Comedian and actor Bill Cosby, whose legacy as America's Favorite TV dad has been sullied by a multitude of allegations of sexual assault, has recently been touring the US to both applause and jeers. But Bay Area hecklers might have to travel further than expected to harangue the pudding pop shill, as it was announced today that he's canceled his upcoming appearance at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa.
According to a press release sent by the WFCFTA, Cosby's planned June appearance "has been indefinitely postponed," "by mutual agreement" of tour promoter John Low and Cosby.
The reason for this strange phrasing? According to a report in The Bohemian published last week, before the cancellation was announced, that when questioned abut the wisdom of having a guy facing so many rape allegations come to tread their boards, the WFCFTA said that matters were out of their hands.
The publicist who represents the Wells Fargo center and the head of marketing and promotions at the Santa Rosa venue both say the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is not "presenting" this event. That's being done by promoter John Low, who is bringing Cosby to Santa Rosa for the third time. And, indeed, the show is listed as "John Low Presents: Bill Cosby" on the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts website.Anne Abrams, publicist for the Wells Fargo Center, says the distinction over who is presenting the event may "seem like we are splitting hairs." Indeed it does, since the venue has the discretion, which it is not exercising, to cancel or postpone the show. It's the only show on the 2015 schedule billed as "Presented by John Low" at the Wells Fargo Center.
Kyle Clausen, director of marketing and promotions at the center, says Low is a "well-respected" promoter out of San Francisco, and that the center isn't about to compromise a professional relationship with him. The Wells Fargo Center has a contract with Low, Clausen says, and the Cosby deal was put together before this latest toe-sucking charge surfaced.
Clausen says there is "a perception in the community over whether we have complete control over whether this happens. We have a contract with John Low—a legally binding contract to put this on."
Clausen says he "wants to do what's best for everybody," and that includes "preserving the relationship with John Low."
Ticketholders will "automatically be issued a refund," the WFCFTA says.
But don't lose hope, local Cosby fans and foes: the man who Eddie Murphy refused to impersonate has an appearance slated for Cupertino's Flint Center, "Date TBA." We'll keep you posted!
