By XIAOLI CANGDAO
Culture Correspondent
BEIJING (China Daily Show) – Announcing last-minute plans to air re-runs of classic 1980s sitcom The Cosby Show in China, legal representatives of the troubled comedian Bill Cosby suggested the move was a “step forward in ratings relations.”
“With American media still choosing to focus on unproven allegations regarding my client’s behavior from the 1970s, right up even to the late 1980s, and even the early 1990s – which was a long time ago anyway – China is not,” said lawyer Martin D. Singer.
“By picking up all seven seasons of The Cosby Show at a frankly extremely reasonable cost, Zhejiang Provincial Satellite TV is instead choosing to look forward.”
Cosby, 77, is currently facing dozens of accusations that he is a serial rapist and child abuser. His lawyer argues that now is the perfect time to syndicate the defunct Cosby Show, which has been pulled from many US networks since the scandal broke.
“Many Chinese look to America as a bastion of integrity in an increasingly fragmented modern society. But they’re also concerned about recent developments, such as those regarding police brutality in Ferguson and elsewhere,” said Singer.
“Airing old Cosby repeats will reassure foreign viewers that race relations in America are just as good as they were in the 1980s.”
Cosby, who recently accepted an honorary degree from Wuhan’s No. 4 University of Pharmaceuticals, added that he was especially proud of the deal. “The Chinese will like it, you see,” Cosby told reporters. “Because of our shared family values and the thing with… the sweaters.”
Got a tip? Contact us at cds@chinadailyshow.net
Follow this and other leading China news at @chinadailyshow on Twitter