Lawyer: Cosby failed to ‘read’ gay victim
A lawyer for Bill Cosby’s first accuser on Tuesday questioned his self-described ability to “read” people’s sexual cues, given that her client is gay.
Andrea Constand, employed by the Temple University women’s basketball team when she met Cosby in the early 2000s, was dating a woman around that time, according to court filings unsealed this month. She considered Cosby to be a friend and mentor.
“Despite his talent for interpreting female reactions to him, he did not realize plaintiff was gay until the police told him,” lawyer Dolores Troiani wrote in a motion Tuesday involving the secrecy clause underpinning their 2006 settlement.
Constand’s lawsuit inspired a cascade of similar accusations that Cosby drugged and molested women throughout his 50-plus years as an entertainer and champion of family values.
The 78-year-old Cosby, in a deposition released this month, said he had romantic feelings for Constand the moment he spotted her at Temple, where he served on the board of trustees. Cosby’s lawyers didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday and haven’t returned repeated messages left this month.
Broderick joins Broadway cast
Two-time Tony Award-winner Matthew Broderick has joined the upcoming cast of A.R. Gurney’s “Sylvia” on Broadway.
Broderick, who recently appeared in “It’s Only a Play,” joins previously announced Tony-winners Julie White and Annaleigh Ashford. Performances begin Oct. 2 at the Cort Theatre.
In this 1995 comic howler, Gurney wrote about a dog who seduces the attentions and affection of a hard-working, middle class husband. The dog will be played by Ashford, whose credits include “Kinky Boots” and “You Can’t Take It With You.”
“Sylvia” was first produced off-Broadway with Sarah Jessica Parker – Broderick’s wife – in the doggie role.
Goodbye to ‘Welcome to Sweden’
U.S. viewers aren’t going to see the love story on TV’s “Welcome to Sweden” play out. NBC has canceled the comedy starring Greg Poehler two weeks into its second season. Poehler’s sister Amy served as one of the executive producers of the series.
“Welcome to Sweden” was an international production, filmed in Sweden with American and Swedish actors. It aired there and in the United States. The premise is based on Greg Poehler’s real-life experience of falling in love with a Swedish woman and moving to her home country to be with her.
NBC says “Hollywood Game Night” will air this Sunday in its place, and the network is deciding when the rest of the episodes will air.
The birthday bunch
Comedian “Professor” Irwin Corey is 101. Actor Robert Fuller is 82. Actor David Warner is 74. Documentary maker Ken Burns is 62. Style guru Tim Gunn (TV: “Project Runway”) is 62. Rock singer Patti Scialfa (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band) is 62. Country singer Martina McBride is 49. Actor Rodney Allen Rippy is 47. Rhythm-and-blues singer Wanya Morris (Boyz II Men) is 42. Hip-hop DJ/music producer Danger Mouse is 38.