# Academy Kicks out Cosby and Polanski **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 4, 2018, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559 "2018-05-04T07:09:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/1 "2018-05-04T07:09:50Z")
[Film Academy Expels Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski From Membership](http://variety.com/2018/film/awards/film-academy-expels-bill-cosby-and-roman-polanski-from-membership-1202797252/) [Oscars: Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski expelled from Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/bill-cosby-roman-polanski-oscars-expelled-academy-awards-a8335336.html) > [@](#): > > The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which hosts the Oscars has voted to expel U.S. comedian Bill Cosby and director Roman Polanski as members. > > They gathered on Tuesday night to make the decision, SkyNews reports. > > A statement released by the Academy on Tuesday night said: “The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors met on Tuesday night (May 1) and has voted to expel actor Bill Cosby and director Roman Polanski from its membership in accordance with the organisation’s Standards of Conduct. The Board continues to encourage ethical standards that require members to uphold the Academy’s values of respect for human dignity.” ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/2 "2018-05-04T10:42:28Z")
Cosby makes sense, but why wait until now for Polanski? (It looks like the code of conduct was passed in January) I was going to ask about Harvey Weinstein – he was expelled earlier. Brian ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/3 "2018-05-04T11:08:18Z")
Cosby made sense after _Ghost Dad_… ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/4 "2018-05-04T11:29:44Z")
Well it’s about time! For Polanski, anyway. And Cosby had it coming too. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/5 "2018-05-04T11:47:26Z")
I suppose once you’ve expelled Cosby and Weinstein whatever tissue-thin excuse remained for not expelling Polanski was thoroughly shredded. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/6 "2018-05-04T12:42:35Z")
Polanski should have been booted long ago. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/7 "2018-05-04T13:06:05Z")
A couple of questions. I’m assuming that they were waiting to expel Cosby until a guilty verdict was delivered. Until that happened, he was innocent in the eyes of our system. Now, there is an appeals process yet to go. Just for the sake of argument, suppose he won his appeal and once again became “innocent”? Awkward? Also, should an individual’s entire life be invalidated based on just a part of it? He has been a staunch supporter of education throughout his lifetime. He has promoted and financially supported institutions. I think he earned their recognition despite this loathsome chapter of his life. Should he be entirely trashed, invalidated, and thrown away? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/8 "2018-05-04T13:28:05Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > A couple of questions. > > I’m assuming that they were waiting to expel Cosby until a guilty verdict was delivered. Until that happened, he was innocent in the eyes of our system. Now, there is an appeals process yet to go. Just for the sake of argument, suppose he won his appeal and once again became “innocent”? Awkward? > > Also, should an individual’s entire life be invalidated based on just a part of it? He has been a staunch supporter of education throughout his lifetime. He has promoted and financially supported institutions. I think he earned their recognition despite this loathsome chapter of his life. Should he be entirely trashed, invalidated, and thrown away? Not at all, and I’ve made the same argument about Joe Paterno. One can praise him for the good he has done and excoriate him for the bad without requiring one to erase the other. That said, the Academy isn’t airbrushing him from history (although given his filmography it would probably not be a bad thing); they’re just cutting ties. ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/9 "2018-05-04T15:22:40Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Also, should an individual’s entire life be invalidated based on just a part of it? He has been a staunch supporter of education throughout his lifetime. He has promoted and financially supported institutions. I think he earned their recognition despite this loathsome chapter of his life. Should he be entirely trashed, invalidated, and thrown away? It wasn’t just a chapter but his entire life. All the while he was preaching family values, and receiving accolades for his views and public actions, he was also raping women. Cosby’s entire media persona as a loving father figure was based on hypocrisy and lies. I think the destruction of his legacy is entirely justified. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/10 "2018-05-04T15:31:30Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > A couple of questions. > > I’m assuming that they were waiting to expel Cosby until a guilty verdict was delivered. Until that happened, he was innocent in the eyes of our system. Now, there is an appeals process yet to go. Just for the sake of argument, suppose he won his appeal and once again became “innocent”? Awkward? > > Also, should an individual’s entire life be invalidated based on just a part of it? He has been a staunch supporter of education throughout his lifetime. He has promoted and financially supported institutions. I think he earned their recognition despite this loathsome chapter of his life. Should he be entirely trashed, invalidated, and thrown away? Cosby’s entire life is not being invalidated, instead an association expelled him from membership they’d previously granted him. While the criminal justice system must assume innocence until guilt is proven, civil society can choose its own standard for their own associations and the honors granted. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/11 "2018-05-04T15:53:04Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I suppose once you’ve expelled Cosby and Weinstein whatever tissue-thin excuse remained for not expelling Polanski was thoroughly shredded. this sounds right ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/12 "2018-05-04T15:57:17Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > One can praise him for the good he has done and excoriate him for the bad without requiring one to erase the other. Bill Cosby, the funniest rapists I ever knew. Bill Cosby, a rapist who lent support to the education system. Bill Cosby, a rapist who always was willing to help out someone in need. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/13 "2018-05-04T16:11:04Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Bill Cosby, the funniest rapists I ever knew. > Bill Cosby, a rapist who lent support to the education system. > Bill Cosby, a rapist who always was willing to help out someone in need. “…but do they call me ‘Bill Cosby the educator’?” ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/14 "2018-05-04T17:09:16Z")
There’s no fucking excuse. Cosby and Polanski both could have gotten with virtually any woman they wanted, consensually, but they had to resort to using knockout drugs. I am positive that they actually _enjoyed_ the act of knocking the girls out and violating them. I am also positive that a LOT of other famous people did exactly the same thing in the drug-soaked 70s culture of Hollywood and we are about to see others get called out for it. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/15 "2018-05-04T17:52:11Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Also, should an individual’s entire life be invalidated based on just a part of it? He has been a staunch supporter of education throughout his lifetime. He has promoted and financially supported institutions. I think he earned their recognition despite this loathsome chapter of his life. Should he be entirely trashed, invalidated, and thrown away? While I agree with the other posters about this being an ongoing thing with Cosby, my answer to that question is “Yes, if what they have done is sufficiently bad.” Contrition might mitigate that to some degree, but, without it? Fuck 'em. Sure, history still exists. You can’t take that away. But you can stop honoring them. With artists, if you can separate the work from the art, you can still watch it. With Cosby, I definitely can’t–though that’s also because I’ve learned how big a pompous ass he was. I always thought that was part of his comedy. Now that I know it’s real, it sours me on him. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/16 "2018-05-04T17:57:16Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > “…but do they call me ‘Bill Cosby the educator’?” Not entirely apt, since the punchline to that joke is “but you shag one sheep…”. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/17 "2018-05-05T08:45:57Z")
Their memberships only existed in order to make the organization look relevant and/or good. “These guys don’t make us look good anymore, let’s dump them” is all it takes. I know it’s called an “Academy”, but in reality it’s a club. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/18 "2018-05-05T09:14:48Z")
Has the Academy defenestrated Kevin Spacey yet? Maybe if it doesn’t get to court it’s not real. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/19 "2018-05-05T16:02:01Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Has the Academy defenestrated Kevin Spacey yet? Maybe if it doesn’t get to court it’s not real. As far as I remember, Spacey hadn’t been accused of raping anyone. I could be wrong, it seemed like there were a ton of accusations of groping, flashing people, that kind of thing. But I don’t _think_ anyone said he raped them? So definitely a creep, but I wouldn’t put him on the level of Cosby, Polanski or Weinstein. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academy-kicks-out-cosby-and-polanski/813559/20 "2018-05-05T17:59:36Z")
There were definitely some accusations (and they seem credible) of Spacey attempting to force unwanted sexual acts on unwilling or drunk men, including one who I believe was underage. What there isn’t, is a criminal trial. It’s a different situation. I think Spacey possibly has a slight chance at redeeming himself with the proper amends. I don’t think this remotely applies to Cosby if he is convicted.