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Raven-Symoné Says Cosby’s Work Should Be Viewed Apart From Misconduct Allegations

Her comments revisit the tension between the sitcom’s cultural imprint versus decades of assault accusations, with his 2018 conviction overturned in 2021.

Overview

  • Raven-Symoné made the remarks on Jamie Kennedy’s Hate to Break It to Ya podcast on Nov. 3, with outlets widely reporting them on Nov. 6–7.
  • She urged audiences to “separate the creator from the creation,” saying The Cosby Show “changed America” and “changed television.”
  • The actress credited Bill Cosby with pushing for Black talent in front of and behind the camera and said the series still merits recognition; she played Olivia Kendall from 1989 to 1992.
  • More than 60 women have accused Cosby of sexual misconduct over decades, allegations he has denied, with related civil actions continuing in recent years.
  • Cosby was convicted in 2018 of aggravated indecent assault against Andrea Constand and sentenced to three to 10 years, then released in 2021 when Pennsylvania’s high court overturned the conviction due to a prior non-prosecution agreement.