How W. Kamau Bell Feels About Invoice Cosby’s Introduced Return to Stand-Up Stage

Sundance kicked off its fest with a mountain-chic opening evening fundraiser whose slate of honorees included We Have to Discuss About Cosby creator W. Kamau Bell.

The comedian and filmmaker, who picked up the nonfiction Vanguard Award introduced by Acura on the IMDbPro-presented occasion, provided his tackle the information that disgraced comic Invoice Cosby is mounting plans for a stand-up tour.

“It’s clear to me that there are folks round Invoice Cosby who really feel the necessity to maintain his identify within the press. He’s 85 years outdated. I don’t know lots of 85-year-old comedians on tour, particularly along with his historical past. I do know that my identify is perpetually going to be tied to Invoice Cosby due to this undertaking, and I’m happy with the work put into it and I stand by it, however I received’t be shopping for tickets if he goes on tour.”

In accepting his award, Bell, feted by Cassandro filmmaker Roger Ross Williams, detailed his path from “weirdo” to stand-up comedy fan to slapstick comedian to govt producer and director of the award-winning We Have to Discuss About Cosby. Bell stated there have been occasions throughout the manufacturing of the sequence that he needed to ask himself the query, “Whose concept was this?” he recalled, ensuring to shout out his mentors and collaborators who helped alongside the way in which.

“It was a solution to remind myself that this was certainly my concept. I might solely blame myself. It was comforting.” He additionally credited his solely baby cred and outsider standing as being key to his profession. “Our weirdness is our superpower.”

This story first appeared within the Jan. 27 difficulty of The Hollywood Reporter journal. Click on right here to subscribe.