Networks Back Away From Bill Cosby As Rape Allegations Pile-Up – Tha Wire

Today in Tha Wire the fallout from the rape allegations against Bill Cosby go from bad to worse and Bob Marley's estate prepares to distribute "herb" in 2015.

It’s going from bad to worse for legendary actor/comedian/humanitarian Bill Cosby.  As decade old rape allegations come back to the surface, several lucrative deals have falling through.  It all started in 2000, where a woman named Lachele Covington filed a police report accusing Cosby of groping her in his apartment.  After that, woman started coming out of the woodwork claiming everything from rape, sexual assault to being drugged.

By 2005, 13 women had come forward with similar allegations, but Bill Cosby was never tried or charged with anything.  However, he did settle out of court for an undisclosed amount in one instance.   Last week the allegations of sexual assault were given new life after Hollywood Elsewhere published an essay by journalist Joan Tarshis who claimed the iconic comedian raped her in 1969 when she was 19 years old.  Then Tuesday this week, former model Janice Dickinson accused Cosby of raping her in 1982 during an interview with Entertainment Tonight.  Dickinson claims the Cos raped her after he spiked her drink or gave her a pill.

So far the 77-year old entertainer has been quiet, but all the drama is proving to be too much for several networks he had deals with.   AllHipHop reports Netflix has announced it was going to postpone premiering Cosby’s, stand-up comedy special taped on his 77th birthday, because he jokes about relationships, marriage and children.   And that's just the beginning. Listen to Tha Wire below to get more details.

Meanwhile, the only one that has his back these days is actress Raven-Symoné.  The former Cosby kid, has come forward and denied rumors that her TV grandfather violated her, taking to her Instagram to shut down the chatter saying,

“I was NOT taking advantage of by Mr. Cosby when I was on the Cosby Show!” said the child star. “I was practically a baby on that show and this is truly a disgusting rumor that I want no part of! Everyone on that show treated me with nothing but kindness. Now keep me out of this!”

Finally, Bob Marley's estate is getting ready to launch a joint business venture with a firm called Privateer Holdings, to distribute Marley Natural.  Answering the reggae legends call to “ legalize it”, his estate is going to sell premium heirloom Jamaican cannabis starting in 2015.

Bob Marley has been dead for 33 years, however his daughter Cedella Marley says he was big on "the herbs" healing power.  In a statement to BET she revealed, “My dad would be so happy to see people understanding the healing power of the herb.  He viewed the herb as something spiritual that could awaken our well-being, deepen our reflection, connect us to nature and liberate our creativity.”

Marley son, Rohan Marley said of the new family business “We are joining with Privateer Holdings because they understand and respect our father’s legacy.”  The music legends widow Rita Marley is also on board saying, “My husband believed ‘the herb’ was a natural and positive part of life and he felt it was important to the world. He looked forward to this day.”

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