We Need to Talk About Cosby

Last updated
We Need to Talk About Cosby
We Need to Talk About Cosby.jpg
Genre Documentary
Directed by W. Kamau Bell
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producers
  • W. Kamau Bell
  • Andrew Fried
  • Katie A. King
  • Dane Lillegard
  • Jordan Wynn
  • Sarina Roma
  • Vinnie Malhotra
Running time58-60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Showtime
ReleaseJanuary 30 (2022-01-30) –
February 20, 2022 (2022-02-20)

We Need to Talk About Cosby is an American documentary miniseries directed and produced by W. Kamau Bell. It explores the life and career of Bill Cosby up to his sexual assault cases, through conversations with comedians, journalists, and survivors. It premiered on January 30, 2022, on Showtime. [1]

Contents

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byOriginal air date  [2] U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Part 1" W. Kamau Bell January 30, 2022 (2022-01-30)0.166 [3]
2"Part 2"W. Kamau BellFebruary 6, 2022 (2022-02-06) [a] 0.184 [5]
3"Part 3"W. Kamau BellFebruary 13, 2022 (2022-02-13) [b] 0.126 [6]
4"Part 4"W. Kamau BellFebruary 20, 2022 (2022-02-20) [c] 0.145 [7]

Release

The series had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2022. [8] [9] It was released on January 30, 2022, on Showtime. [10]

Reception

Critical reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 99% of 69 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.5/10.The website's consensus reads: "W. Kamau Bell deftly unpacks the Cosby scandal by allowing the conversation to be uncomfortable, yielding a robust examination of the disgraced entertainer and the culture that enabled him." [11] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the series a score of 83 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". [12]

Cosby's response

A representative for Cosby issued the following statement days prior to the premiere:

"Mr. Cosby has spent more than 50 years standing with the excluded; made it possible for some to be included; standing with the disenfranchised; and standing with those women and men who were denied respectful work because of race and gender within the expanses of the entertainment industries, continues to be the target of numerous media that have, for too many years, distorted and omitted truths... intentionally. Mr. Cosby vehemently denies all allegations waged against him, Let's talk about Bill Cosby. He wants our nation to be what it proclaims itself to be: a democracy." [13] [14]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
2022
 Peabody Awards Documentary honoreeWe Need to Talk About CosbyWon [15]
Black Reel Awards for Television Outstanding Television Documentary or Special We Need to Talk About CosbyWon [16]
Cinema Eye Honours Outstanding Nonfiction SeriesNominated [17] [18]
Outstanding Broadcast EditingMeg RamsayWon
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards Best Limited Documentary SeriesWe Need to Talk About CosbyNominated [19]
Gotham Independent Film Awards Breakthrough Nonfiction Series Won [20]
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Streaming Docuseries or Non-Fiction SeriesWon [21]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series W. Kamau Bell, Andrew Fried, Katie A King, Vinnie Malhotra, Dane Lillegard, Sarina Roma, Jordan Wynn, Geraldine L. Porras, and Erik AdolphsonNominated [22]
Outstanding Narrator W. Kamau Bell (for "Part 1")Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program Nominated
Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program Meg Ramsay and Jennifer Brooks (for "Part 1")Nominated
Television Critics Association Awards Outstanding Achievement in News and Information We Need to Talk About CosbyNominated [23] [24]

Notes

  1. ↑ Part 2 was released on Showtime's on-demand and streaming platforms on January 30, 2022, ahead of its weekly premiere. [4]
  2. ↑ Part 3 was released on Showtime's on-demand and streaming platforms on January 30, 2022, ahead of its weekly premiere. [4]
  3. ↑ Part 4 was released on Showtime's on-demand and streaming platforms on January 30, 2022, ahead of its weekly premiere. [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Documentary Now!</i> American mockumentary television series on IFC

Documentary Now! is an American mockumentary television series created by Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, and Rhys Thomas, and premiered on August 20, 2015, on IFC. Armisen and Hader star in many episodes, and Thomas and Alex Buono co-direct most episodes. Hosted by Helen Mirren, the series spoofs celebrated documentary films by parodying the style of each documentary with a similar, but fictitious, subject. The third season premiered on February 20, 2019. On April 8, 2019, the series was renewed for a fourth season, which premiered on October 19, 2022 and was also released on AMC+.

<i>Better Things</i> (TV series) American comedy-drama television series

Better Things is an American comedy drama television series created by Pamela Adlon and Louis C.K. for FX, starring Adlon as a divorced actress who raises her three daughters on her own. FX gave a 10-episode order on August 7, 2015. The series premiered on September 8, 2016. The series was renewed for a fifth and final season which premiered on February 28, 2022. The series concluded on April 25, 2022.

<i>Dark Net</i> (TV series) Documentary series

Dark Net is an American documentary television series created by Mati Kochavi that explores the dark web and technology, and themes such as biohacking, cyber-kidnapping, digital warfare, online cults, pornography addiction, and webcam strippers. The series premiered on January 21, 2016, on Showtime, with the first season consisting of eight episodes. Its second season, consisting of eight episodes, premiered on April 6, 2017.

<i>Escape at Dannemora</i> 2018 television miniseries

Escape at Dannemora is an American crime drama television limited series that premiered on Showtime on November 18, 2018. It is based on the 2015 Clinton Correctional Facility escape. The seven-episode series was created and written by Brett Johnson and Michael Tolkin and directed by Ben Stiller. It stars Benicio del Toro, Patricia Arquette, Paul Dano, Bonnie Hunt, Eric Lange, and David Morse.

<i>The Chi</i> American drama television series

The Chi is an American drama television series created by Lena Waithe about life in a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. It premiered on Showtime on January 7, 2018. In August 2022, the series was renewed for a sixth season. On June 21, 2023, it was announced that the sixth season would consist of 16 episodes split into two parts. Part 1 premiered on August 6, 2023, and part 2 premiered on May 12, 2024. In May 2024, the series was renewed for a seventh season.

City on a Hill is an American crime drama television series created by Charlie MacLean, based on a story by Ben Affleck and MacLean. The series stars Kevin Bacon, Aldis Hodge, Amanda Clayton, Cathy Moriarty, Kevin Dunn, and Jill Hennessy. The series premiered on June 7, 2019 (online) and June 16, 2019 (Showtime). On August 2, 2019, Showtime renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on March 28, 2021. On June 2, 2021, the series was renewed for a third season which premiered on July 31, 2022. On October 27, 2022, Showtime cancelled the series after three seasons.

<i>What We Do in the Shadows</i> (TV series) American comedy horror television series

What We Do in the Shadows is an American comedy horror mockumentary fantasy television series created by Jemaine Clement, first broadcast on FX on March 27, 2019. The series follows four vampire roommates on Staten Island, and stars Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, and Kristen Schaal.

<i>Black Monday</i> (TV series) American historical dark comedy television series

Black Monday is an American historical dark comedy television series created by Jordan Cahan and David Caspe that premiered on January 20, 2019, on Showtime. The series stars Don Cheadle, Andrew Rannells, Regina Hall, Casey Wilson, and Paul Scheer, and follows the employees of second-tier Wall Street trading firm the Jammer Group during the year leading up to "Black Monday", the day when international stock markets crashed in 1987. In April 2019, the series was renewed for a second season that premiered on March 15, 2020. In October 2020, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on May 23, 2021. In January 2022, the series was cancelled after three seasons.

How To with John Wilson is an American television comedy docuseries created by filmmaker John Wilson. The series, executive produced by Nathan Fielder, Michael Koman and Clark Reinking, was ordered by HBO. It premiered on October 23, 2020.

We're Here is a HBO reality television series featuring former Drag Race contestants, documenting the drag queens as they travel across the United States to recruit small-town residents to participate in one-night-only drag shows. The show premiered on April 23, 2020.

<i>Work in Progress</i> (TV series) 2019 American sitcom created by Abby McEnany

Work in Progress is an American comedy-drama television series produced by Showtime that premiered on December 8, 2019. The series was created by Abby McEnany and Tim Mason, written and executive produced by McEnany, Mason, and Lilly Wachowski, and directed by Mason. Work in Progress stars McEnany in a semi-autobiographical role alongside Karin Anglin, Celeste Pechous, Julia Sweeney, and Theo Germaine. The entire series was written, filmed, and post-produced in Chicago.

<i>Love Fraud</i> American true crime documentary miniseries

Love Fraud is an American true crime documentary television miniseries, directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, about the hunt for a serial romance scammer. It premiered on August 30, 2020, on Showtime.

<i>Ziwe</i> (talk show) American late-night talk show

Ziwe is an American satirical late-night talk show hosted and executive produced by comedian Ziwe Fumudoh based in New York City. The show premiered on May 9, 2021, on Showtime.

Somebody Somewhere is an American comedy drama television series starring Bridget Everett that was created by Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen. Set in Manhattan, Kansas, the series follows Sam (Everett) as she returns to her hometown and navigates life after the death of her sister.

<i>The First Lady</i> (American TV series) American anthology drama television series

The First Lady is an American anthology drama television series created by Aaron Cooley which premiered on Showtime on April 17, 2022. It stars Michelle Pfeiffer, Viola Davis, and Gillian Anderson, among others, and portrays life and family events of three First Ladies of the United States: Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Michelle Obama. The series received mixed reviews, with praise for Pfeiffer, Davis and Anderson's performances, as well as the costuming, set design, and themes, but criticism for its pacing and plot. In August 2022, the series was canceled after one season. The show premiered on some PBS stations, syndicated by American Public Television on October 1, 2024.

<i>The Patrick Star Show</i> American animated television series

The Patrick Star Show is an American animated television series that premiered on Nickelodeon on July 9, 2021. It is a spin-off of the series SpongeBob SquarePants, which was created by Stephen Hillenburg. It follows Patrick Star as he hosts a talk show at his family home with the support of his family. The series was developed by Luke Brookshier, Marc Ceccarelli, Andrew Goodman, Kaz, Mr. Lawrence, and Vincent Waller.

<i>The Wonder Years</i> (2021 TV series) 2021 American television sitcom

The Wonder Years is an American coming-of-age comedy television series developed by Saladin K. Patterson that aired from September 22, 2021, to August 16, 2023, on ABC. Inspired by the 1988 series of the same title, it stars Elisha "EJ" Williams as Dean Williams, and follows his life as he grows up in Montgomery, Alabama, in the late 1960s. Don Cheadle lends his voice as the narrator for the series as the adult counterpart of Dean. In May 2022, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on June 14, 2023. In September 2023, the series was cancelled after two seasons.

<i>Dexter: New Blood</i> American crime drama mystery miniseries

Dexter: New Blood is an American crime drama mystery television miniseries developed for Showtime as a continuation of the series Dexter, developed by original series showrunner, Clyde Phillips, and directed by Marcos Siega. The show features Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter reprising their roles as Dexter and Debra Morgan, respectively, alongside new cast members Jack Alcott, Julia Jones, Johnny Sequoyah, Alano Miller, and Clancy Brown. The story is set ten years after the events of the original series finale, "Remember the Monsters?", which was broadcast in 2013. It premiered on Showtime on November 7, 2021.

Super Pumped is an American anthology drama television series created by Brian Koppelman and David Levien, named for the 2019 nonfiction book of the same name by Mike Isaac. The first installment, subtitled The Battle For Uber, is based on Isaac's book and centers on the rise and fall of former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Also starring Kyle Chandler, Uma Thurman, and Elisabeth Shue, it premiered on Showtime on February 27, 2022. Ahead of the series premiere, the series was renewed for a second season, based on a separate forthcoming book by Mike Isaac about Facebook.

<i>George & Tammy</i> US television series

George & Tammy is an American biographical drama miniseries created by Abe Sylvia and directed by John Hillcoat, which premiered on Paramount Network, Showtime and CMT on December 4, 2022, with Showtime as its primary network. It stars Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon as country musicians Tammy Wynette and George Jones, chronicling their tumultuous relationship and intertwined careers.

References

  1. ↑ Grobar, Matt (January 19, 2022). "Showtime Unveils New 'We Need To Talk About Cosby' Trailer Ahead Of W. Kamau Bell Docuseries' Sundance Premiere". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. ↑ "We Need to Talk About Cosby". The Futon Critic . Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  3. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (February 1, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Sunday 1.30.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 "We Need to Talk About Cosby". Showtime . 30 January 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  5. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (February 8, 2022). "Showbuzz Daily's Sunday 2.6.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  6. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (February 15, 2022). "Showbuzz Daily's Sunday 2.6.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  7. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (February 23, 2022). "Showbuzz Daily's Sunday 2.20.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  8. ↑ "We Need to Talk About Cosby". Sundance Film Festival . Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  9. ↑ Lang, Brent (December 9, 2021). "Sundance Unveils 2022 Feature Lineup, Including Films From Lena Dunham, Amy Poehler and Netflix's Kanye West Doc". Variety . Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  10. ↑ Yuma, Jennifer (December 20, 2021). "Showtime Documentary Films Announces 'We Need To Talk About Cosby' Premiere Date (TV News Roundup)". Variety. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  11. ↑ "We Need to Talk About Cosby: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  12. ↑ "We Need to Talk About Cosby: Season 1". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  13. ↑ Legaspi, Althea (January 26, 2022). "Bill Cosby Responds to 'PR Hack' W. Kamau Bell on Damning New Series". Rolling Stone . Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  14. ↑ Towers, Andrea (January 26, 2022). "Bill Cosby responds to accusations in We Need to Talk About Cosby docuseries, rep calls director a 'PR hack'". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  15. ↑ Voyles, Blake (September 6, 2023). "83rd Peabody Award Winners" . Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  16. ↑ Tinoco, Armando (August 15, 2022). "Black Reel TV Awards: Quinta Brunson & 'Abbott Elementary' Lead Winners List". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  17. ↑ Carey, Matthew (October 20, 2022). "Cinema Eye Honors: 'Four Hours At The Capitol,' 'The Beatles: Get Back' Lead First Round Of Nominations For Documentary Awards Show". Deadline . Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  18. ↑ MacCary, Julia; Shafer, Ellise (January 12, 2023). "'All That Breathes,' 'Fire of Love' Lead Cinema Eye Honors". Variety . Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  19. ↑ Davis, Clayton (October 17, 2022). "'Fire of Love' and 'Good Night Oppy' Lead Critics Choice Documentary Award Nominations". Variety . Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  20. ↑ Shanfield, Ethan (October 25, 2022). "'Tár' Leads Gotham Awards Nominations: Full List". Variety . Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  21. ↑ Verhoeven, Beatrice (2022-07-07). "'This Is Us,' 'Succession,' 'Severance' Lead 2022 HCA TV Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
  22. ↑ Moreau, Jordan (July 12, 2022). "Emmys 2022: Complete Nominations List". Variety . Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  23. ↑ Cordero, Rosy (June 16, 2022). "'Abbott Elementary' Scores Most TCA Award Nods; 'Squid Game' & 'Only Murders In The Building' Also Among Honorees". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  24. ↑ Hailu, Selome (August 6, 2022). "'Abbott Elementary' Tops 2022 TCA Awards". Variety . Retrieved August 6, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.