Director W. Kamau Bell kicks off his four-part Showtime docuseries, "We Need to Talk About Cosby," with a question that makes everyone uncomfortable: Who is Bill Cosby?
His interview subjects curse under their breath and squirm in their seats as they attempt to formulate responses: A monster. America's dad. An alleged rapist. Someone to believe in, someone to trust. An intelligent, malignant narcissist. A tragedy.
In the compelling new series, which premiered Saturday at the Sundance Film Festival and Jan. 30 on Showtime, comedian and host Bell wrestles with our dueling images of Cosby the Black pioneer and cultural icon and Cosby the alleged serial sexual predator. Can and should we separate the man from his art? What is his effect on generations of Black Americans? And can we honor pieces of his shattered legacy while still recognizing the damage he wrought? Nothing is tied up in a neat bow, and that's largely what's so engrossing about this series. It struggles, like the rest of us, with where to put Cosby.
