Bill Cosby, who has been accused of sexual assault by more than two dozen women, told a woman attending his comedy show in Canada on Thursday night that “you have to be careful about drinking around me,” according to multiple people in the room.
The woman was reportedly getting up from her front-row seat at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario, to get a drink when Cosby asked where she was going. She offered him a drink, according to National Post reporter Richard Warnica and others in attendance.
That’s when Cosby made the crack:
He said no, he already had one (a bottle of water). Then he continued “You have to be careful about drinking around me.”
— Richard Warnica (@richardwarnica) January 9, 2015
Many of Cosby’s accusers have claimed he drugged their drinks.
Depending on who did the tweeting, the audience reaction varied from groans to laughs to both gasps and applause.
I talked to some Cosby fans leaving Budweiser Gardens and they all seemed to find the “be careful what you drink” joke funny. I give up.
— Craig Needles (@NeedlesOnNews) January 9, 2015
The 77-year-old comic was occasionally interrupted by hecklers and protesters:
#BillCosby handles odd heckler by acknowledging them, allowing them a moment to talk, and keeps going. Two minor outbursts so far #local4
— Priya Mann (@Local4Priya) January 9, 2015
Few images have emerged as the arena was enforcing rules against recording the show. One reporter said he was ejected after trying to record video of a protester being led out by police.
I’ve been kicked out of Budweiser Gardens for filming arrest of #Cosby heckler. #LdnOnt
— Dale Carruthers (@DaleatLFPress) January 9, 2015
Before the show, protesters braved freezing temperatures and snow outside the arena:
#UPDATED: Heckler removed from Bill Cosby show in London, Ont. http://t.co/HM2NyODonz pic.twitter.com/hiq0oRHcVY
— CTV Toronto (@CTVToronto) January 9, 2015
Afterward, Cosby released a statement through his publicist:
“Dear Fans: One outburst but over 2600 loyal, patient and courageous fans enjoyed the most wonderful medicine that exist for human-kind. Laughter. I thank you, the theatre staff (Budweiser Gardens), the event organizers and the London, ON Community for your continued honor and support. I’m Far From Finished.”
Cosby has never been charged with a crime.
The performance was the second of three concerts in Ontario, with the final event scheduled to be held Friday night in Hamilton. His next scheduled event after that is Jan. 17 in Denver.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this piece stated that Beverly Johnson had been assaulted by Cosby, but she never made those claims after writing in Vanity Fair that he allegedly drugged her.
