Bill Cosby Made An Inappropriate Joke About Women Drinking Around Him

Despite the mounting number of women who have come forward accusing Bill Cosby of sexual assault and/or drugging them, the comedian recently kicked off a series of live shows — his first since November — in Canada. At a performance on Thursday, he made an extremely inappropriate joke to one audience member that led to another person being kicked out of the show.

According to NBC News, "A woman who got up from one of the front rows and walked past the stage was asked by Cosby where she was going. When she answered that she was going to the lobby to grab a drink Cosby responded, 'You have to be careful about drinking around me.'"

This prompted a heckler to yell out that Cosby was a rapist. As the crowd started to boo the heckler, Cosby made a whole production of acting like the bigger person. "No, no, stop," he said, asking the other audience members not to respond to the heckler, who was removed from the theater by a police officer.

Cosby also had his publicist issue a statement about the incident after the show. "Dear Fans: One outburst, but over 2,600 loyal, patient, and courageous fans enjoyed the most wonderful medicine that exist [sic] for human-kind. Laughter. I thank you, the theatre staff (Budweiser Gardens), the event organizers and the London, ON Community for your continued honor and support. I'm Far From Finished," it read.

Based on the shows Cosby has played this week in Canada, the support seems very much in the comedian's favor. According to BBC News, he received standing ovations and the "feeling in the auditorium was friendly."

On the outside of the venues and on Twitter, however, people continue to demand that Cosby be forced to answer for his actions. Protestors outside a show in Ontario held up signs reading "Solidarity with survivors" and "He said: 1; She said: 26+." They asked audience members entering the theater if they were supporting rape by attending the show. A few streets over, Ontario locals held an alternative event to support survivors of sexual assault called "Voices Carry."

Bill Cosby's next show is tonight in Hamilton, Ontario. The venue warns on its website that, "Disruptions to the show by guests will result in immediate removal from the venue and may result in charges being pressed." It does not have a similar warning on the comedian Norm Macdonald's show announcement.