a result that that was not a foregone conclusion even in this era of #MeToo.
Let us be clear, Bill Cosby’s story is a terrible fall from grace. I am heartbroken for the African-American community who lost one of their heroes and advocates; I am heartbroken for my husband’s community in Philadelphia who were so proud of their native son and the tremendous good he had done in their city and beyond; and I am heartbroken for our culture, because The Cosby Show was important and groundbreaking and instrumental in shaping a generation — my own — to become more colorblind.
But it is important that we — our society — learn from Cosby’s fate a valuable lesson: it is possible that a person can do good things, even great things in this world and still be a predator who deserves justice for their crimes. Cosby was a trailblazing figure in the African-American community; Harvey Weinstein was a financial champion for liberal causes that helped oppressed communities; Asia Argento helped create the fire that became the #MeToo movement; and Brett Kavanaugh is a well-respected judge, former altar boy and upstanding member of his current community. Predators — like every other human being on this planet — are multi-faceted, but that does not mean they should be allowed to hide behind their prettiest face.
Television Critics Association is stripping Cosby of the Career Achievement Award they gave him 16 years ago. But his Hollywood Star isn’t going anywhere.
Meanwhile, over in the Kavanaugh debacle, Michael Avenatti just revealed his client with allegations against the judge, claiming that she was a witness and victim to his horrific abusive behavior towards girls in high school, including drugging and gang rape. This is a shocking and explosive list of allegations, and if the Senate continues to refuse to investigate properly any of the accusations against Kavanaugh before Friday’s vote … well, I don’t even know what. We burn it all down?
Elsewhere, President Sexual Abuser is busy victim blaming to absolutely no one’s surprise, while Tucker Carlson is comparing Kavanaugh’s accusers to the accusers in the Salem Witch Hunts.
The Judiciary Committee hearing featuring Dr. Blasey Ford is tomorrow, and I do not have nearly enough bourbon in this house to get me through it.
Padma Lakshmi wrote openly and honestly about her rape in The New York Times. It’s heartbreaking. “Some say a man shouldn’t pay a price for an act he committed as a teenager. But the woman pays the price for the rest of her life, and so do the people who love her.”
Thomas Ravenel from Bravo’s Southern Charm was arrested for assault and battery.
We now know the details about why Adam Berkowitz is out at CAA: at an Emmys after-party, Berkowitz allegedly grabbed Ben Stephenson, Head of Television for J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot, by the crotch. I MEAN, HAS HE NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THE TERRY CREWS STORY? WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?
Well, this is ironic: Les Moonves was working on a deal to extend Charlie Rose’s contract for another two years when the shit hit the fan.
The assault charge against Houston Astro Roberto Osuna has been dropped, but my disgust with the Astros for signing him has not.
America’s Got Talent finalist Michael Ketterer will not be charged with domestic abuse after all (which is not surprising since his wife didn’t want to charge him in the moment).
No, Judi Dench, just … no.
A final note before we move on to lighter fare: I genuinely believe that if anything is ever going to change in our society, it is important for us to talk about these stories, these horrors. That said, I know that the inundation of stories can be too much for survivors. Take care of yourselves, it’s going to be a long haul:
I see you.
In Other Not So Horrible TV News
Since he outed himself on my Facebook page, I can now reveal that it was my buddy Andrew Dansby at the Houston Chronicle who tried to make me blog New Amsterdam. His plot foiled by one single vote, Dansby was forced to do the heavy lifting of blogging a paint-by-number medical drama on his own. It’s all you, Dansby.
Andrew Lincoln will probably be back to The Walking Dead … as a director. Meanwhile, the other actor who is leaving the show, Lauren Cohan, might return in season 10.
And here is an interesting take on The Walking Dead fandom.
A Stranger Things comic book will reveal what happened to Will during his time in the Upside Down, in case you were wondering.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is joining the Veronica Mars writing staff. Obviously.
If you don’t want to know how Lethal Weapon got rid of Clayne Crawford, don’t read this post.
If Lisa Vanderpump isn’t VanderTaping with the rest of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, it’s going to be a very VanderBoring season.
CMT is going to honor Loretta Lynn with a Lifetime Achievement Award which, terrific. But how the hell did Shania Twain get a Lifetime Achievement Award before Loretta Lynn? I DEMAND ANSWERS.
The head of AT&T wants more HBO content. This after HBO was like, “Don’t worry about AT&T trying to make us make more content.” This after AT&T was like, “HBO IS DEFINITELY GOING TO GIVE US SO MUCH MORE CONTENT.”
We’ve got to get through this Game of Thrones hiatus somehow:
This isn’t a TV story, just a dirty joke about Donald Trump by Buddy Hackett from a long time ago. It’s my blog, I do what I want.
In Development
- Bless the Harts, an animated series featuring the voices of Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jillian Bell, and Ike Barinholtz, has been ordered by Fox.
- NBC has ordered a father-son comedy from Jon and Josh Silberman.
- North Korea From the Inside With Michael Palin will air on National Geographic in the U.S.
- Raq Rants, a late-night talk show, has been set at BET.
- Robert and Michelle King, the creators of The Good Wife and The Good Fight, have re-upped their deal with CBS.
- The Demons of Dorian Gunn is not going to Pop after all.
Casting News
- Joshua Jackson is leaving The Affair.
- Will Pauley Perrette going to guest star on Bull? Maybe.
- Here are your Dancing with the Stars Juniors cast members with their partners and mentors and I will say this: thank you, sweet readers, for not making me do this show.
- Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki are guest starring on The Conners.
- Eva Green and Eve Hewson are joining BBC’s The Luminaries.
- Jonica T. Gibbs, Christina Elmore, Gabrielle Graham, and Sophina Brown have been cast as the leads in Lena Waithe’s TBS comedy, Twenties.
- Tom Wlaschiha is joining Jack Ryan.
- WWE Superstar The Big Show is joining the cast of Syfy’s Happy.
- Justin Cornwell is joining the cast of The InBetween on NBC.
- Harriet Walter and Frances O’Connor are starring in The End for Sky.
- Sophie Reynolds is joining L.A.’s Finest.
- Andrea Kremer and Hannah Storm will serve as the first all-female NFL broadcast team for Thursday Night Football — on Amazon Prime.
Mark Your Calendars
- Loudermilk will return on Audience Network on October 16.
- Mystery Science Theater 3000 will return on Netflix on November 22 — Thanksgiving Day.
- No Activity will return on CBS All Access on November 22.
- The Lost Tapes: Clinton Impeachment will air on Smithsonian Channel on October 29.
- For My Man returns on TV One on October 1.
R.I.P.
Frank Parker, Actor who played a Days of Our Lives patriarch
Paul John Vasquez, Actor known for his work on Sons of Anarchy
WATCH THIS
American Horror Story: Apocalypse: “Forbidden Fruit.” 9 p.m., FX
The Real Housewives of Dallas: “Kameron faces off with Court in a fight for the future of Sparkle Dog.” Lord. 8 p.m., Bravo
Empire: “Cookie and Lucious are still in the midst of picking up the pieces two years after losing Empire to Eddie Barker.” Season premiere. 7 p.m., Fox
The Goldbergs: “It’s Adam’s 16th birthday, but his parents are distracted by Barry and Lainey’s engagement.” Season premiere. 7 p.m., ABC
Chicago Med: “Goodwin finds herself quickly clashing with the new hospital COO.” Season premiere. 7 p.m., NBC
Survivor: Season premiere. 7 p.m., CBS
American Housewife: “Katie goes back to work.” Season premiere. 7:30 p.m., ABC
Chicago Fire: “Boden… clashes with new Assistant Deputy Commissioner.” Season premiere. 8 p.m., NBC
Modern Family: “The Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan get together at the annual Fourth of July parade.” Season premiere. 8 p.m., ABC
Star: “Star returns home from touring, and Alex and Simone’s fates are finally answered.” Season premiere. 8 p.m., Fox
Single Parents: Single parents parent. Series premiere. 8:30 p.m., ABC
Chicago P.D.: “Antonio takes charge, but Ruzek undermines his authority.” There is so much CLASHING on these Chicago dramas! Season premiere. 9 p.m., NBC
A Million Little Things: thirty-something meets This is Us in your newest emotionally manipulative show. Series premiere. 9 p.m., ABC
South Park: Season premiere. 9 p.m., Comedy Central
Big Brother: Season finale. 8:30 p.m., CBS
Late Night: Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Alexander Skarsgard, Shaquille O’Neal, Bad Bunny Late Night with Seth Meyers: Kevin Hart, Kristen Bell, Hari Nef, Ben Sesar The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Candice Bergen, Jacinda Ardern The Late Late Show with James Corden: Max Greenfield, Sophie Turner, Josh Groban Jimmy Kimmel Live: Riz Ahmed, Brad Garrett, Avril Lavigne Conan: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jamie Neumann, Chad Daniels The Daily Show: Bill Gates Watch What Happens Live: Naomi Campbell, Cuba Gooding Jr.
| WEDS. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
| ABC | The Goldbergs (new) |
American Housewife (new) |
Modern Family (new) |
Single Parents (new) |
A Million Little Things (new) |
| CBS | Survivor (new) |
Big Brother (new) |
| CW | Burden of Truth (new) |
Supergirl (repeat) |
Local |
| FOX | Empire (new) |
Star (new) |
News/Local |
| NBC | Chicago Med (repeat) |
Chicago Fire (new) |
Chicago P.D. (new) |
I watched the first episode of Manifest. A paint-by-number medical drama might be better.