Recap: ‘Cosby: The Women Speak’ finds its voice

The A&E special “Cosby: The Women Speak” may not bring much new information to the conversation surrounding the sexual assault accusations levied against comedy legend Bill Cosby, but it does something much more profound: It gives the women involved a voice.

For individuals who have followed the Cosby scandal since Hannibal Burress’ joke about the forgotten allegations went viral in October 2014, nothing in the special, which aired Thursday night, will come as much of a surprise. However, for those who grew fatigued by the seemingly endless stream of new revelations, “Cosby” provides a concise overview.

The special features more than a dozen of Cosby’s accusers, who speak for themselves. It’s no surprise that this is the most powerful element the program has going for it, but what is shocking is how moving a simple pattern can be.

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As each woman speaks, certain words and situations repeat. Cosby wanted to assist with their career, inviting them to his place. Next, the suggestion of an improv exercise that requires the women to act drunk, followed by the offer of a drink, sometimes alcoholic, sometimes otherwise, to help them relax. Finally, the grogginess once the drink is accepted.

Many of them women speak of keeping the incidents secret, fearing their story would be aggressively questioned and challenged. Cosby was, after all, America’s father figure, starring as good-natured obstetrician and father of five Cliff Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.”

“Who’s gonna believe me,” weeps Chelan Lasha, just 17 at the time of her alleged assault in 1986. “I’m just a high school student.”

More than 40 women have accused Cosby of sexual assault. The comedian, who was not interviewed in this special, has unequivocally denied the allegations and has never been charged with a crime.

FULL COVERAGE: Bill Cosby sex assault allegations

The model Beverly Johnson was in her 30s when she alleges her assault took place. She said she was invited to audition for a potentially recurring role on “The Cosby Show” before alleging she was drugged by Cosby.

“I was so disappointed. It was like a family member had done something to me. I knew that the kind of person I was dealing with would destroy me.”

Though thought-provoking, the special is far from perfect. Where it have likely would been most effective to let the women’s stories stand for themselves, “Cosby” depends on unnecessary narration that lends the program an unwarranted air of lasciviousness. That, combined with cross-cutting of headlines and Gloria Allred press conferences robs the special of gravitas and ends up occasionally teetering into sensationalism.

More than anything, what “Cosby: The Women Speak” offers is insight into what this process has looked like for the accusers. From the indignity of only having their accusations acknowledged when a man joked about them to finding sorority within the idea that they may no longer have to live in self-imposed isolation because the world found their claims too outlandish.

It’s a special that offers hope, not because vindication is assured or justice will be served, but through the idea that there is freedom in being able to share your truth, whether anyone believes you or not.

libby.hill@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter at @midwestspitfire.

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