Ben Vereen Trivializes Rape Claims Against Bill Cosby

ET talked to several celebrities about the slew of allegations against comedian Bill Cosby at the premiere of Chris Rock’s “Top Five”. Jerry Seinfeld and Cedric the Entertainer expressed their sadness and shock over the situation, but actor Ben Vereen left no doubt where his sympathies lie:

“Pray for Bill Cosby. Pray for the ones who are scandalizing him, more so,” Ben Vereen told ET on the red carpet. He said that he loves and supports Cosby, adding “aren’t there more important things to talk about in this world?” pointing to hungry people and murders committed by ISIS, threats against America. We’re not sure we’re hearing this one right: did he say “the arts are in trouble”? Vereen said that he believes the majority of people are praying for Cosby. He was rewarded with public thanks from the embattled comedian on Twitter. Cosby also thanked two other supporters: comedian Whoopi Goldberg and actress Jill Scott.

But not everyone believes in Bill Cosby’s innocence or that he is being unfairly “scandalized” or that these women’s claims are unimportant. Anyone with any intelligence who has been reading about this matter knows that some of the Cosby accusers did not just come out of the woodwork to “scandalize” Cosby, but were willing to testify in a lawsuit brought against the comedian in 2005 by Andrea Costand, that was settled out of court.

Vulture: A Timeline of Abuse Charges Against Bill Cosby

In a New York Times article, journalist David Carr called the media, including himself, enablers, saying: “…the response from those in the know has been: What took so long?”

“What took so long,” he continues, “is that those in the know kept it mostly to themselves. No one wanted to disturb the Natural Order of Things….” He points to several journalists by name who stepped lightly around sexual accusations against Cosby, including himself.

“For decades, entertainers have been able to maintain custody of their image,”, Carr wrote, “regardless of their conduct. Many had entire crews of dust busters who came behind them and cleaned up their messes.” (Think Ray Donovan on the Showtime series of the same name. Ray works for a powerful law firm that represents the rich and famous and pays off people to cover up potential scandals.)

It seems like once Cosby’s attorneys manage to publicly discredit one accuser, the tide will turn and the recently filed lawsuit by 55-year-old Judy Huth, alleging that Cosby sexually assaulted her when she was 15 at the Playboy Mansion, seems made to order. In fact, the lawsuit was just filed on December 2nd, and Cosby’s attorneys had their answer and countersuit all ready to go 2 days later and TMZ had all the details discrediting the claims that same day.