Bill Cosby Hits The Stage For First Time In Years

It's no secret Bill Cosby has had a rocky, scandal-filled few years. With sexual assault accusations, a previous mistrial, and a looming retrial this spring, it's safe to say the comedian isn't out of the woods just yet. For the first time since his sexual assault trial last summer, Cosby graced the stage.

The 80-year-old comedian performed a live set at Philly's LaRose Jazz Club alongside the Tony Williams Jazz Quartet. Cosby's appearance came as a complete surprise to the audience, who welcomed the famed comedian. During his hour long set, a lively Cosby could be seen playing the drums and rattling off jokes about his blindness.

“When you see a blind person walking towards a pole or something, and you speak perfect English, there’s a word called ‘Stop!’ he said. “Not, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.’ … Why is it these grown people can’t talk?”

 Most of Cosbys set material focused on the comedians daily struggles with blindness and growing up poor in North Philadelphia’s Richard Allen housing project  -- with no mention of his current legal troubles -- and who can blame him? Aren't we all allowed to step away from issues that plague us, even if just momentarily.

“This is a great moment for me,” said Cosby when speaking with The Inquirer. After his set, Cosby was swarmed by fans wanting selfies and autographs, very few seemed bothered by the allegations that have swirled around him since 2014.

Cosbys Monday night stop by LaRoses was just one in a string of recent public appearances made by the Philadelphia native in his hometown. He stopped by and had dinner with friends and supporters at La Veranda in Penns Landing and by a barbershop in Lawndale to name a few.

Now while some are calling this an attempt at a comeback for Cosby, others are speculating to whether it is a public relations campaign in advance of his retrial this spring. However, Cosby scoffs at the notions. “I have never really called upon media to show up someplace,” he said, adding, “I just go. When I feel like it, I go.”

 Bill Cosby has been an entertainer for over 50 years. The itch to hit the stage and do what you do best -- make people laugh (in Cosby's case) -- does not just fade away. Cosby's spokesman, Andrew Wyatt, said it best: “This is his life.”