NBC may want to consider the results of a survey regarding Bill Cosby commissioned by Variety, finding the overwhelming majority of respondents don’t feel the network should be in business with the comedian.
Seventy-two percent believe the Peacock should not go forward with a Cosby comedy series in development in the wake of new sexual-assault allegations raised against him.
Fifty-one percent of the 1,000 people surveyed Monday by celebrity brand expert Jeetendr Sehdev also reported thinking “the same” of the veteran comedian, more than the 41% who felt negatively and the 8% who reacted positively.
Sehdev interpreted that result as a reflection of the reservoir of goodwill the public retains regarding his body of work. “This is most likely driven by his family-centric, funnyman persona and his age,” he said.
Asked how likely they were to watch Cosby on TV in light of the allegations, 44% responded “not likely” while 35% were indifferent. The remaining 21% characterized themselves as “very likely,” which suggests the scandal may have created some degree of renewed interest in the comedian.
“However, the sexual assault allegation charges seem to have taken their toll on the number of people willing to engage with his brand,” noted Sehdev.
Most respondents believe Cosby guilty of the allegations he’s facing, with 59% of those surveyed believing the charges. A slightly higher number also felt Cosby should have responded verbally to the recent NPR interview in which he fell silent when asked about the women who have come forward suggesting he behaved inappropriately toward them.
