Bill Cosby Refuses To Answer Rape Allegation Questions On NPR's 'Weekend Edition' (Audio)

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The heat has been turned up on Bill Cosby in the wake of renewed allegations of past sexual assaults. Comedian Hannibal Buress reignited the firestorm during his stand-up routine at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia on Thursday, October 23

Hannibal Buress

"And it's even worse because Bill Cosby has the f*cking smuggest old black man public persona that I hate. Pull your pants up, black people. I was on TV in the '80s. I can talk down to you because I had a successful sitcom. Yeah, but you raped women, Bill Cosby," Buress said. "So, brings you down a couple notches. I don't curse on stage. Well, yeah, you're a rapist, so, I'll take you sayin' lots of mo*therf*ckers on Bill Cosby: Himself if you weren't a rapist. …I want to just at least make it weird for you to watch Cosby Show reruns. …I've done this bit on stage, and people don't believe. People think I'm making it up. …That sh*t is upsetting. If you didn't know about it, trust me. You leave here and google 'Bill Cosby rape.' It's not funny. That sh*t has more results than Hannibal Buress."

Barbara Bowman

Actress Barbara Bowman has also been very vocal, alleging that Cosby raped her in her teens

Bowman claims the assaults occurred when she was between the ages of 17-19. She told the Daily Mail they began in 1985. Cosby was supposed to be her mentor, but turned into her tormentor.

I was drugged and raped by that man. He is a monster. He came at me like a monster. My hope is that others who have experienced sexual abuse will not be intimidated into silence by the famous, rich and powerful. If I can help one victim, then I've done my job. I'm finally revealing all of my full story in hopes that others will learn to read the tell-tale signs of abuse and not wait as long as I did. No one believed me for years. They said Bill would never do that. That it was preposterous. But I'm putting my name out there and standing behind these words, just like Burress. No more code of silence. I've been silent too long. It's time to raise a fuss. I'm a real person that this happened to. And it's taken decades to get over what he did to me. I thank Hannibal Burress for speaking out over and over again, despite the threats from the Industry that it could ruin his career. He is standing up for me and the other women who are too afraid to speak out.

Cosby gave an interview to NPR's “Weekend Edition” on Saturday, November 15, and was asked about the allegations, but refused to answer the question.

“This question gives me no pleasure, Mr. Cosby, but there have been serious allegations raised about you in recent days. You’re shaking your head no. I’m in the news business, I have to ask the question. Do you have any response to those charges? Shaking your head no. There are people who love you who may want to hear from you about this. I want to give you the chance.” Cosby stays silent.

The interview follows a social media nightmare on Monday, November 10. The 77-year old actor and comedian asked his Twitter followers to make him an internet meme. Instead of light hearted quotes on Cosby photos, a large majority of those who responded used the opportunity to roast him about allegedly drugging and raping women.

Cosby settled a 2006 rape claim out of court.

In the last week both Queen Latifah and David Letterman have cancelled Cosby appearances on their shows.