Bill Cosby Makes Joke About Sexual Abuse Claims

Protesters attempted to shut Bill Cosby's Canada shows down while he reportedly made a joke about his sexual abuse allegations.

Protesters attempted to shut down Bill Cosby's Canada shows while he reportedly made a joke about his sexual abuse allegations during his Thursday performance.

ET Canada captured the protesters on Wednesday blocking the entrance to the Centre In The Square venue in Kitchener where Cosby's show took place.

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"Obviously any big change requires all kinds of voices, all kinds of action," protest organizer Melanie Baker said. "This is the one we chose."

Inside the venue Wednesday, Cosby stuck to his routine and received a standing ovation, despite the ruckus outside.

During Thursday's performance in London, Ontario, several reports claim that the 77-year-old comedian made light of his recent sexual abuse allegations after he called out a woman who told him she was going to get a drink during his performance. He reportedly responded, saying, "You have to be careful about drinking around me."


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reports that the audience gasped at the joke and then applauded. Two men were also reportedly escorted out of the performance after yelling, "We don't love you, Bill. You're a rapist. I'm being ejected because you're a rapist."

Cosby then insisted the audience not acknowledge the outburst, saying, "No, no stop."

Following his Canada performance, Cosby released a statement to ET, saying, "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."

Reporter Richard Warnica of Canada's National Post live-tweeted from the Thursday performance -- offering a play by play of the wild scene.

Psychologist Dr. Cooper Lawrence, the author of The Cult of Celebrity, explained to ET why Cosby would continue with his shows amid allegations that he drugged and sexually assaulted women.

"What's driving him is he's unwilling to acknowledge any of these allegations," Lawrence said. "Instead of hiding -- because if he hides it will make it seem like it is true -- so if he keeps going out and keeps working, it makes it seem like everything is fine."

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Earlier this week, Cosby's on-screen wife Phylicia Rashad stood by the comedian in an exclusive interview with ABC News.

"What I said is, 'This is not about the women. This is about something else. This is about the obliteration of legacy,'" she said of the allegations against her Cosby Show co-star.

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Rashad did not want to speak on the allegations that Cosby had drugged and sexually assaulted women, but according to the 66-year-old actress, the claims seem contradictory to the character of the man she got to know for 12 years on their sitcom.

"He's a genius. He is generous. He is kind. He's inclusive," Rashad said. "What has happened is declaration in the media of guilt without proof."