Phylicia Rashad defends TV husband Bill Cosby as comedian returns to stage

NEW YORK, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Phylicia Rashad, the actress who portrayed Bill Cosby's television wife on both his self-titled sitcoms, has broken her silence on the rape allegations against Cosby, defending the comedian as he prepares to return to the stage for the first time since November.

"Forget these women," Rashad told ShowBiz411 during a promotional lunch for the film Selma at New York's ultra-swanky Metropolitan Club.

"What you're seeing is the destruction of a legacy. And I think it's orchestrated. I don't know why or who's doing it, but it's the legacy. And it's a legacy that is so important to the culture."

Rashad initially resisted questioning, saying "I don't want to become part of the public debate," when asked about Cosby, but eventually came to her former costar's defense when pressed by ShowBiz411 reporter Roger Friedman.

"Someone is determined to keep Bill Cosby off TV. And it's worked. All his contracts have been cancelled."

Since the allegations of sexual assault have come to light, Cosby has seen Netflix cancel its planned comedy special starring the 77-year-old and NBC shut down development discussions for a new Cosby-produced sitcom.

Cosby, meanwhile, will end his solitude from the spotlight Wednesday evening, kicking off the first of three shows in Ontario. After Kitchener, Cosby will travel to London, Ontario for a Thursday show followed by a show in Hamilton on Friday. Cosby has declined all public appearances and cancelled tour dates since November.