‘The Cosby Show’ Is Heading Back To Television By ‘Popular Demand’

Bill Cosby‘s image as America’s Dad was shattered when scores of women claimed in 2015 that they were drugged and sexually assaulted by the comedian over the course of 40 years. The shocking scandals resulted in The Cosby Show reruns getting yanked off television with Bounce TV, BET and TV Land pulling the show from their networks. It was a stance fans of the classic ’80s program opposed as they felt Cosby’s alleged deplorable acts had no bearing on the show they loved so much. Now, a year and a half later, Bounce TV is ready to air The Cosby Show again.

Starting December 19, Cosby Show fans can tune in to Bounce TV to watch the ’80s show that helped bring NBC back from the dead. The network reportedly explained their decision came as a result of “careful research and evaluation.” Apparently, Bounce TV’s “Bouncers” wanted to see the show back on the air. The network claims their research found that its viewers differentiated Bill Cosby, the alleged rapist, and Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, the loving family man. Hopefully, they don’t re-air the now creepy AF secret sauce episode.

Coincidentally, the news comes just as Hulu pulled the show from its website two weeks ago. However, unlike the networks, their decision wasn’t the result of the sex scandals. Hulu’s 2011 contract with Cosby Show producers Carsey Werner Television simply expired and it wasn’t renewed.

Cosby reruns getting back on the air is good news for the show’s actors. Malcolm-Jamal Warner who played Theo Huxtable said pulling the reruns off the tube meant missing out on some sweet, sweet residuals. “It’s literally taking money out of my pocket,” Warner said on The Real earlier this year. “So I got my own personal feelings about that, because it personally affects me.”

As for Bill Cosby, he’s set to stand trial June 2017 in the sexual assault case involving Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee.