Malcolm-Jamal Warner Talks Bill Cosby Scandal, Questions Why Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, And Stephen Collins Are Still On The Air


Malcolm-Jamal Warner has some strong words about the Bill Cosby sexual abuse scandal, but it’s not because he’s trying to defend his former TV dad. In an upcoming interview on The Real, Warner says while reruns of The Cosby Show have been pulled off of the air and it hurts him and the rest of his co-stars financially, there’s also another thing about the aftermath of the TV legend’s scandal that bothers him. Malcolm-Jamal pointed out that several other big Hollywood names who’ve been embroiled in sex scandals still seem to be celebrated.

In the interview on The Real, Malcolm-Jamal Warner says he doesn’t understand why Stephen Collins’ show, 7th Heaven, is still on the air, and he points out that Allen and Polanski’s movies are still celebrated. (In fact, Allen recently signed a lucrative scripted TV deal with Amazon.) Allen, Polanski, and Collins have all been accused of sexually molesting minors.

“When you look at… just how the media is playing this whole thing out, and I can’t help but think about Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, Stephen Collins, who it’s very clear the crimes they committed, but there’s no one that’s been calling for Woody’s movies to be pulled off the air… Roman Polanski is still celebrated, and Stephen Collins’ show still comes on. So it’s just interesting how it’s very unbalanced.”

Malcolm-Jamal Warner does not accuse the media of discriminating against Cosby because he’s black, but it is clear the issue is very disturbing to him — and not just because The Cosby Show ban is “literally taking money” out of his pocket. In an interview with the Associated Press last year, Warner said the beloved ’80s sitcom used to stand up against negative black stereotypes. The actor expressed sadness that future generations won’t know what the show was.

“We’ve always had The Cosby Show to hold up against negative stereotypes of people of color hat. And the fact that we no longer have that, that’s the thing that saddens me the most because in a few generations the Huxtables will have been just a fairy tale.”

Malcolm-Jamal Warner told The Real hosts that there has been some talk of taking Bill Cosby’s star off of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Warner makes it clear that while he finds his former co-star’s treatment in the media unfair, he’s not trying to defend his actions.

“I am in no position to defend him, because I can’t. But nor will I throw him under the bus.”

This is not the first time Malcolm-Jamal Warner has publicly addressed the Bill Cosby scandal. Last year, Warner told Billboard that it is painful to see his mentor going through a public crucifixion. At the time of his statements, many of the allegations against Cosby had not yet come out, and Malcolm-Jamal described his TV dad as a big influence on his life.

“He’s one of my mentors, and he’s been very influential and played a big role in my life as a friend and mentor. Just as it’s painful to hear any woman talk about sexual assault, whether true or not, it’s just as painful to watch my friend and mentor go through this.”

Even at that time, Malcolm-Jamal Warner said he couldn’t really speak to the allegations against his former co-star because he wasn’t there. But Warner pointed out that Bill made many contributions to show business and has done a lot for the black community.

“That’s the Bill Cosby I know, I can’t speak on the other stuff.”

Take a look at the video below to see Malcolm Jamal Warner talking about Bill Cosby on The Real.

[Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images]

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