Cosby's No Fan Of MTV's Ozzy - Comic says family is 'sad'

Daily News ^ | June 20, 2002 | By STEPHEN BATTAGLIO

[WellsFargo94]

Bill Cosby, who headed America's favorite family in the 1980s on "The Cosby Show," doesn't think much of today's wildly popular reality TV clan, "The Osbournes."

"All of you [media] need to stop with this Ozzy Osbourne," the legendary comedian said in an interview that airs tonight on "Access Hollywood" (WNBC/Ch. 4, 7:30). "This is a sad, sad family. It is a sad case. The children are sad and the parents are sad. And this is not entertainment."

"The Osbournes," which chronicles the home life of the addled heavy metal rocker, his wife and two of their children, became a surprise hit for MTV after its launch in March.

The Osbournes have since become regulars on talk shows, are heavily covered in magazines and have even been praised by conservative politicians who cite them as an example of a loving, united family. They are also guaranteed a $7 million payday from MTV for a second season of episodes.

But Cosby, who portrayed a funny but firm father on the NBC series that was the No. 1 prime-time show for four consecutive years,isn't impressed.

"I'm telling you that ["The Osbournes"] is a sad thing. It's like laughing at Tiny Tim," he said. "It is the kind of entertainment that you look at but wouldn't want in your home. And I don't like to look at things like that."

For those too young to remember, Tiny Tim (Herbert Khaury) was the ghoulish-looking singer and ukulele player who was briefly a TV fixture in the late '60s and had his wedding on "The Tonight Show."

An MTV spokesman had no response to Cosby's remarks.

Cosby is actually an extended member of the MTV family himself these days. Reruns of "The Cosby Show" air in prime time on Nick at Nite, which is part of MTV Networks. The series has become Nick at Nite's highest-rated program.

[WellsFargo94]

I like Ozzy and "The Osbournes", sure the kids could use discipline and structure, but considering Ozzy's background he's doing pretty well as a father. No family is perfect, but Bill Cosby needs to work for the Department of Children and Family Services to see "sad families".

[Maceman]

"Tell Bill (Cosby) I said have a Coke and a smile and shut the f**k up!!"-Eddie Murphy

[SheLion]

If OLD MAN Cosby doesn't like the Osbournes, he doesn't have to watch it.

OLD BILL is a hypocrite! Remember when he paid a hundred grand to shut up Autumn Jackson when he was "seeing" the mother?

I haven't been able to stand OLD BILL ever since. He's a HYPOCRITE.

[ibbryn]

Cosby's wife also blamed "white" America when her son was killed by an kid (a Ukrainian immigrant with a history of crimes) who tried to jack his car.

I'm part of white America and I did NOT kill her son.

[lawdude]

"Bill Cosby, who headed America's favorite family in the 1980s on "The Cosby Show," doesn't think much of today's wildly popular reality TV clan, "The Osbournes." "

Obiously a case of racism! See, it works both ways!

Tongue-in-cheek, of course

[Lower55]

"It is the kind of entertainment that you look at but wouldn't want in your home.

Hey Bill, Do you mean like:

Godzilla

The Cosby Kids

The Cosbys

Judge Judy

Popeye and Pals

[cmsgop]

"The Cos" is a freakin Loon. He is wayyyy out there. I don't remember the details but he had a very,very, Non-Traditional funeral for his son Ennis.

[Sungirl]

Bill Cosby is no angel.

[isthisnickcool]

I've f'ing seen the f'ing Ozzy f'ing show and I don't think the m-f'ing show has had any impact on me. I don't know what the f the big f'ing deal is.

People around me have said maybe I've started to f'ing talk like the that m-f'er Ozzy and his f'ing family.

What the f do you think? /m-f'ing sarcasm off