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Bill Cosby gets standing ovation in Florida

'We love you, Bill Cosby,' shouts woman at college campus performance.

By Mary Papenfuss
Bill Cosby's attorney is calling the mounting accusations of rape against the performer "increasingly ridiculous" (UPI Photo/Michael Bush).
Bill Cosby's attorney is calling the mounting accusations of rape against the performer "increasingly ridiculous" (UPI Photo/Michael Bush). | License Photo

MELBOURNE, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- As the number of women accusing comedian Bill Cosby of sex assault continues to climb and businesses back out of arrangements with him, a Florida college audience gave him not one, but two standing ovations at an appearance.

"We love you, Bill Cosby," one woman shouted.

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It was a much different outcome than expected when an announcer at the Eastern Florida State College stage warned of possible disruptions.

Local radio hosts had offered to pay hecklers $1,000. Instead, the audience gave the comedian a standing ovation when Cosby arrived on stage and at the end of his performance. Only three protesters stood outside, with one holding a sign saying: "Rape is no joke."

It was a change from the kind of reception the comedian has been receiving. Both Netflix dropped a planned special with him and NBC backed out of a TV family sitcom starring Cosby.

The Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and the Virginia Theater in Illinois have also dropped shows scheduled as part of Cosby's stand-up comedy tour.

Thirteen women have accused Cosby of sexual assault, most of which occurred decades ago. Their accounts are similar, with almost all of the women saying they believed they were drugged and raped or otherwise sexually assaulted by him when they were young, many in their teens.

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Cosby reached a settlement in 2006 with one woman after 13 others were prepared to testify against him in the lawsuit, according to court papers.

Cosby's attorney Martin Singer called the accusations "increasingly ridiculous" and a "vilification" of the comedian.

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