Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/234603
America's Iconic Comedian Comes to the Crown
by JANICE BURTON
When you think of Bill Cosby, you probably get a smile on your face,
will remember the show, which used sketch comedy to develop grammar
The Cos, as he is affectionately referred to by his friends, is known for
and reading skills. Cosby was joined on the show by Morgan Freeman and
his colorful sweaters, quick humor, quirky
Rita Moreno.
dancing and to some — Jello pudding. Mostly,
Perhaps Cosby's greatest claim to fame
he is known for his comedy, which has kept
occurred during this time, when he introduced
people laughing for more than five decades.
the world to many of his high school friends:
On Thursday Jan. 17, he will bring his style
Weird Harold, Dumb Donald, Mushmouth and,
and humor to the Crown Theatre for a night of
of course, Fat Albert. The highly successful
comedy and storytelling.
Filmation cartoon was a staple of Saturday
Born William H. Cosby Jr., on July 12, 1937,
morning television from 1972 to 1984.
he is a native of Philadelphia, Pa. While known
Through Fat Albert, Cosby taught a generation
for his educational and thought-provoking
about tolerance, how to say no to bullies and
television shows, Cosby quit school following
acceptance of those who are a little different
his sophomore year to join the U.S. Navy.
from you.
While in the Navy, he completed high school via
When Fat Albert wrapped in 1984, Cosby
correspondence courses. Upon completion of
tackled his next big thing, which was the creation
his military service, he was awarded an athletic
of the iconic The Cosby Show, which told the
scholarship to Temple University. At Temple, he
story of Heathcliff Huxtable, his wife Clair, and
worked as a bartender to help pay his expenses.
their children. The Cosby Show was an instant
He was known for his quick wit, and following
success, which stayed at the top of the ratings
the suggestion of his customers, he tried standthroughout its run. It spun off A Different World,
up comedy and was discovered by Carl Reiner.
which was to be a showcase for Lisa Bonet. Set
In ensuing years, he tackled a variety of
on the campus of an historical African-American
mediums to share his quick wit, including
university, the show concentrated on education
stand-up comedy, television, cinema, books and
and young people. The show reflected the social
albums. It was through the making of his comedy
consciousness that imbues Cosby's art.
albums in the early '60s that he earned national
Over the years he has appeared in many films,
acclaim. His award-winning albums introduced
but has not gained the acclaim on the big screen
Funny man Bill Cosby is set to perform at the Crown on Jan. 17. that he did on television. A respected author,
the country to his voice, but it was his role in I
Spy that made him a household name and earned
Cosby is at his best on the stage, which is where
him three Emmy Awards.
Fayetteville residents will have a chance to watch
During this same time, Cosby continued pursuing his education, earning
him shine during his Far From Finished tour. Tickets range in price
a doctorate in education, which helped form the social commentary that
from $40 to $70 and are available via Ticketmaster and at the
was at the heart of much of his work. In the early '70s, he was one of the
Crown Box Office. The show begins at 8
JANICE BURTON, Associate
founding creators of The Electric Company, an educational children's
p.m. For ticket information, visit www.
Publisher, COMMENTS? Ediprogram that operated under the auspices of PBS. Kids raised in the '70s
atthecrown.com.
tor@upandcomingweekly.com.
Sweater Drive Benefits Salvation Army — Huxtable Style
by JANICE BURTON
Dr. Huxtable, played by Bill Cosby on The Cosby Show,
arena, convention center or theatre. Global Spectrum
was seldom seen without a sweater. In conjunction with an
Charities gives back to the community through contributions,
evening with Bill Cosby on Jan. 17, the Crown Center kicks
donations, celebrity and star appearances, and random gifts
off a sweater drive to benefit the Salvation Army.
of kindness on behalf of the company's employees, customers
The Crown Center invites residents of Fayetteville and
and visitors. Global Spectrum Charities is a division of the
surrounding areas to donate new or gently used sweaters
Comcast-Spectacor Charities, the charitable arm of Comcastof all sizes in conjunction with the Jan. 17 appearance of
Spectacor, the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment
comedian Bill Cosby at the Crown Theatre. Each person
firm that is also the parent company of Global Spectrum.
who donates a sweater will have the opportunity to win two
ABOUT GLOBAL SPECTRUM
tickets and a meet-and-greet with Bill Cosby on the night of
Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com