The influential black comedian who some credit with resurrecting the sitcom during the 1980s will be bringing his act to UB Thursday night for a sold-out lecture at Alumni Arena.
Bill Cosby, best known as Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," was chosen by undergraduates to be this year's Undergraduate Student Choice Speaker.
"The response is overwhelming," said Student Association president George Pape. "The student-choice speaker is an exiting new addition to the Distinguished Speakers lineup. Students can focus on making sure at least one of the speakers is someone they want to come out and see."
Cosby's lecture sold out of tickets, something that has not happened since former U.S. President Bill Clinton spoke at UB in 2002.
"This event has been sold out for a while," said Director of Conferences and Special Events William Regan. "There's not the usual tension as far as watching ticket sales."
One of the most popular sitcoms in television history, "The Cosby Show" went on the air in 1984 and ran for eight years. On the show, Cosby played a doctor and married father of five guiding his family through daily life.
Cosby also wrote several best-selling books, hosted the television show "Kids Say the Darndest Things" and currently has an animated children's show called "Little Bill."
Cosby is also known for his endorsements of various products such as Kodak film and Jell-o pudding.
In 1997, Cosby's son Ennis was killed outside Los Angeles as he was changing a tire on his car.
Thursday evening, Cosby will wear a UB sweatshirt with the words "Hello Friend" stitched on it. The phrase was a greeting Ennis Cosby often used and is also the name of the foundation Cosby founded with his wife in memory of his son.
According to Regan, Cosby requests similar sweatshirts from every school or corporation at which he speaks.
Regan said Cosby might touch on issues such as education, humanity, race relations and civil rights during his speech.
"He's got a different approach," said Regan. "He doesn't look for what's different in people, he looks for what's common."
Many students said Cosby was a memorable figure during their childhood and they look forward to the lecture.
"I can remember loving him since I was five and I probably loved him before then," said senior psychology major Erica Carlos. "I thought it was great when I heard he was coming to campus."
Liam Gallagher, a senior environmental studies major, has a ticket to Cosby's lecture and might go.
"I don't know, there's also a good Nickel Creek concert downtown that night. Cosby is classic, though," Gallagher said. "He made funny on TV when I was young. Plus, I love Jell-o."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
