MELBOURNE, Fla. — Bill Cosby, the long-revered comedian and TV dad who has come under fire after sexual assault allegations, performed at the King Center in Melbourne Friday night.
Cosby's TV character, Dr. Cliff Huxtable, was one of America's favorite TV dads.
Now at least 10 women have come forward accusing Cosby of forcing himself on them in various ways, and to varying degrees, and sometimes plying them with pills.
The comedian did not say anything to the horde of media packed in front of the King Center.
“He can talk up a storm so I’ll listen to him,” said fan Leo Carter.
As fans lined up and packed into the auditorium for the sold-out show, they had plenty to say about the 77-year-old and the rape accusations surrounding him.
“It’s tough for him right now and I am sure for his family,” said fan Mary Carter.
Wearing sweat pants, Cosby casually took the stage and went right into his act.
He received a standing ovation at the end of the show.
As the show went on, there were a handful of protesters outside the King Center.
“I want to make sure these woman are being listened to and taken seriously,” said protester Julie Lemaitre.
Cosby has refused to answer questions about the accusations and has asked that even his refusal to answer not be broadcast.
Officials with Eastern Florida State College, which operates the King Center in Melbourne, said that several people emailed school officials, condemning the decision to go on with the show.
The performance at the King Center sold out.
School officials said two of the 2,000 people who purchased tickets have asked for refunds.
Some residents said it was the right call to not cancel the show.
"I think he's innocent until proven guilty. I think they should let him have the show," said Melbourne resident Joyce Grover.
"Nobody knows but them," said Melbourne resident George Mitchell. "So much we don't know, so I'd hate to make a judgment and not go to the show because of that."
Melbourne police provided extra security at the venue.
A Florida woman is the latest to accuse Cosby of drugging, then sexually assaulting her.
Therese Serignese said Cosby gave her pills that made her feel groggy then forced himself on her sexually. She says she has no proof but claims the attack took place in 1976 when she was 19.
A Cosby spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on Serignese's allegations, but Cosby attorney Marty Singer issued statements Thursday denying allegations made by the women.
The statement read, in part, “The new, never-before-heard claims from women who have come forward in the past two weeks with unsubstantiated, fantastical stories about things they say occurred 30, 40, or even 50 years ago have escalated far past the point of absurdity."