The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
43°F
Current Conditions
Clear sky
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

Protesters heckle fans outside Cosby’s Ontario show

Protesters gather Wednesday outside the Centre in the Square theater in Kitchener, Ontario, where entertainer Bill Cosby was performing. (Associated Press)
From Wire Reports

Bill Cosby got a standing ovation from polite Canadian fans at the end of his first show since November, but protesters outside braved below-freezing weather to shame the ticket-holders as they streamed in.

Cosby’s show in Kitchener, Ontario, was the first of three performances planned in Canada’s Ontario province that come in the wake of sexual assault allegations from more than 15 women. The entertainer saw at least 10 performances get canceled on his North American tour.

Wearing a sweater saying “hello friend,” Cosby climbed the stage decorated with two giant posters of him with Nelson Mandela. Some in the audience gave loud whoops but the reception was subdued compared to the standing ovation at his last stage performance in Florida.

There were no disruptions during the performance and the crowd laughed throughout.

“I had a wonderful time,” Cosby said before leaving to a standing ovation.

Some ticket-holders had said they would boycott the performance, and the 2,000-seat venue was about two-thirds full. Several police officers and private security guards were posted throughout.

Cumberbatch, wife expecting baby

There’s good news – again – from “Sherlock” star Benedict Cumberbatch.

The actor and theater director Sophie Hunter announced in November that they were engaged. Now the couple says they are expecting their first baby.

Cumberbatch’s spokeswoman, Karon Maskill, confirmed the news in a brief statement Wednesday, saying “they are both over the moon.”

Cumberbatch, 38, rose to global popularity with his modern-day portrayal of Britain’s most famous sleuth in the BBC series “Sherlock.” He has also garnered praise for his role as World War II code-breaker Alan Turing in the film “The Imitation Game.”

Hunter, 36, is known as a director of avant-garde plays.

The birthday bunch

Actor-comedian Larry Storch is 92. Singer Shirley Bassey is 78. Game show host Bob Eubanks is 77. Rhythm-and-blues singer Anthony Gourdine (Little Anthony and the Imperials) is 74. Actress Yvette Mimieux is 73. Physicist Stephen Hawking is 73. Rock musician Robby Krieger (The Doors) is 69. Rock singer David Bowie is 68. Singer R. Kelly is 48. Actress-rock singer Jenny Lewis is 39. Actress Gaby Hoffman is 33.